Cigna Focuses on Customer Access to Care in New Dental HMO Product Suite Expansion

Cigna Focuses on Customer Access to Care in NewDental HMO Product Suite Expansion

• Cigna becomes one of the first national carriers offering plans with fixed co-pays for surgical implants and TMJ treatment and therapy

• New Dental HMO (DHMO) options will feature coverage for 26 additional procedures including Cone Beam CT imaging, sinus augmentation, and bone grafting

• Cigna's focus on preventive dentistry has resulted in additional preventive procedures available to DHMO customers

BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Technology advances in dentistry and changing consumer preferences are leading to an expansion of Cigna's Dental HMO (DHMO) product suite providing Cigna customers even greater access to coverage for the latest dental care options. With new plans being introduced for 2014, Cigna (NYS: CI) becomes one of the first national carriers to offer plans with fixed co-payments for surgical placement of dental implants and related procedures.

The new plans also offer employers the option of coverage for same-day, in-office dental restorations using new digital impression and computer-aided design and manufacturing processes now being utilized by an increasing number of dental offices.

"Dental care has taken many technological leaps in the past few years, helping to improve the patient experience and long-term oral health," said Fred Scardellette, vice president of Cigna's dental business. "Having coverage for same-day, in-office crowns, veneers and post and core procedures will save customers time by avoiding an additional trip to the dentist."

Backed by the nation's largest DHMO network, the new plans also offer coverage for advanced cone-beam CT imaging for diagnostic procedures related to surgical placement of implants and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMJ or TMD). The plans will broaden access to even more preventive services as well. Among the coverage for many other new procedures added, Cigna continues to focus on preventive care, offering coverage for athletic guards, up to four periodontal maintenance appointments per year, and additional topical application of fluoride or fluoride varnish treatments at a minimal copay.

When it comes to dental benefits, Cigna believes that good oral health contributes to better overall health. According to a recent Cigna study, proper preventive dental care leads to 12.5 percent fewer extractions and 5.4 percent fewer root canals. It may also lead to healthier overall outcomes and individual savings for people with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke.¹

"Good oral health means more than just healthy teeth and gums. Cigna has been playing a leading role in performing and publishing research about the impact of oral health on a person's overall health," said Dr. Michael Hahn, national dental director for Cigna. "If we can help customers achieve and maintain good oral health, we may also be able to help prevent or alleviate other health conditions."

For dental customers with certain chronic conditions, the Cigna Dental Oral Health Integration Program® will still provide 100 percent reimbursement of a customer's out-of-pocket costs on certain dental procedures.

About Cigna

Cigna Corporation (NYS: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has approximately 80 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.

¹ "Does Treatment of Oral Disease Reduce the Costs of Medical Care?", Medscape. Oct 19, 2011, presented at the March 2013 International Association for Dental Research Meeting

Cigna Corporation
Jim Angstadt, 215-761-8748
Jim.Angstadt@cigna.com
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