CIGNA Illinois CPT 90837 Benchmark Report

Request a contract review call with your payer’s provider relations department — ask for the Provider Relations line specifically, not general member services.

Cite CPT 90837, your credential type (Master’s-Level Therapist), and this RateScope benchmark as your reference. Name the cohort size and confidence rating.

Ask for their current fee schedule for your network tier for CPT 90837 in Illinois. This surfaces whether the gap is structural (tier assignment) or negotiable.

Counter-offer at the P50 minimum — use this report as the evidence base. If you are above P25 but below P50, target P50 as the floor.

If denied, ask what threshold triggers a rate review cycle for your contract class. Document this in writing — it creates a reviewable record for the next cycle.

You are in a competitive position — focus on negotiating renewal terms rather than an emergency rate review. Rates at or above the market median are defensible as market-rate contracts.

Ask for a multi-year lock at your current rate before accepting any reduction at renewal. Payers sometimes offer flat renewals; locking in protects against future compression.

Track rate changes annually. If this benchmark’s median rises in a future release, you have documented grounds to request a review that cycle.

Document this rate alongside your credentialing records. A rate above the 75th percentile is a verifiable market advantage — keep the evidence accessible.

Use this as leverage with any new payer that offers below-median rates. You have a concrete reference showing what the market actually pays for this credential and code.

When your contract comes up for renewal, cite your current position in your counter-offer. If the payer proposes a reduction, point to this benchmark to argue the existing rate is already at market.