CIGNA Behavioral Health Practitioner Connection – INFORMING PARTICIPANT OF TREATMENT CHOICES

Do members know who you are?

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

Click to create your Introduction

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. Participants should be informed by their treating practitioner of all treatments that have proven efficacy, even those that might not be preferences for the practitioner. As consumers, participants should be given adequate information to allow them to make the most educated choices about their care. By being included in treatment choices, participants are more likely to be compliant with treatment and, ultimately, potentially healthier. Of course, the treating practitioner’s input and recommendations remain an important part of the treatment.

After a non-biased discussion with participants about various treatment options, practitioners should provide recommendations for the most efficacious treatment options and the reason for those recommendations. At that point, participants can make treatment decisions based on both their practitioner’s recommendations and what the participant feels may be most suitable for them.

As an example, when two different medications may be used to treat the same condition, participants should be educated regarding the differences in side effect profiles, advantages and disadvantages of each medication (i.e. the need for blood monitoring while on the medication; dosing frequency). Cost differences should also be discussed, especially if a generic equivalent exists (with the same efficacy and side effect profile), as this can be a significant factor for participants in choosing a treatment option. At times there are clear advantages to one medication over another, and participants should be informed of this even if a medication may be more complicated or costly to use.

Participants should be informed when there is evidenced-based literature to support combination treatments (multiple medications, or medication-therapy combinations). Participants should also understand that there are many types of therapies available, and that for any one condition there may be more than one type of therapy that can be effective. Some therapies, even if effective for the same condition, might not be as well suited for the participant as another treatment.

In addition to Web resources and other educational programs, CIGNA and CBH/CareAllies offer health informational services and health advocacy programs including disease management services, screening programs and coaching.