How can I get into counseling?
All you need to do is call the toll-free number on your insurance ID
card. We will assist you in maximizing your benefits. There is no
hassle or paperwork for services provided by an in-network provider.
Your behavioral health professional will take care of all ongoing
authorizations (if required), forms and claims processing.
Can I call and talk to a "live" person if I have questions?
CBH staff are available 24 hours a day to help obtain information on anything from urgent clinical needs to Work/Life issues, and would be happy to help with any needs you have. Also, if you have CBH's employee assistance (EAP) or integrated programs, continue to call CBH first to gain full access to your available benefits and the help of our Personal Advocates.
Why would my primary care physician recommend
that I see a psychiatrist?
Perhaps your primary care physician is seeking a
second opinion. Or maybe he/she is making this
recommendation so that you can get the help you
need from a more specialized doctor.
Don't be afraid to ask your primary care
physician about the recommendation and how he/she
intends to treat this specific issue.
We recommend that you sign a Release of
Information in order for your physician and
behavioral health professional to coordinate your
care.
What if my child needs to see a therapist?
If you feel your child may need to see a therapist, and you want or
need assistance in finding one, contact CIGNA Behavioral Health by
dialing the toll-free number on your insurance ID card. CIGNA
Behavioral Health contracts with behavioral health professionals who
specialize in childhood issues and family therapy. You will be
referred to a professional in your area who will work with you, your
child and your family to identify the problem and put a plan in
place to treat it.
How do I know if therapy can help me?
Studies show that behavioral health services may
be helpful if you have any of the following
symptoms every day for a two-week duration.
Depressed mood
Loss of interest or pleasure
Significant weight loss or gain
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
Loss of energy
Difficulty concentrating
There are also many other situations when therapy can be helpful. If
you are having any physical symptoms, please make sure to check with
your primary care physician or family physician immediately. Below
is an overview of additional signs and symptoms where therapy may be
helpful:
- Intense fear or discomfort
If you have a period of intense fear or discomfort lasting
about ten minutes or more where the following symptoms may
occur, behavioral health services may be helpful.
Pounding heart
Sweating
Shaking
Feeling of choking
Dizziness
Fear of dying
Chest pain
- Unmanageable stress
If you have stress that you are finding unmanageable and are
experiencing any or all of the following signs and symptoms,
behavioral health services may be helpful.
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty concentrating
Forgetfulness
Change in appetite
Preoccupied thoughts
Difficulty completing tasks
Irritability
Loss of energy
Mood swings
Headaches
Stomach aches
Palpitations
- Relationship issues impacting your quality of life
If you are having relationship issues that are impacting
your quality of life, and are experiencing any or all of the
following signs and symptoms, behavioral health services may
be helpful.
Inability to maintain relationships
Inability to keep close relationships
Communication problems in your relationships
Arguments with your spouse or significant other
Lack of trust in relationships
Physical Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Codependence
- A potential problem with drugs or alcohol
If you have or suspect you have a problem with drug or
alcohol, and are experiencing any or all of the following
signs and symptoms, behavioral health services may be
helpful.
Preoccupation with drugs or alcohol
Inability to cut down on drug or alcohol consumption
Guilt over drinking or using
Concern about usage by self or others
Drugs or alcohol interfere with work/school
Drugs or alcohol interfere with relationships
Legal problems (DUI)
Most of your paycheck goes to support drug or alcohol
consumption
Tremors/shakes if you stop using drugs or alcohol
Engaging in "risky" behavior when using drugs or
alcohol
Blackouts
- A potential eating disorder
If you suspect that you may have an eating disorder or
related problem and are experiencing any or all of the
following signs and symptoms, behavioral health services may
be helpful.
Preoccupation with food
Restricting food intake
Rapid weight gain/loss
Binging
Purging
Use of laxatives for weight loss
Others tell you that you have a distorted body image
Physical problems (fainting, dental, stomach aches)
How do I prepare for therapy?
Many people find their progress in therapy
improves quickly when they focus on specific
issues or problems. Before your first appointment
ask yourself these questions:
-
What is my current problem?
-
What steps have I taken in the past to deal
with this problem?
-
What do I hope to accomplish through therapy?
The answers to these questions will give valuable
information to your behavioral health
professional and help you benefit from your
treatment.
How do I know if medication will help?
Medication may be prescribed for a variety of
conditions, most commonly depression and anxiety.
Of course, there may be symptoms or other
conditions that would require medication. Your
behavioral health professional will be the best
source of information about treatment approaches,
including medications.
Will I need to be hospitalized?
Most problems are usually treated effectively in
an outpatient setting. However, hospitalization
may be necessary for a variety of reasons. Some
examples include:
-
You or a family member is in need of 24-hour
care
-
Stabilizing an acute psychiatric illness
-
If you currently feel you are in danger of
hurting yourself or someone else
-
If you are withdrawing from alcohol or drugs
and have a medical condition that could make
the withdrawal process life-threatening
Remember, our staff is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week if you
need help accessing benefits and treatment through our contracted
provider network. You can call us by dialing the toll-free number on
your insurance ID card for assistance.
What other resources may be helpful to supplement
my treatment?
There are many community resources and self-help
books available. If you have Internet
connectivity, you can do a search by typing in
your topic or issue and getting a listing of Web
sites for all kinds of organizations and
resources. If you do not have Internet
connectivity, call us at the Mental
Health/Substance Abuse toll-free number on your
insurance ID card, and we will help you find a
community resource. Or go to your local library.
When should I expect to see results?
During your first session or two you should
discuss goals with your therapist so he/she will
have a better understanding of what you would
like to get accomplished. Together, you and your
therapist will develop a treatment plan to help
you accomplish the goals you've discussed.
What if I need more than the maximum number of
visits included in my benefit plan?
Often, people find relief from their difficulties
within five to eight sessions. Most behavioral
health benefit plans cover more than eight
sessions per year. Our contracted behavioral
health professionals will work with you to
develop a comprehensive, efficient and effective
treatment plan.
If you have exceeded the maximum number of visits covered under your
benefit plan in a calendar year or in a lifetime (which very rarely
happens), your professional may be able to work with you to assist
you in finding helpful resources in the community or to develop a
payment plan so that you can continue to work with him/her.
What if I'm not improving?
First, talk with your behavioral health professional about your
concerns. CIGNA Behavioral Health care managers work closely with
your behavioral health professional to promote the most effective
and efficient use of your plan benefits. In order to maximize the
benefits available to you, we ask the behavioral health professional
to discuss your progress with us as the course of treatment
continues. If your symptoms are not improving, CIGNA Behavioral
Health and your professional will discuss the situation and
determine if additional resources are needed.
If you feel your current course of treatment is not adequate, we
want to know. Please contact us at the toll-free number listed on
your insurance ID card.
How will I know when I no longer need therapy?
You and your behavioral health professional
together will develop a treatment plan based on
what you feel you need to accomplish in therapy.
A part of the treatment plan will be to determine
when you have met all of your goals. Once you
have met your treatment goals, therapy is no
longer considered necessary.
How confidential is therapy?
The things you discuss with your therapist, and even the fact that you are in therapy, are completely confidential unless one of the following situations occurs: 1) If a client in counseling reveals homicidal or suicidal intentions, the counselor is bound by law to take steps to protect life. 2) If a client reveals abuse of a child or vulnerable adult (elderly or disabled), the therapist is required to report it to the local Department of Social Services. 3) Finally, a court can order the release of a therapist’s records or order a therapist to testify in court.
I've never talked with a therapist. What do I say at my first session?
Just start by describing the reason you are there and what you’d like to get out of coming. Your therapist will ask questions as needed to help you get started and to get the relevant information.
How do I describe my problem to a therapist? It's uncomfortable and I'm embarrassed.
You can start with whatever is on your mind, and eventually you’ll cover the important points. Therapists understand your discomfort and embarrassment, and know how to help put you at ease. Most people get over their discomfort once they have been talking for a few minutes.
What should I expect from outpatient therapy? Results in five sessions? An immediate “cure?”
Of course, the speed with which you will see results varies with a lot of factors, including the nature of your problem, how much and how fast you are willing to make changes in your life, and so forth. Most people can expect significant positive results within five sessions, and sometimes sooner. Getting at the tougher issues may take a little longer.
My family-member is resistant to treatment. How do I break through? How do I get my loved one to consider treatment?
If your loved one doesn’t want to go to treatment, go ahead and go by yourself. This shows them that you are serious about changing the situation. The therapist will talk to you about what you can do on your own, and oftentimes changes in one member of a family lead to changes in others. And many times those others become more willing to go and “have their say” once they see that you are following through.
Where can I go to understand what level of benefits coverage I have for mental health for me and my family?
It is important to know exactly what your behavioral benefits are
since they may be different than your medical benefits. In order to
learn more about your specific behavioral health benefits, you can
contact CIGNA Behavioral Health by calling the number listed on your
insurance identification card. Our staff will help you to identify
what is covered under your benefit plan and help you to access the
appropriate referrals.
This material is provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health, Inc. for
informational/educational purposes only. It is not intended as
medical/clinical advice. Only a healthcare provider can make a
diagnosis or recommend a treatment plan.
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