Cigna-New York Settlement To Remove Policies Denying Coverage For Neuropsychological Autism Testing

On January 23, 2017, the New York State Attorney General (AG) announced a settlement with Cigna that will eliminate policies that banned coverage for claims for neuropsychological testing of psychiatric conditions and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Cigna agreed to reprocess denied ASD claims.

The AG’s Health Care Bureau investigated Cigna’s administration of mental health benefits following a complaint in 2016 about its written policy for neuropsychological testing. The policy said that “Cigna does not cover neuropsychological testing” for psychiatric conditions and autism spectrum disorder “because such testing is considered educational in nature and/or not medically necessary.”

The . . .