Rockville's Largest Therapy Practice Struggles with Delayed Insurer Payments

Orchard Mental Health Group forced to cut staff and limit new patients amid payment delays from CareFirst and Cigna

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:59am

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A minimalist, photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of medical files, a calculator, and a pen on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the administrative and financial challenges facing mental health practices.The administrative and financial burdens faced by Rockville's largest therapy practice reveal the broader pressures on the behavioral health industry.Rockville Today

Rockville's largest therapy practice, Orchard Mental Health Group, is facing financial difficulties due to delayed reimbursements from major insurers CareFirst and Cigna. The practice has been forced to make staff cuts and limit new patient intake as it struggles to cover payroll, raising concerns about reduced access to behavioral health care in the Rockville area.

Why it matters

The payment delays experienced by Orchard Mental Health Group and other regional behavioral health providers highlight the financial pressures facing the industry. These issues could further limit access to critical mental health services for Rockville residents who rely on CareFirst and Cigna coverage, at a time when demand for such care remains high.

The details

Orchard Mental Health Group, a Rockville-based practice, has been grappling with months of delayed reimbursements from insurers CareFirst and Cigna. This has forced the practice to make staff cuts and limit the number of new patients it can accept, in order to cover payroll and other operational costs. Along with other regional providers, Orchard is warning that the ongoing payment problems could further reduce access to behavioral health care for Rockville-area residents who rely on these insurers.

  • Orchard Mental Health Group has been experiencing delayed payments from CareFirst and Cigna for several months.
  • The practice has been forced to make staff cuts and limit new patient intake in recent weeks to cope with the financial pressures.

The players

Orchard Mental Health Group

A Rockville-based therapy practice that is the largest in the area, and is struggling with delayed insurance payments from CareFirst and Cigna.

CareFirst

A major health insurance provider that has been slow to reimburse Orchard Mental Health Group and other regional behavioral health practices.

Cigna

Another major insurer that has delayed payments to Orchard Mental Health Group and other providers in the Rockville area.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The financial challenges facing Orchard Mental Health Group and other regional behavioral health providers due to delayed insurance payments highlight the broader pressures on the industry. These issues could further limit access to critical mental health services for Rockville residents, underscoring the need for solutions to ensure the sustainability of community-based practices.