Cigna (California)'s published appeal, dispute, and timely-filing windows are below, each quoted verbatim from Cigna (California)'s provider documentation or the governing regulation with a source link. Which window applies can depend on the product and its regulator, so confirm the product before you calendar the deadline.
Day types are not interchangeable: calendar, business, and month windows each count differently, and month windows are never converted to days. Every value below is quoted from its primary source.
Deadlines you must hit
Commercial in network claim submission
90 calendar daysClock starts: date of service
Cigna will consider: Participating provider claims submitted three (3) months [90 days] after the date of service; OR out-of-network claims submitted six (6) months [180 days] after the date of service. If services are rendered on consecutive days, such as for a hospital confinement, the limit will be counted from the last date of service.
CA provider dispute filing
365 calendar daysClock starts: date of initial payment or denial notice or adjustment
To initiate a dispute, health care providers in California must submit their request in writing within 365 calendar days from the date of the initial payment or denial notice, or if the appeal relates to an adjusted payment, within 365 calendar days from the date of the adjustment.
Commercial level 1 appeal
180 calendar daysClock starts: date of initial payment or denial decision
In general, the Single Level of the health care professional payment review process must be initiated in writing within 180 calendar days from the date of the initial payment or denial decision from Cigna.
Source: Cigna Appeal Policy and Procedures for Health Care Professionals
Payer response clocks
California HMO pos acknowledge
15 business daysClock starts: receipt of dispute
Cigna Healthcare will send a letter acknowledging a California HMO and POS dispute within 15 business days of receipt by the P.O. Box designated to receive Cigna HealthCare of California, Inc. health care provider disputes.
California HMO pos determination
45 business daysClock starts: receipt of dispute
Cigna Healthcare will send this determination letter within 45 business days of its receipt of a Cigna HealthCare of California, Inc. dispute.
PPO EPO OAP notification
75 business daysClock starts: receipt of dispute
Health care providers will receive notification of PPO, EPO and Open Access Plus Products dispute resolutions within 75 business days of receipt of the original dispute. If approved, the Explanation of Payment will serve as notice of the determination.
Reference information for provider billing teams, not legal advice. Windows depend on the plan's regulator and product, so confirm against your contracted provider manual. Sources retrieved 2026-07-04.