Cigna Credentialing: How to Join the Network (Medical, Behavioral & Dental) 

Most stalled Cigna applications get stuck because the provider got off on the wrong foot. There are multiple ways to get credentialed with Cigna. Dentists, mental health professionals, and medical professionals all take a different path, with their own forms and teams. 

If you choose the wrong one, your file might not be touched for weeks. This guide shows you which path is yours, what Cigna checks, how long it takes, and when it makes sense to hand it off to an insurance credentialing services team. 

Key Takeaways 

• Cigna has three credentialing paths: medical (Cigna directly), behavioral health (Evernorth Behavioral Health), and dental (Cigna Dental enrollment). 

• An accurate, authorized CAQH profile is the foundation of every path. 

• Expect roughly 60 to 90 days for medical and 60 to 120 days for behavioral health. These are industry estimates, not guarantees. 

• You are not in-network until credentialing and contracting are both complete. 

What Is Cigna Credentialing? 

Cigna credentialing is the process by which Cigna checks a provider’s credentials before letting them join its network. Candidates are checked against rules set by NCQA, Medicare, the states, and Cigna. Then, a Credentialing Committee of peer providers reviews each file. 

Cigna makes sure that you are who you say you are and that you have the right licenses to do what you say you do. The review looks at the person’s schooling, licenses, work experience, and liability insurance. See our step-by-step insurance credentialing guide for a more in-depth look at how this works with different types of payers. 

Credentialing vs. Contracting: Why You Need Both 

Medical credentialing and hiring are two parts of becoming a Cigna contractor. Credentialing checks you out. Contracting sets out the terms of your participation and the amount you will be reimbursed. 

You don’t become an in-network supplier until both parties are done, and the date of implementation is set in stone. Billing before that date is a common mistake that costs a lot of money. 

Which Cigna Credentialing Path Are You On? 

Before you fill out anything, work out which route you need to take to join the Cigna network. Here is the quick version. 

Provider type	Who handles it	How you start
Physicians, NPs, PAs and other medical providers	Cigna Healthcare (medical)	CAQH profile, then Cigna application
Therapists (LCSW, LPC, LMFT), psychologists (PhD/PsyD), counselors	Evernorth Behavioral Health, part of The Cigna Group	Evernorth Provider Information Form, plus CAQH
Dentists	Cigna Dental enrollment	Dental enrollment request, then credentials via CAQH or e-onboarding

Cigna Behavioral Health used to be Evernorth Behavioral Health. You are in the wrong line if you are a therapist looking for Cigna and going through the medical route. 

If you are a nurse practitioner, you might go into medicine, but that depends on your field. This page about nurse practitioner credentialing tells you everything you need to know if you are an NP thinking about your options. 

What Are Cigna Credentialing Requirements? 

The requirements for Cigna credentials are the same as those used by the business as a whole. Cigna checks every file through primary source verification, which means they check the information with the original issuer instead of taking your word for it. What to expect to give: 

• A valid state license with no restrictions 
• Board certification and any others that apply 
• Registration with the DEA, which lets you give drugs 
• Current coverage for professional liability (malpractice) 
• Full work history, with explanations for any gaps 
• Your unique NPI (Type 1) and, for groups, your NPI (Type 2) as a company 
• A valid ID and a signed W-9 
• Hospital rights, if you have them 

Before you apply, check Cigna’s certification page to make sure you meet the exact standards for your field. These can vary by service type and state. 

What Documents Do You Need for Cigna Credentialing? 

Before you start, make sure you have your license, board certificate, DEA certificate, malpractice face sheet, CV with month and year dates, W-9, and confirmation of your NPI. Always keep a copy of each one in the same box. 

More rejections happen because names, dates, or places don’t match across these papers than because information is missing. Not sure if you have everything? Get our free credentialing checklist and check things off as you go. 

How to Get Credentialed with Cigna as a Medical Provider 

You need to take four steps to get approved as a medical worker by Cigna. This is the most important part of Cigna’s method for approving doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.  

Step 1: Complete and Authorize Your CAQH ProView Profile 

If you give them permission, Cigna can get most of your application data from CAQH or, in some places, from OneHealthPort/Medversant. That will only work if your page is full, up to date, and verified. 

Authorizing Cigna to view your profile is a separate action, and skipping it is a classic delay. Our guide to what CAQH is and how it works walks you through it. If you would rather not manage it yourself, CAQH profile management is a service we offer. 

Step 2: Submit Your Application to Cigna 

That brings us to the Cigna credentialing application itself. Cigna tells providers to apply through CAQH and the people it works with to get credentials. The way Cigna takes in new members is sometimes changed, so make sure you check its credentials page to see the most up-to-date way to apply before you send it in. 

Get ready with your NPI and Tax ID. They will help Cigna find you in every exchange after this one. 

Step 3: Verification and Credentialing Committee Review 

Cigna checks your papers right where they come from. Licenses are checked with the state board, certifications with the awarding body, and common records are used to look up a history of wrongdoing. 

Once the check goes well, your file is sent to the Credentialing Committee to be reviewed by other members. There is a set time for committee meetings, so a file that misses one can wait. 

Step 4: Contract and Effective Date 

You will receive a participation agreement once it is approved. Fill it out, send it back, and then wait for the confirmed start date. 

For that reason, you should only see Cigna customers if you are in their network. Record the start date and begin the clock for recredentialing from that point. 

Cigna Behavioral Health Credentialing Through Evernorth 

A different company handles Cigna’s mental health credentials. Evernorth Behavioral Health helps therapists, psychologists, and other behavioral providers join networks, sign contracts, and get credentials. 

The Evernorth Provider Information Form, not the medical application, is the first step in the credentialing process. Clinicians who work alone apply as individuals. A different group or organizational app for group activities should not be mixed up with the other one. 

To use Evernorth, you must also have a CAQH login that you have given permission to view. Cigna’s behavioral tools ask providers to reattest in CAQH regularly, usually every 120 days. Reattestations that are done regularly don’t have to mean extra outreach at recredentialing. 

Behavioral applications often take longer than medical ones because of the extra review steps. If your clinic is adding several therapists at once, our behavioral health credentialing team handles the Evernorth side and the follow-up. 

Evernorth has also changed its contacts and forms over the years. Before you send in your application, check Evernorth’s current source pages. Information in past tips may be out of date. 

How to Join the Cigna Dental Network 

The first step in getting a Cigna dental badge is to send a request to the dental registration team. Then, you send your credentials electronically through either CAQH or Cigna’s e-onboarding tool. 

Before you contact them, make sure you have their CAQH ID, license, DEA registration, medical insurance, and Tax ID handy. Dental registration contacts change, so don’t use an old list. Instead, use the information on Cigna’s licensing page. 

Dental plans have their own quirks, such as the difference between PPO and DHMO participation. They are discussed in our post about the dental insurance credentialing process, and our dental credentialing services page explains how we help practices with more than one dentist. 

How Long Does Cigna Credentialing Take? 

From the time an application is fully filled out, Cigna usually takes between 60 and 90 days to credential medical providers and between 60 and 120 days to credential behavioral health providers. These numbers come from industry estimates. Cigna doesn’t put out a set schedule. 

How long it takes to finish hiring, how complete your CAQH profile is, and how quickly main sources respond determine your real timeline. You need to spend time on both credentials and contracts. 

Think about how long the range is. Do not book patients, hire staff, or make any promises about an in-network date until you have a written confirmation of your start date. 

Why Does Cigna Credentialing Get Delayed or Denied? 

Problems that can be avoided usually cause delays. These ones happen most often. 

The wrong path. One person goes through the medical method, and the other person waits for a medical application. The file just sits there until someone moves it. 

CAQH problems. There are parts of the record that are missing, out of date, or not approved by Cigna. The attestation is no longer valid. 

Missing or mismatched documents. A file can be held up if your liability certificate has expired, your license and W-9 have different names, or there are gaps in your work experience that you can’t explain. 

Slow follow-up. Tenured employers and training programs are asked to verify the information. They are not being chased, so the file waits. 

Network adequacy limits. There may be places where Cigna doesn’t want to add more providers because it already has enough of the right kind. 

 

What If Cigna’s Network Is Closed in Your Area? 

If the panel is closed, it means that Cigna’s network meets its needs for your specialty and location. Then, even if your file is perfect, Cigna can refuse or hold up new applications. 

You can still do something. Check to see if the closure affects your specialty or just a service area. After a few months, check again because needs change. Some exceptions apply to doctors who fill a need in a certain area, like a language, a community, or a specific expertise. When you apply again, make sure you clearly show that case. 

How to Check Your Cigna Credentialing Status 

The status of your Cigna credentials is something you can ask for at any time. The most up-to-date contact number can be found on Cigna’s credentials page, so use that instead of an old one. 

In every question, you should include your NPI or Tax ID. The person you call can quickly find your file, and if you call more than once, the record stays clean. 

As you talk to people, write down the date, the name of the person you talked to, and what they said. Ask what step your file is in and what is still open if it hasn’t been touched in weeks. 

How Often Does Cigna Require Recredentialing? 

Cigna recredentialing takes place every three years, which is the same amount of time that NCQA requires. You will get a notice from Cigna, but notices are easy to lose, so don’t count on them. 

Between rounds, make sure your CAQH profile is up-to-date and your papers are signed off. Let the provider directory know about changes right away, like a new office address or insurance carrier. Demographic changes can affect your listing. A delay can make it harder to stay in network and get paid. 

Our recredentialing and maintenance services track every expiration date, so nothing slips. 

Should You Handle Cigna Credentialing Yourself or Outsource It? 

Many providers can do the process by their own. It’s harder when you have to deal with more than one payer, more than one provider, or a business that can’t spare staff hours. 

	Doing it yourself	Outsourcing
Cost	No service fee, but costs staff time	Service fee, but frees your team
Speed	Depends on your learning curve	Experienced team avoids common errors
Follow-up	Easy to let slip	Ongoing payer follow-up
Path accuracy	Risk of picking the wrong route	Right route chosen from day one
Recredentialing	Often forgotten	Tracked and managed

If any of this sounds like you, it might be time to hire someone else to do it. It’s been over 90 days since you sent in your application. You’re adding more than one provider. You were turned down and don’t understand why. Or you can’t afford to lose the money you’ll make while you wait. 

At Credex Healthcare, we keep you on track for Cigna credentialing by preparing your CAQH profile, submitting your application, following up with the payer, and tracking your contract until it goes into effect. We are a separate company that issues credentials. We have nothing to do with Evernorth or Cigna. 

If you want help with Cigna credentialing services, schedule a free consultation and we will walk through your situation. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Cigna Credentialing 

How long does Cigna credentialing take? 

From the time an application is fully filled out, the industry says it takes between 60 and 90 days for medical providers and between 60 and 120 days for behavioral health. Plan for the longer end because delays happen a lot. 

Does Cigna use CAQH for credentialing? 

Yes. Cigna is a part of CAQH and gets most of your application info from it, with your permission. Make sure that your profile is complete, signed, and approved by Cigna. 

Do therapists credential with Cigna or Evernorth? 

Evernorth Behavioral Health helps behavioral health providers join networks, sign contracts, and get credentials. It has its own Provider Information Form that is not part of the medical application. Credex does all the credentialing for Cigna and Evernorth; start with a free consultation. 

How do I check my Cigna credentialing status? 

You can always use the “contact” link on Cigna’s credentialing page to find out the progress of your application. In every question, you should include your NPI or Tax ID. 

How often does Cigna recredential providers? 

Every three years or so. Check Cigna’s credentialing page to see what cycle is currently in effect, and make sure your CAQH is still valid between rounds. 

How do dentists join the Cigna network? 

Have your CAQH ID ready when you call Cigna’s dental enrollment team using the information on its credentialing page. After that, you send in your details online. 

Am I in-network once Cigna approves my credentialing? 

Not yet. Cigna also needs a signed contract and a declaration, and they need the exact start date of coverage before they can bill you as in-network. 

How much does Cigna credentialing cost? 

Your staff’s time and the revenue you lose while they wait are what it really costs. See if there are any fees mentioned on Cigna’s licensing page. Read how much certification services cost for a full list, or set up a free meeting to get an idea of how much your case will cost. 

Get In-Network with Cigna Faster 

Cigna credentialing moves faster when you start on the right path, keep CAQH clean, and follow up on every step. First, figure out whether you need medical, behavioral, or dental help. Then, match your process with the right provider.