Enabling members to search areas of expertise and other factors when
choosing a therapist
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- CIGNA Behavioral Health
(CBH) members can now view robust, online provider profiles that offer a
photograph and biographical information about therapists including license
levels, languages spoken, educational background, areas of specialization
and years of experience. Available at http://www.cignabehavioral.com , the
online Provider Directory and Search Tool offers participants the ability
to browse for a provider who best suits their personal needs and
preferences. The company is the first managed behavioral health
organization to offer the provider profile pages with photographs, and
search hits have already reached 700,000 this year.
"I have had many referrals from CBH through the web site since the
online profiles were implemented," said licensed psychologist, Lois Schatz,
PsyD, of New York. "My patients even tell me that they came to me because
they like what I had to say and they felt like they knew me and thought I
could be empathetic. I have seen an increase in return visits after the
initial visit because patients are finding a therapist who best fits their
needs from the onset. This is a real differentiator for CBH."
Nearly 10,000 providers in CBH's network have populated their personal
profiles, including a photograph. The provider directory is updated daily
and therefore the information is continually refreshed.
"The real focus is on the consumer," said Larry Gleit, senior director,
network performance management for CIGNA Behavioral Health. "From our
perspective, therapy is a very private and personal experience. Having the
provider's profile on the web site offers a 'virtual introduction,' which
has helped our members select the provider they think best matches their
personal needs."
The web site also has a confidential self-assessment tool, which helps
participants gauge their state of behavioral health, stress level, and
general well-being. The company said that in the future, it intends to
offer quality and cost comparison information, as well as post feedback
from members who have accessed services from a provider in the past.
Members without Internet access can still review the newly-enhanced
provider profiles by calling a CBH personal advocate, who will send the
provider information through the mail.
About CIGNA Behavioral Health
CIGNA Behavioral Health (CBH) provides behavioral care benefit
management, EAPs, and work/life programs to consumers through health plans
offered by large U.S. employers, national and regional HMOs, Taft-Hartley
trusts and disability insurers. CBH, with headquarters in Eden Prairie,
Minn., operates care management centers around the U.S. in support of a
national network of more than 56,800 independent psychiatrists,
psychologists and clinical social workers and more than 5,100 facilities
and clinics. For more information, visit http://www.CIGNABehavioral.com.
SOURCE CIGNA Behavioral Health
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Related links:
http://www.cignabehavioral.com
http://www.cigna.com
CONTACT:
Arlys Stadum of CIGNA, +1-763-559-5587,
Arlys.Stadum@cigna.com
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