November 2007
CIGNA covers direct referral to 'talking therapies'
CIGNA HealthCare has announced that it now covers direct referral from a GP or occupational
health (OH) physician to a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) practitioner without
the need for a formal psychiatric assessment.
Previously, all patients with mental health problems had to be assessed and supervised
by a consultant psychiatrist.
If a GP or OH physician is unable to source a CBT practitioner, CIGNA will help
to source one through current contacts.
CIGNA marketing director
Ann
Dougan said: "With the Health Secretary pledging £170m
to help people receive CBT and work and pensions minister Lord McKenzie calling
on businesses to tackle mental health conditions in the workplace, this is an issue
that needs to be addressed and tackled directly.
"There's no doubt that mental illness is increasing in the UK. With work-related
stress accounting for over a third of all new incidences of ill-health, we felt that our healthcare benefits should be geared towards providing direct and evidence-based
treatment."
- Ends-
For further information please contact
Nichola Dobricki, CIGNA’s Marketing
Development Executive on 01475 492415, Nichola.dobricki@cigna.com
or the CIGNA press office on 01475 492484.
Notes to Editors:
CIGNA HealthCare is one of the UK’s leading providers of employee health benefits
and services, including: private medical insurance, managed care services, cover
for expatriates, corporate dental plans and absence management and occupational
health services.