What is Cigna?
Cigna is a renowned global health services company dedicated to improving people's health, wellness, and quality of life. They have a vast workforce of over 74,000 employees and serve over 170 million clients worldwide. Cigna's primary goal is to provide exceptional healthcare options that are affordable, consistent, and accessible to everyone.Â
They strive to offer customized solutions that promote overall well-being, encompassing physical and mental health. Cigna is committed to promoting enhanced health across all life stages, ensuring their customers are always equipped to address any healthcare challenges that come their way.
Different types of health insurance
Health insurance comes in various types, each offering different levels of flexibility, costs, and provider choices. Here’s an overview of the main types:
Health maintenance organizations (HMOs): HMOs provide access to a local network of doctors, hospitals, and healthcare facilities. You must opt for a primary care provider (PCP) from the network to manage your care and provide referrals for in-network specialists. HMOs typically have lower costs, such as copays and coinsurance, as long as you stay within the network.
Exclusive provider organizations (EPOs): EPOs also offer a network of participating providers but usually don’t cover out-of-network care unless it's an emergency. You may or may not need to select a PCP, and referrals for specialists within the network are not required. However, using out-of-network providers will likely result in full out-of-pocket expenses.
Point-of-service (POS) plans: POS plans blend features of HMOs and PPOs. They require you to select a PCP who coordinates your care and provides referrals for specialists. POS plans have smaller networks than PPOs but often lower in-network costs like HMOs. They also allow access to out-of-network providers at higher costs, and you'll need to handle claims for out-of-network services.
Preferred provider organizations (PPOs): PPOs offer a broader network of providers, including doctors, hospitals, and healthcare professionals. You can visit out-of-network providers, which will result in higher out-of-pocket costs. PPOs don’t require choosing a PCP or obtaining referrals, providing more flexibility in managing your care.
Understanding these health insurance options can assist you in choosing the plan that aligns with your healthcare needs and budget.
What is a catastrophic plan?
Catastrophic insurance plans cover sudden and severe medical expenses that can be financially overwhelming. It includes preventive services like screenings, vaccinations, annual check-ups, and some forms of birth control, but only after you've paid your deductible. There might be restrictions on the number of appointments with a Primary Care Provider (PCP) and limits on preventive care, depending on your plan.
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The catastrophic plan meets the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) basic coverage requirements, but most only allow up to three primary care provider visits per year. It has low monthly premiums but high deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Catastrophic plans cover most medical expenses, except preventive care, until you reach your deductible, which can be a few thousand dollars.
If you're confused about insurance lingo, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, refer to our guide for clarification.
What are the eligibility criteria for catastrophic insurance, and what does Cigna offer?
Once you have paid your plan deductible, you will be eligible for catastrophic coverage covering unexpected injuries, sudden illnesses, and accidents.
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To be eligible for these plans, you must be under the age of 30 or meet specific hardship exemptions. Hardship exemptions are granted if you cannot afford health insurance due to recent homelessness, bankruptcy, or other qualified circumstances. Cigna offers benefits through catastrophic plans.
Who are psychiatrists?
Psychiatrists are a medical doctor who specializes in mental health and focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders. They evaluate, diagnose, and treat these disorders using a combination of medical and psychological tests, discussions about symptoms and medical history, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders from the American Psychiatric Association. Hence, instead of searching for a temporary fix for your mental health problem, it's best to find a psychiatrist who accepts your health insurance plan, such as a Cigna-psychiatrist near you.
As medical doctors, psychiatrists can perform various medical and psychological tests to aid in diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, they create personalized treatment plans that include medication, talk therapy, and other medical interventions.Â
Does Cigna include mental health treatment?
Cigna Insurance covers mental health treatment. Most plans from a psychiatrist near you include coverage for essential types of mental health care, such as individual therapy, group therapy, intensive outpatient care, inpatient care, and emergency hospitalizations, including 911 calls. Cigna also covers a wide range of mental health issues beyond depression and anxiety, including substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder.
How can you find a top Cigna-psychiatrist near you in Manhattan, New York?
If you're currently located in Manhattan, New York, and you're in search of a reputable psychiatrist who accepts Cigna insurance, look no further than Zocdoc. Zocdoc is a reliable online platform that offers you the convenience of selecting your medical condition or doctor's specialty, location, and insurance plan to get a list of doctors that perfectly match your criteria. When booking an appointment on Zocdoc, you'll have the option to share your insurance information or indicate that you'll be paying out-of-pocket. Certain providers may require insurance details to confirm an appointment. If you prefer not to use insurance or don't have insurance, you can explore other providers on Zocdoc who accommodate out-of-pocket payments. You can visit Zocdoc's patient help center for more insurance-related questions.
Every psychiatrist listed on Zocdoc has a comprehensive profile that includes their practice location, reasons for visits, educational qualifications, gender, languages spoken, and more. Additionally, you can browse previous patients' reviews, which could be helpful before choosing a Cigna-psychiatrist near you.
Zocdoc also provides helpful guides on health insurance for college students and freelancers.
How many people with insurance seek mental health treatment in New York?
According to a 2022 report released by RAND Corporation, roughly 17.3% of New York City residents sought help for mental health issues through counseling or medication. People with Medicare had the highest rate of care-seeking at 18.8%, followed closely by those with other types of insurance at 18.6%. Medicaid recipients sought help at a rate of 18.5%, while those with private insurance sought help at 18.1%. Uninsured individuals sought help at the lowest rate, with only 10.1% seeking counseling or medication.
Sources
Cigna[1]
Cigna[2]
Cigna[3]
Cigna[4]
The Cigna Group
Clear Mind Treatment
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD
RAND Corporation
