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CignaAll Plans · Documentation · General · Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine +3 moreMedium impact

Prioritizing early mental health and substance use screening in 2026-2027

Effective date
Jan 1, 2027
Identified
Jun 25, 2026

Summary

Cigna is updating medical record review indicators effective 2027 to require documentation of early mental health and substance use screening. New standards align with AAP and USPSTF guidelines: tobacco, alcohol, and depression screening for youth age 11+, adults, and pregnant/postpartum women; anxiety screening for youth age 8+, adults, and pregnant/postpartum women. Providers should begin implementing these screenings during wellness visits prior to the 2026-2027 school year to ensure compliant documentation.

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What to do

Action · 4 steps
01Before 2026-2027 school year: Providers must update wellness visit protocols and EMR templates to document anxiety screening for patients age 8+, depression screening for patients age 11+, and tobacco/alcohol screening for patients age 11+, plus all three for adults and pregnant/postpartum women.
02Billing team must ensure claims include appropriate documentation codes supporting preventive mental health/substance use screening per Cigna's Preventive Care Services (A004) administrative policy.
03Review Cigna's Ambulatory Medical Record Review (AMRR) documentation guidelines at CignaforHCP.com.
04By 2027, all medical records must demonstrate compliant screening documentation or claims may face review denials and quality measure non-compliance.

Original notice

Prioritizing early mental health and substance use screening in 2026-2027
providernewsroom.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
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Related changes

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Early screening for anxiety, depression, and substance use can make a significant differenceLowNo effective date · GeneralBrowse every Cigna change in the policy list

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Cigna policiesPediatricsFamily MedicineInternal MedicineOB-GYNPsychiatryGeneral Practice

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