CommercialCoverageMedium impact
Behavioral Health Centers of Excellence program
Cigna·Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine +1 more·Quality Measures
Effective date
Apr 1, 2024
We identified it
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
Evernorth/Cigna introduced a new Behavioral Health Centers of Excellence (COE) program that evaluates mental health, substance use disorder, and eating disorder treatment facilities based on patient outcomes and cost-efficiency scores. Facilities meeting criteria receive star ratings and COE designation, giving providers and patients additional referral options for inpatient behavioral health treatment.
Action Required
By April 1, 2024: Billing and referral staff should update referral processes to include COE facility searches when making inpatient behavioral health referrals. Use Cigna.com Find a Doctor tool or call member services to locate COE-designated facilities for mental health, substance use disorder, or eating disorder treatment. Train staff that COE designation should supplement, not replace, clinical judgment in facility selection.