Evernorth expands Behavioral Care Group to 5,000 Providers Nationwide, Targets 15,000 in 2026

Alongside provider growth, Evernorth has introduced in-person appointments to complement its virtual services, creating a hybrid care model.

Cigna-owned Evernorth has expanded its Behavioral Care Group to more than 5,000 providers nationwide, marking a significant scale-up of its behavioral health-focused medical group launched in 2024 to address growing demand for mental health care.

Over the past 18 months, the Behavioral Care Group has grown from a virtual-first model operating in six markets with roughly 1,000 providers to a nationwide network spanning all 50 states.

Evernorth executives said the company plans to further expand the group to more than 15,000 providers in 2026.

Alongside provider growth, Evernorth has introduced in-person appointments to complement its virtual services, creating a hybrid care model. According to the company, patients can choose between virtual or in-person visits without delays, with appointments consistently available within 72 hours.

The Behavioral Care Group offers individual, couples, and family therapy, covering a broad range of clinical and personal concerns. These include anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, substance use, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, grief, parenting challenges, and relationship issues.

Evernorth executives said the medical group relies on data-driven, measurement-informed care. All providers use evidence-based tools to track patient progress, allowing for ongoing assessment and timely adjustments to treatment plans.

Clinical outcomes reported by the company show that 84% of patients experienced a clinically significant reduction in depression or anxiety symptoms while receiving care through the Behavioral Care Group.

“We continuously refine our patient-to-provider matching capabilities to pair people with providers that have the clinical expertise to treat them,” said Arianna Arneson, clinical director of the Evernorth Behavioral Care Group, in a statement. She added that outcome tracking plays a central role in care delivery.

The Behavioral Care Group also works with physician practices to support coordinated referrals and data exchange. Through partnerships with health plans, Evernorth identifies individuals who may be experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, or other behavioral health needs and connects them to treatment, executives said.

Eva Borden, president of behavioral health at Evernorth, previously said the medical group was designed to address multiple access-related challenges in behavioral health care, including wait times and provider availability.

Evernorth did not disclose financial details related to the expansion.

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