Using Cigna Health Insurance for Addiction Treatment in Connecticut

What Is Cigna Health Insurance?

Cigna Healthcare is a global insurance company serving over 200 countries.² With an expansive network of 1.65 million hospitals and healthcare providers, Cigna prioritizes exceptional healthcare that puts each member’s needs first.² Along with dental and supplemental insurance, Cigna provides top-quality health insurance, including substance use and mental health disorder coverage.¹

The ACA requires all health insurance plans to cover medically necessary SUD and mental health care, like medical detox, co-occurring disorder treatment, and outpatient services, to some extent.³ Still, the level of Cigna rehab coverage you receive varies depending on your specific plan.

Connecticut Cigna Health Insurance Plans

Cigna offers individual, family, employer, Medicaid, and Medicare plans throughout Connecticut.⁴  Cigna health plans are divided into different “metal plans” that vary in price, coverage, copays, and deductibles.⁵ For example, the Bronze plan is the most affordable and covers 60% of healthcare costs, while the Platinum plan is the most expensive but covers 90% of costs. Here are Cigna’s health plan tiers:⁵

• Bronze
• Silver
• Gold
• Platinum

What Types of Addiction Treatment Does Cigna Cover in Connecticut

Cigna may cover multiple types of addiction treatment in Connecticut to some extent. Addiction treatment looks different for everyone, so many levels of care are available to meet your unique needs.⁶ Starting treatment in detox to safely withdraw from substances under medical supervision is necessary for some.⁶ Many then transition to another level of care after detox or start treatment in inpatient rehab or outpatient programs.

Inpatient and residential rehab provide a safe space to live and receive 24/7 continuous care while in recovery.⁶ With outpatient programs, you live at home while getting treatment.⁶ Outpatient programs offer similar approaches to inpatient rehab but vary in intensity, from less-structured care to in-depth.⁶

Several addiction aftercare services, like sober living homes, 12-Step groups, and ongoing counseling, are also available to keep you focused on sobriety and promote long-term recovery.⁶  Your Cigna coverage for each level of care will vary depending on your specific health plan and whether treatment is deemed medically necessary.

Does Cigna Cover Mental Health in Connecticut?

Cigna also covers mental health care in Connecticut to some degree. People fighting addiction may struggle with various co-occurring mental health conditions.⁶ Co-occurring disorders can develop in different ways. Some form addictions by trying to alleviate mental health symptoms with drugs or alcohol.⁷  Others develop mental health disorders from prolonged substance use.⁷ 

Either way, mental health professionals recommend treating both illnesses at once to promote long-term recovery.⁶ Here are some common mental health disorders that co-occur with addiction:⁸

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Panic disorder
• Borderline personality disorder

What Types of Addiction Therapies Does Cigna Cover?

Therapy is typically a core service in SUD treatment to help you understand the underlying causes of your addiction and build relapse-prevention skills.⁶ Since everyone has unique situations, specialists use various types of addiction therapies. Many focus on recognizing and changing behaviors, treatment engagement, and coping with trauma.⁶ Your Cigna insurance may cover the following common addiction therapies:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Contingency management (CM)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Motivation interviewing (MI)
• Family therapy
• Matrix model

Other Insurances That Cover Addiction Rehab

Other insurance companies will also cover at least some of the cost of your addiction treatment. These insurance companies include:

• Aetna.
• Humana.
• Kaiser Permanente.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Other Options to Pay for Addiction Treatment in Connecticut

Figuring out how to pay for treatment without insurance can be overwhelming. But it shouldn’t deter you from seeking potentially life-changing care. Thankfully, there are many other options to pay for addiction treatment in Connecticut, so you can still get the help you need.

Many pay for treatment out of pocket with cash, credit, or loans. Several organizations, like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), provide grants or scholarships to cover treatment costs.⁹ Some facilities also offer flexible payment options like sliding fee scales, which determine your treatment costs by income. Connecticut has state-funded and free rehabs through the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services that can be free or low cost, depending on your ability to pay.¹⁰

If you or a loved one are struggling, know that you are not alone. Get started on your recovery right now with our free rehab locator tool, where you can find addiction treatment facilities that take insurance, inpatient rehabs, outpatient rehab programs, and much more.