MMA Joins Letter to Cigna on Easing Administrative Burdens

April 27, 2023

The MMA and 107 other healthcare advocacy groups signed on to a letter sent April 18 to Cigna leadership, expressing concerns with its forthcoming policy that requires the submission of office notes with all claims including evaluation and management services, and modifier 25 when a minor procedure is billed. 

“We urge Cigna to reconsider this policy due to its negative impact on practice administrative costs and burdens across medical specialties and geographic regions, as well as its potential negative effect on patients,” said the letter signed by 41 state medical associations and 67 specialty groups.  

The letter-writers suggested collaborating with Cigna on different ways to ensure the correct usage of modifier 25 that do not unfairly punish the majority of physicians and other healthcare professionals that code appropriately. 

“There is a growing problem with physician burnout, and policies like these are adding to that burnout,” said MMA President Will Nicholson, MD.  “This proposed requirement adds hassles and burdens that don’t improve patient care.”