Cigna Credentialing and Healthcare Provider Enrollment
Cigna is a global health insurance company offering individual and family health insurance plans in 10 states, Medicare plans in 23 states and dental plans in 49 states — plus Washington, D.C. If you're a health care provider in a state with Cigna plans, you can welcome more patients, increase revenue and build your reputation by accepting Cigna insurance. To take Cigna insurance, you must first go through their credentialing process.
Insurance credentialing, which may also be called provider enrollment, is the process of applying to health insurance companies to become an in-network provider. Once you become an in-network provider, you can bill the insurance company directly for the services you provide.
If you're a health care provider who would like to go through Cigna insurance credentialing, we're here to help at
Bikham Healthcare.
If you're a health care provider who would like to go through Cigna insurance credentialing, we're here to help at Bikham Healthcare.
Bikham Healthcare's Cigna Payer Credentialing & Enrollment Services
Insurance credentialing can be a long and frustrating process. At Bikham Healthcare, we make it easy to join insurance networks, and we'll do most of the work for you. When you're ready to join Cigna, we'll complete the following steps on your behalf:
Network Research
Our team of credentialing experts will contact Cigna to find out timelines and open panel availability.
Application Filing
We'll send you a thorough checklist of the documents needed to complete your Cigna provider application. Once we have the required documents, our team will file the appropriate contract application and ensure the first submission is flawless.
Application Follow-up
After we submit your application, we'll follow up with Cigna every two weeks to make sure they received the necessary paperwork and find out if they need additional information.
Contract Negotiation
We'll study your competition to ensure you get the best rates possible for your services. Using our research, we'll negotiate fee rates for you.
PECOS and CAQH Setup and Maintenance
Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH) and Provider, Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) profiles are necessary for credentialing, and it's critical to keep your information up to date. We'll set up and maintain your CAQH and PECOS profiles to make certain your data is always accurate.
Annual Credentialing Maintenance
If you're part of a large health care facility, we'll manage and maintain all of your providers' credentialing data in our secure portal designed to boost efficiency.
Demographic Changes
Further, whether you have simple or complex demographic changes, we can tackle these for you by updating your address, bank account or IRS Tax ID.
How to Get Credentialed With Cigna as a New Provider
If this is your first time credentialing with Cigna, you'll need to take several steps to apply. These include:
Obtain an NPI
The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique 10-digit number given to health care providers who submit claims or other information electronically. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requires all health care providers who conduct electronic transactions to have an NPI. You can apply for an NPI through the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System.
Ensure You Have Adequate Malpractice Insurance
Make sure you meet your state's malpractice insurance requirements for your specialty. Cigna recommends a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 in the aggregate.
Complete a CAQH Profile
Cigna and many other insurance companies use CAQH technology to obtain information and perform administrative tasks. You can complete a CAQH profile online, but expect the process to take up to two hours. You'll need to authorize Cigna to access your data.
Call Cigna
Before you begin the application process, you'll need to call Cigna to confirm you meet the basic requirements for credentialing.Submit Your Application
If you meet the requirements to apply for credentialing, Cigna will send you an application packet via email. You can apply online through CAQH or mail your application to Cigna. Whether you apply online or by mail, you'll need to send Cigna the following information in addition to your application:- State medical license
- Drug Enforcement Agency certificate
- Controlled Dangerous Substances certificate, if required by state
- Cigna-participating hospital clinical privileges
- Board certification status
- Professional education and training
- Work history
- Prior sanctioning activities
- Malpractice insurance
- Malpractice claims history
Check the Status of Your Application
Cigna's credentialing process typically takes 45 to 60 days to complete. You can check the status of your application by calling or emailing Cigna.
When it's time for you to go through the re-credentialing process, Cigna will send you an email asking you to confirm that your CAQH information is up to date
Cigna Provider
Re-Credentialing Services
Participating providers must re-credential at least once every three years to maintain participation status with Cigna. When it's time for you to go through the re-credentialing process, Cigna will send you an email asking you to confirm that your CAQH information is up to date.
Cigna Behavioral Health Network Credentialing
If you're a behavioral health provider, take the following steps to get credentialed with Cigna:
01. Ensure You Meet the Credentialing Requirements
To join the Cigna behavioral network, you'll need to have the following:
- A license to practice in your state
- Liability insurance that meets your state's requirements
If you're a clinic, you'll need to meet the following criteria:
- Multi-disciplinary staff must have 10 providers, including at least one prescriber and one doctorate level provider.
- All clinicians must be licensed in the state.
- You must be willing to create a CAQH profile.
- You must have a centralized intake process or the ability to conduct intakes at each location.
- You must submit all billing under the clinic's name and tax ID number.
02. Fill Out the Application
If you're applying as an individual clinician, you'll need to complete Cigna's behavioral health provider application. Clinics must fill out Cigna's screening application for behavioral health clinics, and facilities need to call provider services.
Benefits of Bikham Healthcare's Credentialing Assistance
Cigna's insurance credentialing process takes time, patience and attention to detail. You'll need to follow each step carefully and meet any deadlines presented to you. At Bikham Healthcare, we'll get you through the process quickly and decrease the risk that your application will get denied. When you hand credentialing over to Bikham Healthcare, you can expect the following benefits:
Pricing Transparent Pricing 01
We offer a fixed price per application with no hidden fees.
Get your Cigna application completed twice as fast when you work with Bikham Healthcare.
You'll have an expert dedicated to your account who will ensure your needs are met.
Status Real-time Application Status 04
You'll have access to our online platform to check your application's status in real time.
You can be confident that the team at Bikham Healthcare will use their knowledge and skills to help your application get approved.
Who Bikham Healthcare Helps With Cigna Credentialing
After 18 years of credentialing and enrollment experience and successfully filing over 232,000 applications, we're prepared to assist the following specialties:
Cardiology
Radiology
Orthopedic
Behavioral Health
Sleep Medicine
Anesthesiology
Urology
Chiropractic
Surgery
Internal Medicine
Physical Therapy
Obstetrics & Gynecology
We also serve the following industry segments:
Hospitals
Ambulatory Surgical Centers
Medical Laboratories
Durable Medical Equipment Providers
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Teleradiology and telehealth
Ambulatory Surgical Centers
Hospitals
Ambulatory Surgical Centers
Medical Laboratories
Durable Medical Equipment Providers
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Teleradiology and telehealth
Hospitals
Ambulatory surgical centers
Get on Cigna Insurance Panel by Contacting Bikham Healthcare
Joining Cigna as an in-network provider will expand your reach and allow you to help more patients. Despite its benefits, the credentialing process is time-consuming and can feel overwhelming when you add it to your duties as a health care provider. With Bikham Healthcare, you can bypass Cigna's credentialing challenges and leave the complex details to us.
If you're ready to start the Cigna credentialing and enrollment process, contact us at Bikham Healthcare today.
