CIGNA Behavioral Health Offers Members Online Provider Profiles

Enabling members to search areas of expertise and other factors when choosing a therapist 


EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Sept. 27  /PRNewswire/ -- CIGNA Behavioral Health (CBH) members can now view robust, online provider profiles that offer a photograph and biographical information about therapists including license levels, languages spoken, educational background, areas of specialization and years of experience. Available at http://www.cignabehavioral.com/ , the online Provider Directory and Search Tool offers participants the ability to browse for a provider who best suits their personal needs and preferences.  The company is the first managed behavioral health organization to offer the provider profile pages with photographs, and search hits have already reached 700,000 this year.

"I have had many referrals from CBH through the web site since the online profiles were implemented," said licensed psychologist, Lois Schatz, PsyD, of New York.  "My patients even tell me that they came to me because they like what I had to say and they felt like they knew me and thought I could be empathetic.  I have seen an increase in return visits after the initial visit because patients are finding a therapist who best fits their needs from the onset. This is a real differentiator for CBH."

Nearly 10,000 providers in CBH's network have populated their personal profiles, including a photograph.  The provider directory is updated daily and therefore the information is continually refreshed.

"The real focus is on the consumer," said Larry Gleit, senior director, network performance management for CIGNA Behavioral Health.  "From our perspective, therapy is a very private and personal experience.  Having the provider's profile on the web site offers a 'virtual introduction,' which has helped our members select the provider they think best matches their personal needs."

The web site also has a confidential self-assessment tool, which helps participants gauge their state of behavioral health, stress level, and general well-being.  The company said that in the future, it intends to offer quality and cost comparison information, as well as post feedback from members who have accessed services from a provider in the past. Members without Internet access can still review the newly-enhanced provider profiles by calling a CBH personal advocate, who will send the provider information through the mail.

About CIGNA Behavioral Health

CIGNA Behavioral Health (CBH) provides behavioral care benefit management, EAPs, and work/life programs to consumers through health plans offered by large U.S. employers, national and regional HMOs, Taft-Hartley trusts and disability insurers. CBH, with headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minn., operates care management centers around the U.S. in support of a national network of more than 56,800 independent psychiatrists, psychologists and clinical social workers and more than 5,100 facilities and clinics. For more information, visit http://www.cignabehavioral.com/. 

DATASOURCE: CIGNA Behavioral Health



CONTACT:  Arlys Stadum of CIGNA, [phone], 



Web site:  http://www.cignabehavioral.com/

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