Cigna dental insurance is a type of health insurance that helps cover the costs of dental care.
You can buy Cigna dental insurance as an individual or as part of a group plan through your employer.
Cigna offers a variety of dental insurance plans, including basic, standard, and premium plans.
Each plan has different levels of coverage and costs, so it's essential to choose the one that best fits your needs.
What Cigna Dental Insurance Covers
Cigna Dental 1500 offers the most coverage for check-ups, cavities, gum disease, and major dental work, as well as braces and other orthodontia.
There's a six-month waiting period for restorative care, but Cigna waives it if you had a qualified dental insurance plan in place for at least 12 consecutive months before enrolling.
You can see any dentist while enrolled in the 1500 dental plan, but you'll pay less when seeing a Cigna DPPO Network Advantage dentist.
You can search for in-network dentists on the Cigna website.
Most dental plans cover preventive care at $0 cost, including dental exams and cleanings every six months, and certain types of mouth x-rays.
Restorative care, such as fillings and tooth extractions, is also covered, but the cost varies depending on the complexity of the treatment.
Orthodontic care, which includes correcting teeth and bite alignment, is also covered by some dental insurance plans.
Here's a breakdown of the types of coverage you may consider when shopping for a dental plan:
- Preventive dental care: Covers dental exams, cleanings, and certain types of mouth x-rays.
- Restorative care: Covers fillings, tooth extractions, root canals, crowns, bridges, and dentures.
- Orthodontic care: Covers correcting teeth and bite alignment.
Plan Costs and Features
Cigna offers three dental plans, each with varying costs and features. The Cigna website advertises the average monthly rate for their 1500 plan is $39 per person, per month.
You can expect to pay $33 per person, per month for the Dental 1000 plan, which has a $1,000 calendar year benefit maximum. The Preventive plan is the most affordable option, with an average cost of $19 per person, per month and no deductibles or copays.
Here's a breakdown of the deductibles and maximums for the 1500 plan:
What's Not Covered
Some dental treatments may not be covered by your insurance plan, depending on the type of plan you choose. For example, if you opt for a preventive dental plan, services like bridges, crowns, dentures, and root canals may not be included.
Anything cosmetic, like teeth whitening and veneers, is typically not covered by dental insurance. This is because these treatments are considered elective.
Orthodontic appliances, such as braces, removable teeth aligners, or retainers, may also not be included in all types of dental plans. If you're looking for dental insurance with orthodontic benefits, make sure to understand the details of any plan you're considering.
Here are some examples of dental treatments that may not be covered by your insurance plan:
- Anything cosmetic, such as teeth whitening and veneers.
- Orthodontic appliances, such as braces, removable teeth aligners, or retainers.
The key to making sure your dental plan covers certain types of treatment is to plan ahead for the dental care you and your family expect to need.
Healthcare Plan Features
Understanding the features of your healthcare plan is crucial in making the most out of your coverage. You'll want to carefully review your plan details to know what's included and what's not.
A dental deductible is a set dollar amount you must pay before your dental plan starts to help pay for non-preventive care. This amount can vary depending on your plan.
You may have to pay a dental copay when visiting a dentist, which can be a fee that counts towards meeting your deductible. This fee is usually paid at the time of the visit.
Coinsurance is how you and your dental plan share costs after meeting your deductible. It's shown as a percentage of what you'll pay versus what your plan will pay. For example, an 80%/20% coinsurance means the plan pays 80% and you pay 20%.
You can choose a network general dentist (NGD) who will provide all your routine care and refer you to specialists when necessary. Each of your enrolled dependents can also choose their own NGD.
Certain dental preventive care services are covered at little-to-no-extra cost when using your primary network dentist. This can be a great perk for maintaining good oral health.
If your plan includes coverage for orthodontic services, you can see a network orthodontist without a referral. However, out-of-network services are not covered, unless for emergencies and where required by law as shown in your plan documents.
Here's a quick rundown of the key features to keep in mind:
- Dental deductible: a set dollar amount you must pay before your plan starts to help pay for non-preventive care.
- Dental copay: a fee that counts towards meeting your deductible and is usually paid at the time of the visit.
- Coinurance: how you and your plan share costs after meeting your deductible, shown as a percentage of what you'll pay versus what your plan will pay.
- Network general dentist (NGD): a dentist who provides routine care and refers you to specialists when necessary.
- Coverage for orthodontic services: included in some plans, allowing you to see a network orthodontist without a referral.
Plan Costs
Cigna's dental plans offer varying costs and features. The average monthly rate for their 1500 plan is $39 per person, with deductibles and maximums that apply to both in-network and out-of-network care.
Preventive services are an important part of any dental plan, and Cigna's Preventive plan offers no deductibles or copays for covered services, with an average monthly rate of just $19 per person.
For those who need more comprehensive coverage, Cigna's 1000 plan offers a more affordable option, with an average monthly rate of $33 per person. This plan has a $1,000 calendar year benefit maximum for Class I, II, and III services.
The costs for dental insurance can vary widely, depending on the type of plan you choose and what it covers. A full-coverage dental plan may cost more, but it can provide peace of mind and financial protection for more complex dental treatments.
Here's a breakdown of the average monthly rates for Cigna's dental plans:
Keep in mind that these rates are averages, and your actual costs may vary depending on your specific needs and circumstances.
Use Savings or Spending Account for Eligible Expenses
You can use your savings or spending account for eligible dental expenses. This can be a great way to save money on out-of-pocket costs.
There are three main types of spending/savings accounts: health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement account (HRA), and flexible spending account (FSA). These accounts can be used to reimburse yourself for certain eligible health care-related costs.
You can typically use these accounts to reimburse yourself for certain eligible health care-related costs, including dental services. This can help you save money on dental expenses, and even some dental plans may not have deductibles to pay before coverage begins.
Benefits and Options
With Cigna dental insurance, you can enjoy lower out-of-pocket costs for non-preventive dental care. This is because the insurance company negotiates with dentists in their network to offer you lower costs.
Most dental plans cover 100% for routine preventive dental care, including a dental exam, cleaning, and some x-rays every six months. For children, it may also include fluoride and other pediatric preventive dental care.
Good dental health can have a positive impact on overall health, too. By keeping your teeth and gums healthy, you can help avoid serious health problems like heart disease and even worsen existing conditions like diabetes and coronary artery disease.
Here are some benefits of having Cigna dental insurance:
- Lower out-of-pocket costs for non-preventive dental care
- $0 preventive dental care
- Good dental health impacts other health, too
Cigna Dental Insurance Plans
Cigna offers a total of three dental plans, including a Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) plan and a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan.
The Cigna DHMO plan has no deductibles, annual dollar maximums, claim forms, or waiting periods, making it a great option for those who want hassle-free coverage.
You can choose from a range of dental plans that cover the basics as well as more complex treatment, including preventive care, basic and major restorative care, and orthodontic treatments.
A full-coverage dental plan may cover all of these services, but the costs can vary widely.
For those who need minimal coverage, a DHMO plan may be the most affordable option, with lower premiums and copays.
What Plans Does It Offer?
Cigna offers a total of three dental plans. These plans can be tailored to suit different needs and budgets.
If you're looking for a more comprehensive plan, you can expect it to cover a wide range of dental care services. A full-coverage plan may include preventive care, such as regular check-ups and cleanings.
Preventive care is essential for maintaining good oral health. By covering this type of care, a full-coverage plan can help prevent more costly problems down the line.
A full-coverage plan may also cover basic restorative care, such as fillings. This can help repair teeth that have been damaged by decay or other issues.
In addition to basic restorative care, a full-coverage plan may also cover major restorative care, such as bridges and dentures. This can be a lifesaver for individuals who have lost teeth due to injury or disease.
If you're interested in orthodontic treatments, such as braces or Invisalign, a full-coverage plan may cover these as well. This can be a great option for individuals who need to correct alignment issues or other orthodontic problems.
Here are the types of care that a full-coverage plan may cover:
- Preventive care
- Basic restorative care (such as fillings)
- Major restorative care (such as bridges and dentures)
- Orthodontic treatments (such as braces or Invisalign)
Plans
Cigna offers a total of three dental plans. These plans cater to different needs and preferences, so you can choose the one that best fits your requirements.
The Cigna Dental Care (DHMO) plan is a great option for those who want comprehensive coverage without any waiting periods or annual dollar maximums. You can see any dentist while enrolled in the 1500 dental plan, although you'll pay less when seeing a Cigna DPPO Network Advantage dentist.
One of the most affordable types of dental plans is the Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO). These plans tend to have lower premiums and copays, but you'll have a smaller network of dentists to choose from.
The Cigna Dental 1500 plan is a DPPO plan that offers the most coverage for check-ups, cavities, gum disease, and major dental work. There's a six-month waiting period for restorative care, but Cigna will waive it if you had a qualified dental insurance plan in place for at least 12 consecutive months before joining Cigna.
You can find a wide range of dental insurance plans that cover the basics as well as more complex dental treatment. A full-coverage dental plan may cover preventive care, basic restorative care, major restorative care, and orthodontic treatments.
Here are the three Cigna dental plans:
- Cigna Dental Care (DHMO)
- Cigna Dental 1500 (DPPO)
- Other dental plans with varying coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cigna dental a good dental insurance?
Cigna dental insurance is a good option for those seeking affordable preventive care with minimal out-of-pocket costs. It's particularly suitable for those who want to avoid high deductibles.
Does Cigna dental have a deductible?
Yes, Cigna Dental 3000/100 has a $100 individual annual deductible that applies to all dental services. This deductible must be met before coverage kicks in for preventive, basic, and major dental restorative procedures.
Sources
- https://www.cigna.com/knowledge-center/how-does-dental-insurance-work
- https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/shop-plans/dental-insurance-plans/cigna-dental-1500
- https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/shop-plans/plans-through-employer/dhmo
- https://ihsinsurance.net/what-we-offer/dental-and-vision-plans/cigna-dental-insurance/
- https://www.cigna.com/knowledge-center/dental-insurance-cost
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