Join the Evernorth Behavioral Health Provider Network

Thank you for your interest in becoming a part of the Evernorth Behavioral Health network. Your participation is crucial to our mission of enhancing the health, well-being, and security of the individuals we serve. This page provides detailed instructions on how to apply to Evernorth as an individual practitioner, clinic, autism clinic, and/or facility. It is important to note that Evernorth Behavioral Health network providers are required to treat all covered patients equitably and must agree to participate across all service locations under their Tax ID Numbers.

Minimum Credentialing Requirements for Evernorth Health Services Providers

Before you begin your application to join the Evernorth Health Services network, please review the following essential credentialing requirements to ensure you meet the basic eligibility criteria:

Independent Practice License: You must hold a valid license to practice independently, without supervision, in the specific state where you intend to provide services.
Professional Liability Insurance: Maintaining adequate professional liability insurance is mandatory, with the following minimum coverage limits:
- Physicians and Psychiatric Nurses with Prescriptive Authority: $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate.
- All Other Provider Types: $1 million per occurrence and $1 million aggregate.
- State-Specific Exceptions:
  - Texas: While Evernorth’s minimum is $1 million/$1 million, the recommended minimum in Texas is $200,000 per occurrence and $500,000 aggregate.
  - Florida: Similarly, while Evernorth’s minimum is $1 million/$1 million, Florida’s recommended minimum is $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
  - State-Regulated Coverage: In states with patient compensation funds or regulations on required insurance amounts, providers must meet at least the state’s minimum requirements if they do not meet Evernorth Behavioral Health’s standard minimums.
- Federal Tort Coverage: Providers covered under the Federal Tort Claims Act are exempt from Evernorth Behavioral Health’s minimum insurance requirements. These providers must submit a copy of their federal tort coverage letter or an attestation confirming their federal tort coverage as part of their credentialing file.

Applying to the Evernorth Behavioral Health Network: Step-by-Step Guides

For Individual Practitioners

This category includes individual practitioners and new providers who are affiliated with already contracted clinics and facilities seeking to join the Evernorth Health Services network.

Complete the Provider Information Form: To initiate your application, please fill out the Evernorth Behavioral Health Provider Information Form. This form gathers essential details about your practice and qualifications.
Application Review and Recruiter Assignment: Once you submit your application, a dedicated recruiter will be assigned to manage your case.
Recruiter Outreach: Within 21 business days of your application submission (or as legally mandated), your assigned recruiter will contact you with the subsequent steps in the credentialing and contracting process.
Email Communication: All communications will be sent to the email address you provide in the “Contracting/Credentialing” field within the Professional Contact Information section of the application form.
For Existing Evernorth Providers: If you are already contracted with Evernorth Behavioral Health and only need to update your demographic information, please visit the Health Care Provider Directory Changes page for instructions.

Application Timeline: The entire process to join the Evernorth Behavioral Health network typically takes up to 90 days from application submission to completion (or as otherwise required by law). If you are working with a third-party agency or clearinghouse for credentialing and contracting assistance, please inform them of this 90-day timeframe.

Communication During the Application Process: Throughout the application process, Evernorth Health Services will keep you informed with timely updates:

Application Receipt Confirmation: You will receive confirmation that your application has been successfully received.
Missing Information Requests: If any documentation or information is missing from your application, we will promptly request it. Please ensure timely submission of requested information to avoid application closure.
Credentialing Process Updates: We will provide regular updates on the progress of your application through the credentialing verification process.
Approval or Non-Approval Notification: Upon completion of the credentialing process, you will be notified of your approval as a network-participating provider, including your effective date, or informed if your application has not been approved.

Questions? For any inquiries during the individual practitioner application process, please contact your recruiter directly or email [email protected]. Always include your NPI or TIN in all communications for efficient processing.

Individual Practitioners at Cigna-Participating Medical Practices:

Not Accepting Direct Referrals: If you provide behavioral health services within a Cigna-participating medical practice and do not accept direct referrals from the broader community, please call 1.800.88.Cigna (1.800.882.4462) to apply under the practice’s medical contract.
Accepting Direct Referrals and/or Private Practice: If you provide behavioral health services at a Cigna-participating medical practice and do accept direct referrals from the community, OR if you also provide behavioral health services outside of the medical practice (such as in your private practice), you should apply to join the Evernorth Behavioral Health Network by submitting the Evernorth Behavioral Health Provider Information Form.

Important Notice for Texas Providers: Cigna will be accepting applications for network participation from physicians and other providers in Texas only during a specific period: December 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. All applicants must meet all credentialing and participation criteria. Applications will be reviewed, and responses will be provided within 90 days of receipt.

For Providers in Maryland, Ohio, or Washington: The standard Evernorth Behavioral Health Provider Information Form is not required for practitioners in Maryland, Ohio, or Washington. Instead, please email [email protected] with your participation request and include the following information for identification:

Full Name (First, Middle Initial, Last)
CAQH ID (Accepted, but not required for Washington)
Tax Identification Number (TIN)
National Provider Identifier (NPI)
License Type (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, MD, LP)
Primary Mailing Address
Service Location(s)
Phone Number (for contracting/credentialing purposes)

You can expect a response within 15 business days (or as legally required).

For Providers in Minnesota, North Dakota, or Western Wisconsin: In these specific markets, the Evernorth Behavioral Health network operates through an alliance with HealthPartners. To be considered for a contract, please complete the HealthPartners Behavioral Health Contract Application, accessible through the HealthPartners Provider Portal.

For Clinics

Clinics, in the context of Evernorth Health Services network applications, are defined as groups of behavioral health providers sharing the same TIN, physical location, and administrative support staff.

Submit a Screening Application: To initiate the consideration process for your clinic’s network participation, download and complete the Screening Application for Behavioral Health Clinics.
Required Documentation: Submit the completed screening application along with the following essential attachments to the Evernorth Behavioral Contracting Unit at [email protected]:
- Service location form(s) for each location.
- Completed W-9 forms for the clinic.
- Proof of current professional liability insurance coverage. This must be a policy face sheet or certificate of insurance clearly indicating liability limits, expiration date, and must not be a binder policy.
Response Timeline: Evernorth Behavioral Health will review your clinic’s application and respond via email within 60 calendar days. The response will be sent to the email address provided as the “Primary Clinic Contracting Contact” on the application.

Application Timeline: Similar to individual practitioners, the complete process for clinic network participation can take up to 90 days (or as legally mandated). Please ensure any third-party agencies or clearinghouses assisting you are aware of this timeframe.

Communication During Clinic Application: Throughout the clinic application process, Evernorth Health Services will maintain clear communication:

Application Confirmation: Confirmation of receipt of your clinic’s application.
Requests for Missing Information: Prompt notification and requests for any missing documentation or information. Failure to provide requested information may lead to application closure.
Credentialing Status Updates: Regular updates on the progress of your clinic’s credentialing verification process.
Approval/Non-Approval Notification: Notification of your clinic’s approval to join the network, including the effective date, or notification if the application is not approved.

Questions? For any questions during the clinic application process, please email your recruiter or [email protected], and always include your clinic’s NPI or TIN in all correspondence.

For Autism Clinics

Autism clinics, specifically for Evernorth Health Services network applications, are groups of autism service providers operating under a shared TIN, location, and administrative structure.

Complete the Screening Application for Autism Services: To begin the process of considering your autism clinic for network participation, please download and complete the Screening Application for Autism Services.
Required Documentation: Submit the completed application, along with the following necessary documents, to the Evernorth Behavioral Contracting Unit at [email protected]:
- Service location form(s) for each service location.
- Completed W-9 forms for the autism clinic.
- Proof of current professional liability insurance coverage (policy face sheet or certificate of insurance showing liability limits and expiration date; binder policies are not acceptable).
- A sample of your clinic’s standardized treatment record forms.
Response Time: Evernorth Behavioral Health will review your autism clinic’s application and provide a response via email within 60 calendar days. This response will be sent to the “Primary clinic contracting contact” email address listed on your application.

Application Timeline: The overall application process for autism clinics to join the Evernorth Health Services network can take up to 90 days (or as legally required). Please ensure any third-party agencies or clearinghouses assisting you are aware of this timeframe.

Communication During Autism Clinic Application: Evernorth Health Services is committed to clear communication throughout the application process:

Application Receipt Confirmation: Confirmation that your autism clinic’s application has been received.
Requests for Missing Information: Prompt requests for any missing documents or information. Failure to provide requested information may result in application closure.
Credentialing Process Updates: Regular updates on the status of your autism clinic’s credentialing verification process.
Approval/Non-Approval Notification: Notification of approval to join the network, including the effective date, or notification if the application is not approved.

Questions? For any questions during the autism clinic application process, please reach out to your recruiter or [email protected], and remember to include your clinic’s NPI or TIN in all communications.

For Facilities

Facilities, for the purpose of Evernorth Health Services network participation, encompass hospitals, residential treatment centers, and programs offering partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient services for mental health or substance use disorders.

Complete the Facility Information Form: To initiate the process of considering your facility for network participation, please complete the Evernorth Behavioral Health Facility Information Form.
Auto-Reply Confirmation: Upon submitting your application, your facility will receive an automated email response outlining next steps and expected timeframes.

Application Timeline: The complete process for facilities to join the Evernorth Behavioral Health network can take up to 90 days (or as legally mandated).

Communication During Facility Application: Throughout the facility application process, Evernorth Health Services will provide consistent updates:

Application Confirmation: Confirmation that your facility’s application has been received.
Missing Information Requests: Requests for any missing documentation or information. Failure to provide requested information may lead to application closure.
Credentialing Process Updates: Regular updates on the progress of your facility’s credentialing verification process.
Approval/Non-Approval Notification: Notification of approval to join the network, including your effective date, or notification if your application has not been approved.

Facility Application Status: To inquire about the status of your Facility Information Form submission, please email [email protected].

Minimum Credentialing Requirements for Facilities: Facilities must also meet specific minimum credentialing requirements, including:

Valid State License/Certificate/Permit: A current and valid state license, certificate, or permit for all services and programs offered, if applicable.
Professional and General Liability Insurance: Maintaining both professional and general liability insurance with the following minimum limits:
- Hospital/Residential Setting: $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate.
- Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs: $1 million per occurrence and $1 million aggregate.
Accreditation: Accreditation from one of the following recognized organizations is required*:
- The Joint Commission
- Association of Academic Health Centers (AAHC)
- Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
- American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
- Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP)
- Council on Accreditation (COA)
- DNV GL NIAHO®
*Accreditation by other organizations may be considered on a case-by-case basis.