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CignaAll Plans · Prior Auth · Medical Policy · IL, MD, OR, CA · Psychiatry, Pediatrics, OB-GYNMedium impact

Summary of Provider Newsroom behavioral health articles

Act
by Aug 29, 2026
Effective date
Aug 29, 2026
Identified
Sep 2, 2026

Summary

This is a newsroom summary page recapping behavioral health articles from August 2026, including three actionable policy updates: LOCUS/CALOCUS-CASII criteria adoption in Illinois, Maryland, and Oregon (effective August 29, 2026); maternity coding updates using new AMA CPT framework; and California HMO access standards. The page itself is informational and does not constitute a direct policy change.

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What to do

by Aug 29, 2026 · 4 steps
01Billing and clinical teams in Illinois, Maryland, and Oregon must implement LOCUS criteria for patients aged 19+ and CALOCUS-CASII criteria for patients aged 6-18 in behavioral health claims and authorization processes.
02Update prior authorization systems, care management documentation templates, and level-of-care assessment tools to align with these criteria.
03Review maternity coding guidelines (referenced but not detailed in this summary) and update CPT coding processes to reflect the new AMA maternity framework replacing the traditional global package.
04California providers must ensure encounter documentation meets HMO appointment access standards.
If missed: Failure to adopt required criteria may result in claim denials and compliance violations.

Original notice

Summary of Provider Newsroom behavioral health articles
providernewsroom.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
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Related changes

See all Cigna changes →
Summary of Provider Newsroom behavioral health articlesLowNo effective date · CoverageSummary of Provider Newsroom behavioral health articlesLowNo effective date · GeneralLOCUS and CALOCUS-CASII criteria adoption in Illinois, Maryland, and OregonMediumEffective Aug 29, 2026 · Medical PolicySummary of Provider Newsroom behavioral health articlesLowNo effective date · GeneralBrowse every Cigna change in the policy list

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Cigna policiesIL policy changesMD policy changesOR policy changesCA policy changesPsychiatryPediatricsOB-GYN

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