Cigna ABA therapy coverage in Colorado
We handle the Cigna paperwork. You focus on your child.
Cigna offers ABA therapy for children with autism in Colorado - and Achieve Behavioral manages the entire insurance process start to finish.
Authorization. Claims. Reauthorization. We take care of it so you don't have to.
How Cigna covers ABA therapy in Colorado
Colorado autism insurance law requires coverage
Colorado law mandates that health insurance plans, including Cigna, cover ABA therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder. This means your Cigna plan is required to provide benefits for medically necessary ABA services.
What Cigna typically offers
✔ BCBA assessments and treatment planning
✔ Direct ABA therapy sessions (in-home, school-based, community-based)
✔ Parent training and caregiver support
✔ Ongoing BCBA supervision and treatment adjustments
Cigna plan types in Colorado
Cigna offers several plan types in Colorado, including:
✔ Cigna PPO plans
✔ Cigna HMO plans
✔ Cigna OAP (Open Access Plus)
✔ Cigna Local Plus
Coverage details vary by plan, but all are required to cover medically necessary ABA therapy under Colorado law.
The Cigna authorization process (we handle this)
You know exactly what to expect.
Step 1: We verify your benefits
Within 48 hours of receiving your intake paperwork, we contact Cigna to verify your coverage, check your deductible, and confirm any out-of-pocket costs.
Step 2: We submit the prior authorization request
ABA therapy requires prior authorization from Cigna. We submit all necessary documentation—including the autism diagnosis, BCBA assessment, and treatment plan—directly to Cigna.
Step 3: Cigna reviews and approves
Cigna typically reviews authorization requests within 10-14 business days. We follow up with Cigna throughout the process and keep you updated on the status.
Step 4: Therapy begins
Once Cigna approves the authorization, we match your child with a qualified therapist and begin services. You don't lift a finger.
Step 5: We handle reauthorization
Cigna authorizations are typically approved for 3-6 months at a time. Before your authorization expires, we submit a reauthorization request with updated progress data. You never experience a gap in services.
What families pay with Cigna
Your out of pocket costs depend on your specific Cigna plan.
Your out of pocket costs depend on your specific Cigna plan.
Most families pay:
✔ Deductible (if not yet met)
✔ Copay per session (typically $10-$50)
✔ Coinsurance (typically 10-20% of the session cost)
Once you hit your plan's out-of-pocket maximum, Cigna covers 100% of ABA therapy costs for the rest of the calendar year.
We tell you what to expect upfront
During the verification process, we'll tell you exactly what your financial responsibility will be - before therapy starts. No surprises.
Why Achieve makes Cigna coverage easy
We verify benefits within 48 hours
You submit your intake paperwork. We contact Cigna and verify your coverage within two business days. You know what to expect before therapy begins.
We submit all claims directly to Cigna
After each therapy session, we bill Cigna directly. You receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) in the mail showing what Cigna paid and what (if anything) you owe.
Helpful Cigna resources
Cigna Member Portal - myCigna
Log in to check your benefits, view claims, and find in-network providers.
Find a Cigna Provider
Search for in-network behavioral health providers (Achieve is already in-network)
Cigna Customer Service
Contact Cigna with questions about your plan or benefits. Customer service: 1-800-244-6224
Cigna Behavioral Health Resources
Learn about mental health and behavioral health coverage.
Colorado Division of Insurance
File a complaint or learn about your rights as a Colorado insurance consumer.
Common questions about Cigna ABA therapy coverage
Does Cigna cover ABA therapy in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado law requires Cigna to cover medically necessary ABA therapy for children with autism.
Do I need a referral from my pediatrician?
It depends on your specific Cigna plan. Some Cigna plans require a referral; others do not. We'll verify this during the benefits check.
How long does Cigna authorization take?
Cigna typically reviews prior authorization requests within 10-14 business days.
How many ABA therapy hours does Cigna cover?
The number of authorized hours depends on your child's clinical need as determined by the BCBA assessment. Cigna does not have a predetermined hour cap—coverage is based on medical necessity.
What if Cigna denies coverage?
If Cigna denies an authorization request, we file an appeal on your behalf with supporting clinical documentation. Denials are rare when the request is properly documented.
Does Cigna cover parent training?
Yes. Parent training is a required component of ABA therapy and is covered under your Cigna benefits.
Can I use Cigna for ABA therapy at home and at school?
What happens when my authorization expires?
We submit reauthorization requests before your current authorization expires, so there's no gap in services.
Colorado locations we serve with Cigna coverage
Achieve Behavioral provides ABA therapy to families with Cigna insurance throughout the Denver metro area and surrounding Colorado communities.
✔ Denver
✔ Aurora
✔ Lakewood
✔ Arvada
✔ Westminster
✔ Thornton
✔ Centennial
✔ Littleton
✔ Parker
✔ Castle Rock
✔ Highlands Ranch
✔ Lone Tree
✔ Englewood
✔ Greenwood Village
✔ Cherry Hills Village
✔ Broomfield
✔ Northglenn
✔ Commerce City
✔ Brighton
✔ Wheat Ridge
✔ Golden Superior
✔ Lafayete
✔ Longmont
✔ Boulder
Ready to use your Cigna benefits for ABA therapy?
Achieve Behavioral handles the entire Cigna insurance process - from verification to authorization to billing - so you can focus on what matters: your child's progress.
