Cigna, MDLIVE Make Behavioral Health Virtual Visits Simpler, Convenient

With mental health issues on the rise in America, Cigna is making it simpler and more convenient for its customers to seek care for conditions like anxiety, stress, and depression.

Beginning in January 2020, Cigna's 14 million customers enrolled in employer-sponsored plans can schedule appointments online to see behavioral health counselors or psychiatrists when they want and where they want, securely, by video or phone through its collaboration with MDLIVE.

This new service is in addition to Cigna's Behavioral Health network of more than 18,000 virtual behavioral health providers.

In the U.S., 20% of people have a mental health condition, yet only one-third seek out services. Challenges include stigma, long wait times, inconvenient hours, and limited providers in rural areas. When left untreated, mental health conditions can intensify and lead to other chronic or life-threatening health conditions.

Related: Virtual Care Services Becomes More Mainstream

"Providing personalized and affordable health solutions when and where our customers need them and ensuring quality treatment are our top priorities," says Julie McCarter, vice president, product solutions at Cigna. "As the demand for mental health professionals continues to grow, it can be challenging for customers to have access to care at the times they need it most. Working together with MDLIVE, we are delivering increased connectivity to help our customers live their healthiest and most vibrant lives."

In January 2020, Cigna customers can visit myCigna.com to easily schedule a video or phone-based counseling appointment through MDLIVE with a mental healthcare professional, including licensed behavior care counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. These mental health professionals can diagnose and provide therapy for a wide range of issues as well as prescribe medicines when appropriate. The consults are covered at the same customer cost share as an in-office visit.

"Expanding our relationship with Cigna will help provide their customers with even greater and more convenient access to high quality behavioral healthcare in addition to the medical care we currently provide," says Rich Berner, Chief Executive Officer of MDLIVE. "Through this collaboration we can break down the traditional barriers that often prevent people from getting the behavioral healthcare they need, starting with making it easy for a user to find a provider and schedule an appointment."