Anthem vs Cigna in Indiana: Mental Health Coverage Compared

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna both cover mental health care in Indiana, including therapy and, on many plans, intensive outpatient programs (IOP). The differences that matter most are who manages behavioral health (Carelon for Anthem, Evernorth for Cigna), how each handles approval for IOP, and whether you can even buy the plan yourself in 2027. For most Hoosiers, the plan your employer chose decides more than the brand does.

Cigna says it will not offer Individual and Family medical plans for 2027, so in Indiana the choice between these two is mostly an employer plan decision. This guide compares them on the points that change how you get mental health care.

This article is informational, not clinical or financial advice. Verify benefits directly with your plan and a licensed clinician before choosing coverage or starting treatment.

Anthem vs Cigna in Indiana: the short answer

Here is the side by side view, based on each company’s own public pages. Your employer’s plan document overrides any general rule in this table.

Who manages behavioral health for Anthem in Indiana?

Anthem’s network for Indiana behavioral health providers is run by Carelon Behavioral Health. Anthem’s Indiana behavioral health notice says all current in-network providers remain in the Anthem network, now managed by Carelon. It also says claims and clinical processes remain the same.

That notice came after a 2025 change to Carelon’s provider agreements caused confusion among Indiana therapists. Anthem said the original September 1, 2025 effective date was extended, and that provider pay for Anthem members was not changing. For members, the takeaway is simple: Carelon is now a name you will hear when you call.

Carelon Behavioral Health describes itself as a national behavioral health company serving more than 61 million people. When you check a therapist or program, ask whether they are in network for Anthem behavioral health through Carelon.

For more on Anthem alone, see our guide to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Indiana virtual IOP coverage.

Who manages behavioral health for Cigna?

Cigna routes behavioral care through Evernorth. Cigna’s behavioral health page for employers names Evernorth Behavioral Health among the subsidiaries that provide its services. It also lists intensive outpatient treatment among its outpatient services.

In June 2024, The Cigna Group announced it had removed prior authorization for routine outpatient mental health care. It said prior authorization is no longer needed to enroll patients in intensive outpatient programs. Self-funded employer plans can set their own rules, so confirm that yours follows the same policy.

Our guide to Cigna Indiana mental health and virtual IOP coverage covers Cigna on its own.

Can you still buy Cigna or Anthem yourself for 2027?

This is where the two carriers split. Cigna’s plan shopping page says it will no longer offer Individual and Family medical plans for 2027. If you buy your own coverage, Cigna is not on the menu for next year.

If you shop on your own, compare the plans listed for your county on HealthCare.gov, which may include Anthem. HealthCare.gov lists the open enrollment dates: November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.

Cigna’s employer plans are a separate product and are not affected by that exit. Our guide to open enrollment in Indiana covers choosing a plan for mental health.

What changes if your employer plan is self-funded?

Many Indiana workers with an Anthem or Cigna card are on a self-funded plan. HealthCare.gov defines a self-insured plan as one where the employer pays employees’ medical claims itself. It hires a company like Anthem or Cigna to run the network and paperwork.

This is the norm at larger firms. The KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey found 67% of covered workers are in self-funded plans, and 80% at firms with 200 or more workers. So your employer, not the carrier, often sets the copays and approval rules.

• Your employer picks the benefits. Therapy copays, deductibles and which services need approval come from its plan design.
• The carrier runs the day to day. It processes claims, keeps the directory and handles reviews.
• Federal rules apply. Self-funded plans are overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor, not mainly by the state.

Ask HR one question: “Is our plan fully insured or self-funded?” The answer tells you who sets the rules and where to appeal.

What does parity law require of both?

The federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act applies to most employer plans from either carrier. It generally means mental health limits cannot be stricter than comparable medical limits. That covers copays, visit caps and care rules like prior authorization.

HealthCare.gov adds that all Marketplace plans must cover behavioral health treatment, such as psychotherapy and counseling. Parity is a floor, though. It does not mean every program is in every network.

How does IOP get approved with Anthem or Cigna?

An intensive outpatient program typically means nine or more hours of structured care each week while you live at home. On most Anthem plans, IOP needs prior authorization before it starts. On Cigna plans, the 2024 policy says it does not, though your plan may differ.

HealthCare.gov defines prior authorization as the plan deciding a service is medically necessary before you get it. When approval is needed, the program usually handles it.

1. A clinician assesses you and documents why a higher level of care fits.
2. The program sends the request to Carelon for Anthem, or Evernorth for Cigna, if your plan requires one.
3. The plan approves a set number of days or sessions.
4. The program asks for more time with progress notes, if you still need it.

Virtual IOP can help in a state where many counties are far from a program. A study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found telehealth and in-person intensive treatment for adults produced comparable results. Learn more on our intensive outpatient program page.

11 min readFinding the Best Outpatient Program for AdultsMental Health

How to read your card and check a provider

Your card holds most of what you need. Look for the plan type, the network name and a behavioral health or mental health phone number.

• Check the plan type. HealthCare.gov explains the main plan types; HMOs and EPOs usually cover in-network care only.
• Search the exact plan, not just “Anthem” or “Cigna,” in the carrier’s directory.
• Call the behavioral health number and ask whether IOP by telehealth is covered.
• Write down the date, name and reference number for every call.

If a claim or approval is denied, HealthCare.gov explains how to appeal a health plan decision. The Indiana Department of Insurance consumer services team can help with fully insured plans.

Which one fits your mental health needs?

There is no single right answer, because the best plan depends on your providers and budget. If your employer offers both, compare the actual plan documents with these questions.

1. Is your therapist or program in network with Carelon or Evernorth for that exact plan?
2. What is the copay or coinsurance for therapy and for intensive outpatient care?
3. Does IOP need prior authorization on this plan, and who submits it?
4. What is the out-of-pocket maximum for in-network care in a year?
5. Does the plan cover telehealth the same way as in-person visits?

Our guide to the cost of virtual IOP in Indiana with insurance walks through the numbers in more detail.

Common questions about Anthem vs Cigna in Indiana

Is Anthem or Cigna better for mental health in Indiana?

Neither is better for everyone. The right choice depends on whether your providers are in the plan’s behavioral network and what the plan charges for therapy and IOP.

Does Anthem use Carelon for mental health in Indiana?

Yes. Anthem says its Indiana behavioral health network is now managed by Carelon Behavioral Health, and that claims and clinical processes remain the same.

Who handles mental health for Cigna?

Evernorth Behavioral Health, a Cigna Group subsidiary, provides Cigna’s behavioral health services. Call the number on your Cigna card.

Does Cigna require prior authorization for IOP?

In 2024 Cigna said prior authorization is no longer needed to enroll in intensive outpatient programs. Self-funded plans can differ, so confirm with your plan.

Can I buy a Cigna plan in Indiana for 2027?

Not as an individual. Cigna says it will no longer offer Individual and Family medical plans for 2027. Employer plans are separate.

Does Thrive work with Anthem or Cigna?

Thrive Mental Health works with most major commercial plans, including Anthem and Cigna, and networks vary by plan and state. Check your plan or ask us to verify for free.

Next steps

If you live in Indiana and weekly therapy is not enough, a benefits check can show what intensive outpatient care would cost on your plan. Thrive Mental Health is a Joint Commission accredited provider of virtual IOP for adults in Indiana, Florida, Arizona, California, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. Read more on our Anthem in Indiana and Cigna coverage pages; networks vary by plan, so check your plan or ask us to verify.

Verify your coverage with Thrive: free, confidential benefits check. Most members receive a summary within 24 hours, and you can start as soon as you are ready. Prefer to talk first? Call (561) 203-6085 or contact us.

Clinically Reviewed by Anna Green, LMHC, LPCLearn more

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized clinical advice or insurance verification.