Join Our Network: Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I join CIGNA's behavioral network?
- What is the Online Screening Form?
- What should I have on hand before starting the Online Screening Form?
- What are your minimum credentialing requirements?
- How do you make your contracting decisions?
- When will I know if I will be extended a contract?
- What is "credentialing" and how long does the credentialing process take?
- What is CAQH?
- What happens after I complete the Online Screening Form? Am I considered in network?
- What is the difference between an individual practitioner and a clinic practitioner?
- What is the difference between a Clinic and a Facility?
- I am joining a Clinic that is contracted with CIGNA's behavioral network; will I automatically be considered in network?
- I am a clinic practitioner; how do I get the CIGNA behavioral provider ID for my Clinic?
- Can I see CIGNA members once I have returned my materials and begun the credentialing process?
- I'm an individual practitioner; can I choose which service locations I want to be considered in network?
How do I join CIGNA's behavioral network?
All individual and clinic practitioners are required to complete the Online Screening Form.
Your application will be reviewed by our staff to make sure you meet our minimum credentialing requirements and other criteria. Once a decision has been made you will be notified in writing.The Online Screening Form cannot be used by Clinics and Facilities to join CIGNA's behavioral network. Clinic and Facility representatives should contact your state's Network Development Specialist (for Clinics) or Provider Relations Representative (for Facilities) to inquire about joining the network.
What is the Online Screening Form?
The Online Screening Form is a tool designed for individual and clinic practitioners to apply to join CIGNA's behavioral network. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete and must be completed online. You cannot save it and come back to finish at a later date, so we recommend that you have some information on hand prior to starting: What you'll need to start.
The Online Screening Form cannot be used by Clinics and Facilities to join CIGNA's behavioral network.
Clinic and Facility representatives should contact
your state's Network Development Specialist (for Clinics) or Provider Relations Representative (for Facilities) to inquire about joining the network. Note: the Online Screening Form is not the same as the CAQH credentialing application.
More information on CAQH and the credentialing process.
What should I have on hand before starting the Online Screening Form?
Please have the following information on hand before accessing the Online Screening Form:
- A previously completed credentialing application (if you have one, for reference)
- A copy of your:
- State License
- DEA Certificate (for prescribers only)
- IRS Form W-9/Tax ID information
- Malpractice insurance face sheet
- Your National Practitioner Identifier (NPI) number (if you have one)
- Your CAQH number (if you have one)
- Your demographic information:
- Service location(s) and contact numbers (individual practitioners only)
- Provider ID(s) for the clinic location(s) where you will practice (clinic practitioners only)
- Mailing address
- Billing address(es) and phone number (individual practitioners only)
- For Psychiatrists (if applicable):
- American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology information (Subspecialty and Expiration Date)
- American Osteopathic Association information (Subspecialty and Expiration Date)
- American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Information
- DEA Waiver # for Buprenorphine/Suboxone Outpatient Treatment
What are your minimum credentialing requirements?
In order to participate in CIGNA's behavioral network, all practitioners must meet the following minimum credentialing requirements:
- A license to practice independently (without supervision) in the state in which you are providing services;
- Professional Liability Insurance with minimum limits of:
- $1 million/$3 million for Physicians and Psychiatric Nurses with prescriptive authority, or
- $1 million/$1 million for all other practitioners (note: practitioners in FL and TX should contact their state's Network Development Specialist to review the standards).
How do you make your contracting decisions?
The decision to extend a contract is based upon:
- Whether or not you meet the minimum credentialing requirements (see above)
- How many practitioners we already have in your area
- Whether or not you offer a service or specialty that is not well represented in your area
- Any applicable state laws, such as those states with "Any Willing Provider" legislation
When will I know if I will be extended a contract?
Decisions to extend a contract will be made within 30 days of completion of the Online Screening Form. You will be notified in writing of our contracting decision.
What is "credentialing" and how long does the credentialing process take?
Credentialing is the process by which we complete a primary source verification of your training, education, license, etc. CIGNA uses CAQH to credential providers. After the verification process is completed, the Credentialing Committee reviews the materials to confirm that you meet our standards for quality. The process is completed within 120 days following our receipt of the completed application materials, although the process generally takes 60-90 days. Note: the Online Screening Form is not the same as the CAQH credentialing application.
More information on CAQH and on the Online Screening Form.
What is CAQH?
The Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH) is a nonprofit alliance of health plans and trade associations that strives to simplify healthcare
administration. They have developed the Universal Provider Datasource which eliminates the need for practitioners to fill out multiple credentialing applications by
allowing practitioners to create and maintain a single credentialing application online. For more information, please see the CAQH website.
Note: the CAQH credentialing application is not the same as the Online Screening Form.
More information on the Online Screening Form and on the credentialing process.
What happens after I complete the Online Screening Form? Am I considered in network?
After you complete the Online Screening Form a determination will be made whether or not a contract will be extended.
If a contract is extended, you will receive via mail a contracting packet and information about credentialing through CAQH. If you have never used CAQH you will need to register and complete a credentialing application. If you have already registered with CAQH, you will need to log in to update your application and give us access. The letter will explain what you need to do.
Once we receive all of the necessary contracting materials back and the credentialing processes are complete, you will be considered in network.
More information on CAQH and the credentialing process.
What is the difference between an individual practitioner and a clinic practitioner?
Individual practitioners are practitioners that have their own private practice where they perform outpatient behavioral services. They usually have their own Tax ID Number and they have a contract that is unique to them.
Clinic practitioners provide outpatient behavioral care at a Clinic that is already in CIGNA's behavioral network. They practice under the Clinic's CIGNA Agreement instead of having their own unique agreement and they utilize the Clinic's Tax ID Number for billing purposes.
What is the difference between a Clinic and a Facility?
A Clinic is a multidisciplinary group of outpatient practitioners that provide outpatient services under the Clinic's CIGNA Agreement and they utilize the Clinic's Tax ID Number for billing purposes.
A Facility is an entity that offers behavioral health levels of care greater than or equal to Intensive Outpatient services.
I am joining a Clinic that is contracted with CIGNA's behavioral network; will I automatically be considered in network?
No, all practitioners of outpatient services must be individually credentialed to be listed as contracted. A Clinic contract does not eliminate the requirement for individual credentialing.
I am a clinic practitioner; how do I get the CIGNA behavioral provider ID for my Clinic?
You can get your Clinic's CIGNA behavioral provider ID from your Clinic or you can contact your state's Network Development Specialist.
Can I see CIGNA members once I have returned my materials and begun the credentialing process?
After we receive your completed contract materials and CAQH application, the primary source verification process will begin. During this time, you could be treated as in network for some lines of business and may receive referrals for some CIGNA members. Prior to seeing a member, you should contact us using the phone number on the back of their insurance card to confirm eligibility and benefits, as well as your status for their benefit plan.
I'm an individual practitioner; can I choose which service locations I want to be considered in network?
No, the CIGNA behavioral health network practitioner agreement is not specific to location and/or Tax ID Numbers, but rather is a contract with you as an individual practitioner. If a contract is extended, you will be considered in network at all places of service.
Please contact us if you have further questions.
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