Cigna realizes depression can often be identified and treated in the primary care setting, and we encourage you to screen, diagnose, and treat depression when appropriate. We also want you to be aware of the tools and resources Cigna offers to support you and your patients with Cigna administered coverage who are diagnosed with depression.

Questions Health Care Professionals Can Ask Patients

Although several formal screening tools are available, asking your patients two simple, preliminary questions has been found to be an effective tool for triggering a full evaluation of depression symptoms:

• Over the past two weeks have you felt let down, depressed, or hopeless?
• Over the past two weeks have you felt little or no interest or pleasure in doing things?

If your patients answer “yes” to either of these two questions, it could be an indicator that a full screening is necessary. Cigna offers resources and information that may be helpful to you when making a more in-depth diagnosis and treating depression for your patients with Cigna coverage.

Information and Resources for Health Care Professionals

Health care professionals may log in to CignaforHCP.com to access these resources:

• Tools for help with assessing and managing depression
• Medication management resources
• Primary care physician guidelines for depression, which includes phases of treatment and PHQ-9 patient depression questionnaire

Cigna Offers Support to Your Patients

Encourage your patients covered under Cigna administered plans to log in to myCigna.com (Manage My Health > My Health Programs & Resources) to learn about these additional resources that may be available to them through their Cigna plan:

• Causes, Prevention & Treatments
• Communities & Organizations
• Tools & Resources

Patients may also call the toll-free number on their Cigna ID card for more information.

Cigna’s mission is to help the people we serve improve their health, well-being, and sense of security. By working together, we can help attain better outcomes for your patients with Cigna coverage who are diagnosed with depression.

For additional information and resources, log in to CignforHCP.com or call Cigna Customer Service at 1.800.227.8160