Cigna covers a large share of Georgia’s employer-sponsored workforce, and Promises Atlanta is in-network with Cigna for both addiction and mental health treatment. If you or a family member carries a Cigna card, this page explains how coverage typically works, the role of Evernorth Behavioral Health in authorizing care, what affects your out-of-pocket cost, and how to verify your benefits in minutes.
The information here describes how Cigna plans generally function. Your plan’s terms control.
Cigna Plans in Georgia
- Employer group plans — Open Access Plus (OAP), PPO, HMO, and LocalPlus products. OAP is the most common; it does not require referrals.
- Self-funded employer plans administered by Cigna, which work identically for members.
- Cigna individual and family plans — Cigna sells marketplace plans in parts of Georgia; availability varies by county.
- Cigna Global and expatriate plans — for international employees based in Atlanta.
Evernorth: Who Authorizes Behavioral Health
Cigna’s behavioral health benefits are managed by Evernorth Behavioral Health, Cigna’s health services division. This matters for two practical reasons. First, your card may list a separate phone number for mental health and substance use; that is the number for authorization questions. Second, Evernorth uses its own clinical criteria to approve levels of care. Our admissions and utilization review teams work with Evernorth routinely and know what documentation supports approval. You do not need to contact Evernorth yourself.
What Cigna Covers at Promises Atlanta
- Medical detox — typically approved quickly when clinically indicated
- Residential addiction treatment — with prior authorization, reviewed in increments
- Residential mental health treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder
- Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring conditions
- Partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP)
- Medication-assisted treatment, with medications generally under the pharmacy benefit
Under the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and Georgia’s 2022 Mental Health Parity Act (HB 1013), plans cannot cover substance use or mental health treatment less generously than medical care—no separate day limits, higher copays, or stricter authorization standards. Our explainer on mental health parity in Georgia describes your rights in detail.
Ready to talk? Admissions is available around the clock. Call (678) 904-8617 or verify your insurance online in under a minute. All calls are free and confidential.
What Determines Your Out-of-Pocket Cost
For an in-network facility like Promises Atlanta, what you pay is governed by four numbers on your Cigna plan rather than by the program’s list price:
- Deductible — what you pay before the plan pays. What you have already spent this year counts.
- Coinsurance or copay — your share after the deductible, commonly 10–30% for inpatient care.
- Out-of-pocket maximum — the ceiling. Once reached, the plan pays 100% of in-network covered care for the rest of the year, including step-down levels and outpatient follow-up. For most people entering residential treatment, this is the number that defines their actual cost.
- Network status — in-network benefits apply at Promises Atlanta. Out-of-network care typically carries a higher deductible and coinsurance, or is not covered at all under HMO-style plans.
Our guide to the cost of rehab in Georgia walks through the arithmetic with examples.
How Cigna Authorization Works
- Our admissions team collects clinical information and your Cigna member details on the first call.
- We submit a prior authorization to Evernorth documenting medical necessity.
- Evernorth approves an initial set of days—detox is often same-day.
- During treatment, we submit clinical updates to extend authorization as needed.
If Evernorth limits coverage before our clinicians agree it is appropriate, we request peer-to-peer review, pursue internal appeal, and explain your right to external review under Georgia law.
Common Cigna Questions
My card says “Open Access Plus.” Do I need a referral?
No. OAP plans allow you to see in-network providers, including behavioral health facilities, without a primary care referral.
What about LocalPlus?
LocalPlus is a narrower network. Tell admissions if your card says LocalPlus and we will confirm network status for your specific plan before anything else.
Does Cigna cover treatment for my adult child on my plan?
Dependents up to age 26 are covered on the same terms. We verify using the policyholder’s information.
Does Cigna cover residential mental health care?
Yes. Our residential mental health program for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder is covered under the behavioral health benefit, with the same parity protections as addiction treatment.
Does Cigna pay for medication-assisted treatment?
Generally yes, under the pharmacy benefit, which is administered by Express Scripts for most Cigna plans. Some medications require prior authorization, which we handle.
Timing, Deductibles, and the Calendar
Two timing questions come up on nearly every insurance call. First: should I wait until I have met my deductible? No. Treatment delayed for financial optimization is treatment that often never happens, and for alcohol and benzodiazepine dependence, waiting carries medical risk. If you are close to your deductible, tell us and we will factor it into the estimate; if you are not, the out-of-pocket maximum still caps the year. Second: what happens if treatment spans January 1? Deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums reset with the plan year, so a stay that begins in December and continues into January may involve two years of cost-sharing. We flag this when it applies and, where clinically appropriate, discuss how step-down levels of care fit. Neither question should keep you from calling today.
If You Are Calling for Someone Else
Spouses, parents, and adult children make a large share of first calls. You can verify benefits using the policyholder’s information, ask about bed availability, and get coaching on how to raise the subject—our guide to talking to a loved one about rehab is a good start. Walking into that conversation with “I checked, and it’s covered” removes one of the most common objections before it is raised.
How to Verify Your Cigna Benefits
- Online: Complete the secure verification form. We contact Cigna, confirm your deductible status, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, and authorization requirements, and call you back with a written estimate—usually within the hour during business hours.
- By phone: Call (678) 904-8617 with your member ID. We can often verify while you hold.
- Through Cigna: The myCigna app shows your deductible status and out-of-pocket maximum.
Have your insurance card, the policyholder’s name and date of birth, and a sense of what you are seeking help with. You can verify on behalf of a family member using the policyholder’s information. Verification is free and does not obligate you to anything.
Why Cigna Members Choose Promises Atlanta
Promises Atlanta is Joint Commission accredited, with a physician-led medical team, master’s-level clinicians, and a full continuum of care on one campus in Dacula, Georgia. Treatment is evidence-based and individualized, and it addresses co-occurring mental health conditions alongside addiction rather than treating them separately. If you are weighing options, our guide to choosing a rehab in Atlanta lists the questions worth asking any program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Promises Atlanta in-network with Cigna?
Yes, for both substance use and mental health treatment. Verify your Cigna benefits or call (678) 904-8617.
Who handles Cigna behavioral health authorizations?
Cigna’s behavioral health benefits are administered by Evernorth Behavioral Health. Your card may list a separate behavioral health phone number. Our team works with Evernorth directly.
Does Cigna cover detox?
Medically necessary detox is covered; approvals are often same-day. Residential treatment requires prior authorization, typically within one to two business days.
What is Cigna’s typical out-of-pocket cost for rehab?
It depends on your deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum. We provide a written estimate before admission.
What if Cigna denies a stay?
You have the right to internal appeal and independent external review. We pursue peer-to-peer review and appeals on your behalf.
Take the First Step Today
Promises Atlanta is located at 1200 Winder Hwy, Dacula, GA 30019, and our admissions team can answer questions, check your benefits, and often schedule an assessment the same day.