From Our President,
Keith Dixon, Ph.D., CEO

MORE ON “HEALTH
CARE CONSUMERISM”

Like all industries the behavioral health care industry has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of the consumer. Even in name we changed from “mental health” to the more expansive “behavioral health” in the late 1990’s.

Today, we are on the fringe of another major milestone spawned by the need to align around the “consumerism” marketplace. Medical issues can no longer be approached without direct reference to the consumer’s psychological and social needs – and behavioral health needs often derive from physical health issues.

Neither the consumer nor the health care field can remain divided between “mind” and “body.”

 At CIGNA Behavioral Health we have approached this challenge head-on. We have implemented new coaching programs to address weight management, stress management and smoking. CIGNA Behavioral Health is also in the process of merging with CareAllies, (a wholly owned subsidiary of CIGNA, focused on health advocacy and disease management) and vieLife (a U.K.-based leading provider of integrated online health management and coaching programs) to create a single health advocacy organization focused on improving overall health and workplace productivity.      

Through our initiatives, we are committed to continuing the momentum needed to become a change agent in the field formally known as “behavioral health care.” As network providers we hope you too will strive to become actively engaged in the concept of total health and wellness.

Thank you,
Keith Dixon

 

Do members know who you are?

We offer a Self Introduction page so that our members can get to know you better.

Demographic/
Geographic Updates

Do you need to update your contact numbers, mail and/or email addresses?

Click here to update 

 

Other Resources

We have a host of other resources and/or publications for you to view:
• Monthly eBriefs
• Provider Guide
• Level of Care Guidelines 
• Other Resources

 

Contact us:

11095 Viking Drive
Suite 350
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Telephone: 952.996.2000
Fax: 860.867.7257

ProviderEducationSpecialist@
CIGNABehavioral.com

CBH Practitioner Conection
Volume XXIII, 3rd Quarter

The right help at the right time!

INFORMING PARTICIPANT OF TREATMENT CHOICES

Participants may be more successful in managing their behavioral health issues when they are encouraged to take an active role in making treatment decisions. Often, there are a number of efficacious treatments for a given condition.

NATIONAL CARE CENTER DEPRESSION PREVENTIVE HEALTH PROGRAM

CIGNA Behavioral Health’s (CBH) National Care Center, located in Eden Prairie, MN, reported results recently for its preventive health program for individuals over 18 years of age who experience first-time inpatient admissions for a new diagnosis of Major Depression. The program has been in operation for 3 years. 

WORK/LIFE RESOURCES: ENHANCING THE EAP PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCE

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers participants an opportunity to review many different life issues. As an EAP practitioner, you meet with participants, conduct thorough assessments and collaboratively develop action plans with each participant.

TIPS FOR COMPLETING CMS1500 FORM

Claim submission can be a confusing process. Understanding how to fill out claim forms can help save time and speed the return of a response from CIGNA Behavioral Health (CBH).  

CARE ADVOCACY PROGRAM (CAP): OUTPATIENT REVIEW PROCESS

The Care Advocacy Program (CAP) was designed to help participants have greater access to care, while at the same time reducing administrative tasks for practitioners. Under CAP, practitioners are no longer required to obtain pre-authorization or submit treatment summaries when providing routine care.

PLANNING FOR PARTICIPANT SAFETY – AN UPDATE

Network-wide, safe clinical practices help to reduce risk of harm to participants. For this reason, CIGNA Behavioral Health (CBH) encourages continuity and coordination of care, use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, and timely access to qualified facilities and practitioners. 

FACTS ABOUT RE-CREDENTIALING

CIGNA Behavioral Health (CBH) re-credentials our participating practitioners every two or three years, depending on state requirements. Practitioners must meet established credentialing standards that protect our participants and promote the quality of our network.

RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE 

CIGNA Behavioral Health’s (CBH) Glendale (California) Operating Unit was recently awarded full three-year accreditations for Managed Behavioral Health Organizations from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The accreditations cover commercial managed behavioral health products and are effective from August 13, 2007 through August 13, 2010.

DEPRESSION SCREENING IN MEDICAL DISEASE MANAGEMENT

CIGNA HealthCare (CHC) offers comprehensive assessment and intensive ongoing support for persons experiencing chronic and progressive medical disorders through its medical disease management programs.  Since 2000, these programs, collectively called CIGNA Well Aware for Better Health®, have been routinely augmented by screening for depression.

ADVANTAGES OF INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE

Practitioners now have more options for easier access to participant eligibility and benefits information. In addition to speaking with a Customer Service Representative, providers can also access our confidential Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system to obtain routine information...

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Level of Care Guidelines

In May 2007, CIGNA Behavioral Health (CBH) formally adopted the 2006 revision of its Level of Care Guidelines. CBH’s Level of Care Guidelines are based on appropriate medical evidence, or evidence-based practice, and are consistent with our Clinical Practice Guidelines for condition-specific management of illness.

"CIGNA" and "CIGNA HealthCare" are registered service marks of CIGNA Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use by operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation.” Products and services are provided by these operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation. These operating subsidiaries include Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Tel-Drug, Inc. and its affiliates, CIGNA Behavioral Health, Inc., Intracorp, and HMO or service company subsidiaries of CIGNA Health Corporation and CIGNA Dental Health, Inc. In Arizona, HMO plans are offered by CIGNA HealthCare of Arizona, Inc. In California, HMO plans are offered by CIGNA HealthCare of California, Inc. In Connecticut, HMO plans are offered by CIGNA HealthCare of Connecticut, Inc. In Virginia, HMO plans are offered by CIGNA HealthCare Mid-Atlantic, Inc. In North Carolina, HMO plans are offered by CIGNA HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. All other medical plans in these states are insured or administered by Connecticut General Life Insurance Company.

808353 10/07 ©2007 CIGNA