Cigna Dental Insurance Plans for Seniors
|
October 29, 2024
|
Many older adults are shocked to find that Medicare does not cover dental. Because of this, it’s essential to either enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with dental or, alternatively, find a separate dental policy.
With more than 225 years of experience in providing overall health insurance, and 56 years of experience providing dental insurance, Cigna’s goal is to improve the health and wellbeing of its customers by providing simple, affordable, and predictable healthcare. While Cigna doesn’t offer dental plans designed specifically for older adults, seniors can purchase the same individual plans as any other adult and join the 15 million U.S. consumers who have Cigna dental insurance.
So, is Cigna the best bang for your buck when it comes to dental insurance for seniors? Keep reading to learn more about the different coverage costs provided by this established insurance company.
Our Top-Rated Dental Plans
If Cigna is not available in your region, then we recommend one of the following providers, all of which offer dental plans for seniors at affordable prices.
Why Do I Need Dental Insurance?
I talk to my clients a lot about the risk of falling because it’s incredibly common among the older population. In addition to falling, however, there is a high percentage of older adults who have gum disease, with nearly one in five people 65 and older having lost all of their teeth. According to the Center for Disease Control, the majority of older adults who suffer from oral health problems are minorities, those with lower-incomes, or those who don’t have dental insurance.
There are many oral health issues that plague older adults. Some of those health problems include tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, oral cancer, and dry mouth, which can be caused by medications. Scheduling regular dentist appointments is one way to avoid some of these oral health problems.
Here are some other dental tips for seniors:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
- Clean between your teeth with an interdental cleaner such as floss.
- Replace your toothbrush at least every three to four months. If the bristles fray sooner, it’s important to replace it before the three to four-month mark because a worn toothbrush won’t clean your teeth well.
- Don’t smoke or chew tobacco, as this increases your risk of gum disease.
- Watch your diet, limit snacking, and make sure to eat a balanced diet.
Routine dental visits are expensive, costing an average of $90 to $120 per visit. This price increases if you need more in-depth services such as x-rays, a full mouth exam, or impressions. Because of the costs, older adults tend to skip routine visits, which could be detrimental to oral health. In fact, studies show that almost half of adults say they forgo dental care because of the price, which is why dental insurance is something older adults should strongly consider.
Cigna Dental Coverage and Costs
It’s imperative to pick the proper plan for your needs, and Cigna provides some of the best affordable dental insurance. While the company doesn’t offer plans specific to older adults, the variety of options available to any policyholder makes it an insurance company seniors should take a look at.
The company’s three plans are Preferred Provider Organizations, also known as PPO plans. A PPO allows policyholders to choose a dentist from a large network of providers and is a popular plan option many insurance companies offer, including Aetna and Kaiser.
Cigna has more than 90,000 dentists in over 286,000 locations in its national network, meaning there are most likely provider options for older adults living anywhere in the United States. That being said, it is important to note PPO plans tend to have slightly higher premiums, but you get what you pay for as they provide the most flexible service options.
Each plan offers different benefits when it comes to preventative care, basic restorative care, major restorative care, and orthodontia care. Before I started looking into insurance benefits, I didn’t know which services fell into the different categories. Below is a breakdown of what’s included in preventative, restorative, and orthodontia services.
You Should Know: Cigna offers “Bright Score,” a tool that allows you to compare dental providers and rates dentists on their patient experience and affordability.
Preventative Care
- Oral exams
- Routine cleanings
- Routine x-rays
- Fluoride treatments
- Sealants
- Non-orthodontic space maintainers
Basic Restorative Care
- Fillings
- Non-routine x-rays
- Routine tooth extractions
- Emergency treatment
Major Restorative Care
- Periodontal deep cleaning
- Periodontal maintenance
- Crowns
- Root canal therapy
- Wisdom tooth extraction
- Dentures and partials
- Bridges
Orthodontic Care
- Space maintainers
- Braces
- Specialty dental care and treatments
Now that you have an idea of some of the service benefits, let’s take a look at Cigna’s three different coverage plans and the monthly cost of each plan.
Cigna Dental 1500
Cigna Dental 1500 is the insurance company’s highest level of dental coverage for planned and unplanned care. The plan costs $35 per month, per person and includes the following benefits:
Cigna Dental 1500 Plan
| Preventative Care | Basic Restorative Care | Major Restorative Care | Orthodontia | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-Network:$0; no deductible
Out of Network: You pay the difference between the provider’s standard fee and 100 percent of the Maximum Allowable Charge. |
In-Network: After deductible, you pay 20 percent of the provider’s contracted fee
Out of Network: After deductible, you pay the difference between the provider’s standard fee and 80 percent of the Maximum Allowable Charge |
In-Network: After deductible, you pay 50 percent of the provider’s contracted fee
Out of Network: After deductible, you pay the difference between the provider's standard fee and 50 percent of the Maximum Allowable Charge |
$1,000 per person individual lifetime maximum
In-Network: After separate lifetime deductible, you pay 50 percent of the provider’s contracted fee Out of Network: After separate lifetime deductible, you pay the difference between the provider’s standard fee and 50 percent of the Maximum Allowable Charge |
Individual: $50
Family: $150 |
With Cigna 1500, there is no waiting period for preventative services, a six-month waiting period for basic restorative services, and a 12-month waiting period for major restorative and orthodontia services.
Cigna Dental 1000
This is Cigna’s middle of the road plan. It provides the same quality provider network as the more expensive plan but has a lower premium. Cigna Dental 1000 is $30 per month, per person and provides:
Cigna Dental 1000 Plan
| Preventative Care | Basic Restorative Care | Major Restorative Care | Orthodontia | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-Network:$0; no deductible
Out of Network: You pay the difference between the provider’s standard fee and 100 percent of the Maximum Allowable Charge |
In Network: After deductible, you pay 20 percent of the provider’s contracted fee.
Out of Network: After deductible, you pay the difference between the provider’s standard fee and 80 percent of the Maximum Allowable Charge. |
In-Network: After deductible, you pay 50 percent of the provider’s contracted fee.
Out of Network: After deductible, you pay the difference between the provider's standard fee and 50 percent of the Maximum Allowable Charge. |
In-network discounts available, but not covered by this plan. | Individual: $50
Family: $150 |
Just like the more expensive plan, with Cigna 1000, there is no waiting period for preventative services, a six-month waiting period for basic restorative services, and a 12-month waiting for major restorative services. The main difference between this plan and Cigna 1500 is the orthodontia coverage.
Cigna Dental Preventative
Cigna Dental Preventative is Cigna’s least expensive coverage for those who just want to maintain dental health. This coverage starts at $19 per month, per person.
Cigna Dental Preventative
| Preventative Care | Basic Restorative Care | Major Restorative Care | Orthodontia | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-Network: $0; no deductible
Out of Network: You pay the difference between the provider’s standard fee and 100 percent of the Maximum Allowable Charge |
Not covered | Not covered | Not covered | Individual: None
Family: None |
Cigna’s preventive plan only covers preventative services, and there is no waiting period for this coverage. For seniors looking for basic coverage, this is an affordable option. But it’s important to remember this plan does not cover common oral needs for seniors such as tooth extractions or dentures.
Keep In Mind: Only Cigna plans that cover restorative procedures cover denture needs, which is a common need for older adults. That being said, those plans cap the amount of coverage provided, which isn’t always enough to cover full denture procedures.
Cigna Dental Savings
Dental savings plans are another option for older adults who don’t want to pay monthly dental insurance payments. The savings plan makes it easy for older adults to get the care they need at a discounted price. There are multiple savings plans, including one specific to seniors.
The dental savings plan for seniors’ costs $156 per year for individuals and $216 per year for families. Discounts on dental services average 31 percent and include a network of 92,000 dentists. Additional benefits to having the dental savings plan for seniors include savings on prescriptions, vision and hearing care, prescription costs, and diabetic care management, to name a few.
Money-Saving Tip: Seniors who don’t need all those extra benefits offered with the Dental Savings Plan for Seniors and are only looking for discounts on dental services should consider the Cigna Dental Savings. The Cigna Dental Savings plan is less expensive, costing $96 a year for an individual and $132 for a family.
Cigna Medicare Advantage Plans
Most Medicare plans do not cover dental services. However, Cigna does have Medicare Advantage plans that allow older adults to get their Medicare benefits as well as extra no-cost programs and services in one plan.
The all-in-one coverage combines Medicare plan A, which provides inpatient/hospital coverage, plan B, which provides outpatient medical coverage, and part D, which includes prescription drug coverage in one convenient plan. Some of the Medicare Advantage plans even include dental and vision coverage.
Other benefits of Medicare Advantage Plans are 24/7 telehealth care, a big bonus for older adults who could need help at off-hours. You also have the option to choose a PPO plan or HMO plans to meet your cost and coverage needs, team-based support, and low-or no-monthly premium.
How Do I Purchase Cigna Dental Insurance?
Purchasing dental insurance through Cigna is a process. Once you decide on the plan best for you, you have to request a quote online. In order to get a quote, you must fill out the information about all parties you wish to have insured with the policy. Once you get the quote, you have the option to buy the said plan.
Getting a dental savings plan is a little simpler, and you can purchase it online. All you have to do is pick the plan, add it to your cart online, and you’re good to go. Cigna also offers 24/7 customer support, which is a huge bonus for older adults who need assistance when it comes to purchasing a plan online.
The Verdict on Cigna
Cigna dental insurance is one of the best dental insurance providers for seniors. Not only does the company offer a large pool of in-network dentists, but it also offers affordably priced plans, simple claims management, and responsive customer service. While insurance does cost more than a discount savings plan, either is a good option for older adults. For those who have healthy mouths, gums, and teeth, the preventative insurance plan or discount card could be enough coverage, but for those who need more care, such as dentures or tooth extractions, a package with more coverage options is the way to go, and Cigna offers a variety that won’t break the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Does Medicare offer dental coverage?
Most Medicare plans don’t cover routine dental care and procedures like cleanings, fillings, crowns dentures, or tooth extractions. That being said, there are Cigna Medicare Advantage plans that allow you to get all your Medicare benefits and extra no-cost programs and services all in one plan.
-
Why do I need dental insurance?
You need dental insurance because dental procedures are expensive, and insurance can help seniors avoid having to pay those costs out of pocket. Additionally, oral health is essential for overall physical health, and seniors who don’t take care of their over oral health could be at risk for more serious health issues like gum disease, cancer of the mouth, or tooth loss, to name a few.
-
How do I find dental providers that take Cigna dental insurance?
To find a Cigna dental provider, visit the company’s website and click “find a doctor, dentist, or facility.” Once you specify how you are covered, you can enter a zip code to find dentists in your area. For those who prefer to speak with a person to find a dentist, you can call their customer service line, which is available 24/7.
-
Is it less expensive to pay for dental services out of pocket or to buy dental insurance?
For older adults who don’t have a lot of oral health issues, it is usually cheaper to pay for routine cleanings out of pocket. However, in the event of cavities, gum disease, or other major oral health issues, it’s more cost-effective to have insurance. It’s impossible to predict what health problems could arise, and without insurance, you risk having to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket in the event a dental emergency arises.
-
Does Cigna have a specific dental plan for seniors?
Cigna does not offer a specific dental plan for seniors. Instead, seniors have the option to purchase a plan available to all adults. That being said, Cigna does offer a specific discount savings plan for seniors.