Cigna Group experienced a 30% expansion in its behavioral health provider network in 2022, doubling its size over the past four years. The company also significantly grew its virtual care network and engaged over 300,000 mental health and substance use providers. Cigna’s focus on holistic health aims to reduce costs and improve member outcomes, as demonstrated through partnerships with VillageMD and Evernorth. The company’s efforts extend to youth mental health, autism care, and value-based care arrangements, emphasizing its commitment to comprehensive healthcare solutions.
In 2022, Cigna Group (NYSE: CI) significantly expanded its behavioral health provider network, witnessing a remarkable 30% growth and doubling its size over the past four years.
According to the latest impact report, the Bloomfield, Connecticut-based health insurance and service giant also nearly doubled the size of its virtual care network. Cigna Group now boasts a network that engages over 300,000 mental health and substance use providers in its traditional network, along with approximately 163,000 virtual behavioral health providers.
This notable growth reflects Cigna Group’s commitment to addressing members’ comprehensive health needs, aiming to reduce costs and improve member outcomes. Throughout 2022, the company made significant progress in various behavioral health, value-based care, and digital health initiatives.
A prime example of this commitment is Cigna Group’s investment and partnership with tech-backed population health provider VillageMD, which was announced in November. This collaboration aims to accelerate a value-based care model, enabling patients to seamlessly transition between virtual, digital, and in-person physicians. The goal is to reduce healthcare costs and ensure that patients receive appropriate care in the most optimal setting and at the right time.
By the end of last year, Cigna Group had established around 670 collaborative care programs, including 240 accountable care organizations. Additionally, the company had developed 126,000 primary care value-based care arrangements, benefiting over 3 million patients receiving care through value-based care programs.
Cigna’s partnership with VillageMD and its service division Evernorth seeks to enhance the connection between various healthcare services, including behavioral health. The company also expanded access to behavioral health through its collaboration with MDLive, a telehealth app. To reduce wait times for mental health services, Cigna launched a pilot program within MDLive.
The report states that by doing so, Cigna helps employers save money while ensuring that patients receive the right care in the appropriate setting and at the optimal time.
Another area of focus for Cigna Group was the prompt delivery of care for children who may have autism. The company created and tested a predictive model to identify children with autism, proactively engaging with parents to facilitate care. Cigna also collaborated with the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence, an accrediting agency, to establish outcomes and quality measures for the adoption of value-based care arrangements in autism therapy.
In 2022, Cigna’s efforts to improve youth mental health accelerated as well. The network for children grew by 19% to approximately 172,000 providers, and the number of facilities treating children with behavioral health conditions increased by 8% to around 2,700.
Cigna partnered with Brightline, a virtual youth mental health and family support company, to further enhance its youth mental health initiatives. This partnership was expanded nationwide during the same year.
Many of Cigna’s behavioral health partnerships and engagements were conducted through Evernorth. During an earnings call in late 2022, Cigna’s leadership expressed their commitment to doubling down on Evernorth’s capabilities.