CommercialAdministrativeMedium impact
Where you refer matters: Expanded 2026 Behavioral COE options that support follow-up care
Cigna·Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Practice +3 more·Network
Effective date
Jan 13, 2026
We identified it
Jun 18, 2026
Summary
Evernorth/Cigna has updated their 2026 Behavioral Health Centers of Excellence (COE) program with expanded facility options and refined quality criteria focusing on follow-up care metrics. The program now includes 243 child/adolescent mental health access points, 484 adult mental health access points, 616 substance use disorder access points, and 66 eating disorder access points nationwide.
Action Required
Update referral processes to prioritize COE-designated behavioral health facilities when making referrals for patients with Cigna Healthcare or Evernorth coverage. Train staff to use online directories at Cigna.com, myCigna.com, or well.Evernorth.com to locate COE facilities, or call the phone number on patient ID cards. Update referral protocols to emphasize facilities meeting the new follow-up care quality metrics.