Drug & Alcohol Rehab Covered by Cigna Insurance

Cigna is a global health services company operated in more than 30 countries.¹ With Cigna coverage, you can access quality medical and behavioral health care when you need it. This article will cover how to use your Cigna coverage for rehab and how to confirm your benefits today.

Does Cigna Insurance Cover Drug & Alcohol Rehab?

Cigna does provide insurance coverage for behavioral health care, including substance use disorder treatment.

With the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, most health insurance plans must cover substance abuse treatment services at similar rates that they cover surgical and medical procedures. The ACA also mandated that most insurance plans must provide coverage for preexisting conditions, so if you were living with addiction before beginning your current Cigna plan, you should be able to receive coverage for treatment.²

Coverage amounts vary by plan. If you have questions about your insurance, you can call the number on the back of your card or read your summary of benefits for your plan. Alternatively, for an immediate verification of your benefits, you can

How Much Does Rehab Cost with Cigna Insurance?

Plan benefits differ, so the cost of rehab with Cigna can vary widely by which plan you hold. For example, some plans may have low monthly premiums but higher and , while others may have higher premiums but more robust coverage and lower out-of-pocket costs. The providers rates and your specific plan’s coverage will determine the exact cost of your care.

Insurance can confusing, and it may be challenging to understand on your own what your estimated costs will be. You don’t have to do it alone. A good treatment provider will help break down the costs for you so you know what to expect.

Many facilities also have flexible payment options such as loans or financing that they can discuss with you if you don’t have insurance, are under-insured, or are wondering about ways to cover your out-of-pocket expenses.

How to Use Cigna to Pay for Addiction Treatment

How you use your Cigna coverage for treatment may depend on your plan. For example, your plan may require a primary care provider (PCP) to coordinate your treatment. This means that you would need a referral from the PCP for a specialty service such as addiction treatment. Other plans may allow you to seek out treatment without a referral.³

Regardless of whether you need a referral, it is very likely you will need prior authorization for detox or rehab. This means that Cigna has to evaluate the potential treatment, ensure it is medically necessary, and approve it prior to you beginning your care. Beginning a treatment program without obtaining prior authorization may result in Cigna denying payment for the service. An in-network addiction treatment facility will be able to work with Cigna to get prior authorization. If you go out of network, you may need to obtain the prior authorization on your own.⁴

Benefits of Cigna Coverage for Addiction Treatment

Substance abuse in Nevada is a growing problem. Consider the following statistics:^5,6

• In 2020, an estimated 23% of Nevada residents had misused prescription drugs or used illicit drugs in the previous year.
• In 2020, Nevada’s rate of non-medical opioid medication use (6.9%) surpassed the national average (5.7%).
• At more than 38%, Nevada’s rate of cannabis use was significantly higher than the national rate of 20% in 2020.
• Near the end of 2020, Nevada was placed on “red alert” after the state saw a 50% rise in opioid-related overdose deaths from the first quarter of the year to the second.

For those who are struggling in the Silver State, Cigna provides a way to find affordable care in Nevada and in nearby regions. If you would like to discuss how to use your Cigna coverage for treatment, you can call us to speak to an admissions navigator who can assist you in understanding your benefits and provide you with some information about our admissions process.