How long do I have to appeal a Cigna denial?

Cigna's provider material describes a 180-calendar-day window from the initial payment or denial notice, or from the date of the last payment adjustment where one occurred. Your contract and state law can change that, so work from the remittance.

Can a payment adjustment give me more time?

Sometimes. Because the window can run from the last adjustment rather than the original decision, a claim that looks time-barred from the first denial may still be inside the window. Check the adjustment date before writing it off.

What has to be in a Cigna appeal?

The original EOB or EOP alongside documentation supporting why the decision should be overturned. An appeal that restates the claim without adding evidence gives the reviewer nothing new to act on.

Commercial

How to appeal a Cigna denial

Cigna allows roughly 180 days to appeal — but the clock can run from the last payment adjustment rather than the original denial, which cuts both ways.

Deadlines

These are the windows Cigna publishes. They vary by contract, product line and state — so treat the date on your remittance advice as the one that governs.

Appeal filing: commonly 180 calendar days; Measured from the initial payment or denial notice — or, where Cigna adjusted a payment, from the date of the last adjustment. Contract and state law can change this.
Cigna's response: commonly 45 days; Or the period applicable law requires, which varies by state and product.

Source: Cigna Healthcare — Appeals and Disputes

The appeal path

01
Claim reconsideration
For coding-edit denials and processing errors, a reconsideration through CignaforHCP.com is usually the fastest correction.
02
Formal appeal
Submit through CignaforHCP.com, the Request for Health Care Professional Payment Review form, or a written appeal letter.
03
Second-level review
Availability depends on product and state. The determination letter states what remains open to you.

Where to submit

CignaforHCP.com or Provider.Evernorth.com (reconsiderations need claims access on the account)
The Request for Health Care Professional Payment Review form
A written appeal letter to the address on the remittance

What to include

The original EOB or EOP, or the letter requesting additional information
Documentation supporting why the decision should be overturned
The claim as submitted
Any prior correspondence on the same claim

What catches practices out

A payment adjustment can restart the 180 days from the adjustment date — worth checking before you write off a claim as time-barred.
Behavioral health under a Cigna plan may be administered by Evernorth rather than Cigna's medical operation. Sending it to the wrong one burns the window.
Reconsideration through the portal requires claims/reconsideration access on the user account — a permissions problem that looks like a system outage.

Denial codes you will see most from Cigna

Common questions

How long do I have to appeal a Cigna denial?: Cigna's provider material describes a 180-calendar-day window from the initial payment or denial notice, or from the date of the last payment adjustment where one occurred. Your contract and state law can change that, so work from the remittance.
Can a payment adjustment give me more time?: Sometimes. Because the window can run from the last adjustment rather than the original decision, a claim that looks time-barred from the first denial may still be inside the window. Check the adjustment date before writing it off.
What has to be in a Cigna appeal?: The original EOB or EOP alongside documentation supporting why the decision should be overturned. An appeal that restates the claim without adding evidence gives the reviewer nothing new to act on.

Draft the Cigna appeal in about three minutes

Upload the denial. Undeny reads it, drafts an appeal letter built around the denial code and the record, and tracks the deadline until the money comes back.

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