According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) causes severe and pervasive impairment in thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others. This disorder is usually first diagnosed in early childhood. Our experience of working with providers and families has shown us that it’s necessary to have the right information, planning, resources and teamwork for the successful management of this illness. To best help parents and families of children living with this disorder, Cigna Behavioral Health has developed a Coaching and Support program for autism. It includes comprehensive tools to help parents understand autism and to help providers monitor treatment progress.

Covered Services

Behavioral health services are available and covered for a variety of mental health and substance use disorders. For more information, visit Cigna's Autism Spectrum Disorder: Assessment and Treatment Coverage Policy.

Coverage Policy

For more information about our coverage policy, please refer to Intensive Behavioral Interventions - (0499).

Authorization Process

Authorization may be required in some cases. Please call the number on the back of your patient's Cigna ID card to learn more about services and specialties covered under the benefit plan and/or determine if prior-authorization is required to complete treatment. Please follow the prompts to be connected to Cigna Behavioral. If you are calling for multiple patients at a time, you may also complete the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Benefit Request Form to verify benefit information.

• Patient privacy - Each time you call Cigna, HIPAA verification will be necessary. Please be prepared with your Tax Identification Number (TIN) and the Cigna patient's:
  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Address
  • ID number on the health benefit card
• Make a request - To request ABA treatment services or to verify ABA benefits and eligibility, please visit Behavioral Forms and submit the appropriate Applied Behavior Analysis form.
• Prior authorization forms should be completed by a supervisor or the rendering health care provider on a case. If you would like to schedule a live review or have questions, call the Autism Case Coordination Team at the number below.

Join Our Network

If you are a board certified behavior analyst and/or licensed mental health provider, learn more about joining our network.

Working with Cigna

To help you work most effectively with Cigna Behavioral Health, here is some important contact information:

What is your need?	Contact:
Verify Applied Behavior Analysis benefits and eligibility	Call the Customer Service number on the back of the Cigna patient's health benefit card. If you are calling for multiple patients at a time, you may also complete the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Benefit Request Form to verify benefit information.
Request Applied Behavior Analysis prior authorization	Complete the ABA Prior Authorization Form in Behavioral Forms. If you have questions, call the Autism Care Coordinator Team at 877.279.7603.
For claims or other general questions	Call Provider Services at 800.926.2273.

For reimbursement of Applied Behavior Analysis therapies, Cigna utilizes Current Procedural Terminology (CPT^®) codes. For more information about the best use of these codes, refer to Billing Codes for Applied Behavior Analysis.