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CignaMedicare Advantage · Prior Auth · Prior Authorization · PM&R (Physical Medicine & Rehab), Physical Therapy, Occupational TherapyHigh impact

Reminder: Change in prior authorization administration for post-acute care services, effective January 1, 2026

Act
by Dec 29, 2025
Effective date
Jan 1, 2026
Identified
Jun 18, 2026

Summary

Effective January 1, 2026, HealthSpring will take over prior authorization management for Post Acute Care services (Skilled Nursing, Inpatient Rehab, Long Term Acute Care, and Home Health) from EviCore for Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage patients. Providers must submit authorization requests through the Availity Provider Portal to HealthSpring instead of EviCore starting December 29, 2025.

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What to do

by Dec 29, 2025 · 4 steps
01Billing and clinical teams must redirect all Post Acute Care prior authorization requests with dates of service beginning January 1, 2026 or later to HealthSpring through the Availity Provider Portal instead of EviCore.
02Update workflows to ensure PAC facilities submit concurrent reviews at least two days before current authorization end dates.
03Contact HealthSpring_Home_Health_Clin_Ops@hcsc.com for Home Health questions and HealthSpring_Post_Acute_Clin_Ops@hcsc.com for Post Acute questions.
04Review new procedural code lists at HealthSpring.com/Providers starting January 1, 2026.

Original notice

Reminder: Change in prior authorization administration for post-acute care services, effective January 1, 2026
providernewsroom.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
View original ↗

Related policy hubs

Cigna policiesPM&R (Physical Medicine & Rehab)Physical TherapyOccupational Therapy

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