How to find a Cigna psychiatrist

Finding an in-network psychiatrist is a wonderful first step toward getting treatment for your mental health. Seeking help sometimes feels overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we’ve outlined some things you need to know about finding the right Cigna psychiatrist for you, including how to find out your plan’s coverage, how to find a provider, and more.  

Does Cigna insurance include mental health coverage?

The short answer is yes. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, all insurance companies (including Cigna) must provide some form of mental health coverage. However, Cigna offers many different insurance plans, so what is covered varies based on your policy.

Your Cigna policy will describe what psychiatric services are covered, what types of professionals you can see (therapists, psychiatrists, etc.), and any requirements or limitations. Your plan’s limitations include whether inpatient vs. outpatient and virtual vs. in-person services are covered, and under what circumstances your plan will cover mental health care. For example, some plans require a referral from your primary care providers before seeing a psychiatrist.

If you can’t find and understand your policy on Cigna’s website easily, make sure to give them a call. A Cigna representative can tell you if a certain provider is in-network, what services are covered by your plan, and how much your copay will be.  

How much do Cigna psychiatrists cost?

The cost to see a psychiatrist or therapist varies depending on the provider, your plan’s coverage, and whether you’ve met your annual deductible. It also depends on whether your provider is in-network or out-of-network.

Your plan likely offers in-network coverage. It may also provide some amount of out-of-network coverage. So, what’s the difference? In-network coverage means your plan covers all, or a portion, of the cost to see a provider that Cigna considers “in-network.” Seeing an in-network physician typically costs less than going out-of-network, so it’s a great way to save.

However, if your plan also offers out-of-network benefits, you can see a psychiatrist who isn’t in-network. This allows you to broaden your search for a psychiatrist and still get a portion of your services paid for. However, you’ll likely have to pay upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement up to the allotted amount.  

A good rule of thumb for maximizing your benefits and lowering costs is to go with an in-network provider. Once you find a psychiatrist, ensure they’re an in-network provider, and find out what they charge, you can review your policy to see what percentage, if any, of their services are covered.

How can I find in-network Cigna psychiatrists?

Although working with a health insurance company can be difficult, finding an in-network provider doesn’t need to be. There are several places you can look to find a highly regarded provider that accepts your policy. Here are a few places to get started:

Online provider directories

There are several online directories that make searching for in-network providers easy. Websites like ZocDoc and Psychology Today allow you to search for specific types of providers, like psychiatrists or therapists, in your area. You can filter your search by specialty, insurance company, type of therapy, and more.

Cigna’s website

You can also find a provider through Cigna by calling or searching on their website. Similar to online directories, Cigna’s website allows you to search for certain types of providers in your area and see reviews from patients.

Referrals

As mentioned above, your Cigna plan may require you to get a referral from your primary care physician. These referrals are great ways to find psychiatrists your primary care physician recommends. Your primary care office may be able to tell you if the referred physician is in-network. If not, you can always call Cigna to check.  

Through Talkiatry

We are a virtual psychiatry practice of over 300 psychiatrists. All our psychiatrists take insurance, and we are in-network with 60+ major insurance plans, including BCBS. We make finding a psychiatrist easy. Just take our 10-minute online assessment to see if Talkiatry is right for you and get matched with a psychiatrist who takes your insurance and meets your needs.  

You can also check whether or not we accept your insurance using our insurance eligibility checker.  

Tips for finding a psychiatrist

Like any doctor, not all psychiatrists are created equal. They each have specialties, credentials, and patient reviews you’ll want to check before deciding who to see. Here are a few tips for finding the right psychiatrist.

• Ask friends and family for recommendations. If you’re not sure where to start when finding a psychiatrist, or would prefer a personal recommendation over an online search, ask friends and family if there is a psychiatrist they’d recommend.

• Review credentials. It’s always a good idea to review a provider’s credentials before scheduling an appointment, including their years of experience. Reading about their education and credentials helps you confirm they have a license to practice and a medical degree. Some psychiatrists are also board-certified, which is an extra certification beyond a medical license. Remember, psychiatrists and therapists are different, so their credentials will also differ. Many therapists receive master’s and doctorate degrees but they don’t attend a school of medicine.

• Take online reviews with a grain of salt: In today’s digital world, most providers have online reviews from current or previous patients. You can Google the doctor you’re considering to get a better idea of what to expect, but know that certain psychiatrists may be a fit for you even if they weren’t for other people.

• Consider factors like the psychiatrist's experience and specialty. Many psychiatrists and therapists have experience treating certain conditions. They may even specialize or only treat patients with certain mental health concerns.

• Ensure a psychiatrist is accepting new patients: Ensure a psychiatrist is accepting new patients before you do too much research into their background.  

• Clarify any questions or concerns about the psychiatrist's approach, fees, treatment plan, and billing procedures: Many psychiatrists and therapists work in physician offices with front desk staff who can answer your questions. Feel free to call or email the office to clarify a psychiatrist’s fees and process.  

Related article: How to find an Aetna psychiatrist

FAQs

What does a psychiatrist do?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health care and may have additional training to specialize in certain areas, like child psychology or substance misuse. They can all evaluate your symptoms, diagnose mental health concerns, prescribe medicine, and develop a treatment and medication management plan. Some may also offer services like talk therapy.

Learn more about the differences between a psychiatrist, therapist, and psychiatric nurse practitioner.

What can my Cigna psychiatrist treat?  

Psychiatrists treat a wide variety of mental health conditions, including:

• Anxiety disorders

• Eating disorders

• Mood disorders

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Personality disorders  

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

This list of examples isn’t exhaustive, as psychiatrists can typically treat any mental health concern. Some psychiatrists specialize in certain types of mental health conditions, so make sure to check before scheduling.

The information in this article is for education and informational purposes only and should never be substituted for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.