Cigna is set to extend its coverage of mental health conditions across the entire product range.
It will offer increased psychiatric care, addiction rehabilitation programmes and online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that meet new National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) guidelines.
The move is part of its focus on the area following the introduction of condition management guides designed to improve understanding and management of mental health conditions.
For outpatient psychiatric care a full refund will be now offered with up to £15,000 covered for inpatient and day case treatment.
As part of its addiction treatment programme, Cigna has will also offer an alternative to traditional inpatient detox and rehabilitation programmes.
This involves a combination of home detox and rehabilitation on an outpatient basis allowing patients to choose the course of treatment and setting that will be most successful for them.
Cigna is also introducing online CBT for mild to moderate anxiety and depression.
This offers choice to customers who may prefer an online course to traditional face-to-face treatment.
The provider said that each of these enhancements reflects the latest research and guidelines for clinical best practice provided by Nice.
The changes will take effect on 1 April for the large corporate aimed Healthcare Plan and the mid-market SmarterHealth products.
All other remaining products will be revised in October.
Kirsty Jagielko, head of product management at Cigna, said: "The most appropriate and effective means for treating mental health conditions is in most cases within the outpatient setting via cognitive behavioural therapy so we're delighted to now be able to offer full refund for appropriate treatments.
"There are conditions that benefit from a blended approach of inpatient, day case and outpatient treatment so it was important to reflect that in our new in patient benefit limit.
"These enhancements represent our ongoing commitment to supporting patient choice and the most appropriate care for all our customers," she added.
