Paying for your child’s dental care can be easier when you understand how to get the most from your insurance. If your family has Cigna dental insurance, knowing what your plan covers, staying on top of preventive care, and understanding your costs can help you make better use of your benefits. Here are a few ways to learn how to maximize Cigna dental insurance to make the most of your child’s coverage.
1. Understand Your Cigna Dental Benefits
Before scheduling your child’s dental care, take some time to review your Cigna dental benefits. Your plan information should explain which services are covered, how much your plan may pay, and what portion of the cost you may be responsible for. Begin by asking yourself “How does Cigna Dental Insurance work?” and explore each part of your plan.
Pay particular attention to coverage for preventive care, fillings, crowns, extractions, and other services your child may need. You should also look for any waiting periods, age restrictions, or limits on how often certain services are covered.
You can review your coverage and plan documents through your myCigna account. If you’re unsure about a benefit, you can visit Cigna’s website or call Cigna directly with questions about your plan.
2. Choose a Cigna In-Network Kid Dentist
One way to potentially reduce your out-of-pocket dental costs is to choose a Cigna in-network kid dentist. In-network dentists have agreed to contracted rates for covered services, which can result in lower costs compared with receiving the same care outside your plan’s network.
However, a dentist accepting Cigna does not necessarily mean they participate in every Cigna network or plan. Before your child’s appointment, verify that the pediatric dentist is in network with your specific plan.
3. Take Advantage of Preventive Dental Care
Don’t wait until your child has a toothache to use their dental benefits. Preventive visits allow your child’s dentist to monitor their teeth and help prevent cavities and other oral health concerns. Depending on your Cigna plan, preventive dental benefits may include services such as routine exams, cleanings, and X-rays. Many Cigna plans cover eligible preventive services at 100%, while the exact coverage and requirements vary by plan.
Check your benefits to see which preventive services are included and how often your child can receive them. For example, cleanings are often covered twice a year, so don’t skip them if they’re included in your plan. Keeping up with eligible preventive care can help you use the benefits you already have while protecting your child’s smile.
4. Know All the Benefits Available to Your Child
You may have dental benefits available to your child that you aren’t using simply because you don’t know about them. Take a closer look at your Cigna plan to see every service your child is eligible to receive and how often they can use it.
Depending on your specific plan, benefits you may want to look for include:
- Two dental cleanings per year
- Routine dental exams
- Fluoride treatments
- Dental sealants
- Routine or diagnostic X-rays
- Orthodontic consultations or evaluations
- Emergency dental exams
- Coverage toward fillings and other restorative treatments
- Orthodontic benefits for braces or other treatment
Don’t assume that because your child hasn’t needed a particular service, it isn’t included in your plan. Review your benefits or contact Cigna and ask for a complete breakdown of the pediatric dental services available to your child. You may discover benefits you’ve been paying for but haven’t been using.
5. Know Your Cigna Dental Deductible
A Cigna dental deductible is the amount you may have to pay toward covered dental services before your insurance begins paying its portion. For example, if your plan has a $500 deductible, you may need to pay $500 toward eligible services before your plan begins covering the cost.
Keep in mind that your deductible is not the same as a copay. A copay is a set amount you may pay for certain dental services or visits, depending on your plan. Even after you meet your deductible, you may still be responsible for copays or a portion of the cost of treatment.
Not every Cigna dental plan has a deductible, and some plans waive the deductible for certain preventive services. Check your specific plan to find out whether you have a deductible, how much it is, and which services it applies to. Knowing this amount before treatment can give you a better idea of what you may need to pay out of pocket.
6. Keep Track of Your Annual Maximum
Your annual maximum is the most your dental insurance will pay toward covered services during a benefit year. Once you reach that limit, you may be responsible for the cost of additional treatment until your benefits reset. If your Cigna plan has an annual maximum, keep track of how much has already been used and how much remains. This can be especially helpful if your child needs multiple dental procedures.
Also check when your plan year begins and ends. Knowing when your benefits reset can help you plan dental procedures and make the most of your remaining coverage for the year.
7. Check Coverage Before More Expensive Dental Treatment
If your child needs more extensive dental work, such as a pulpotomy, crown, or other restorative procedure, check your coverage before treatment. Your pediatric dental office can provide an estimate of your expected costs based on the insurance information available to them, but it’s also a good idea to contact Cigna directly to confirm your benefits.
For more extensive treatment, a dentist may also submit a predetermination to Cigna. This allows Cigna to review the proposed treatment and provide information about which costs may be covered before the procedure is completed. Keep in mind that an estimate or predetermination is not a guarantee of payment. Final coverage depends on your specific plan, eligibility, and the services your child ultimately receives.
8. Find a Cigna In-Network Kid Dentist in Newtown Square, PA
Finding the right pediatric dentist is another important part of making the most of your child’s dental benefits. If your family has Cigna dental insurance, choosing a Cigna in-network kid dentist will help you save on covered dental care while ensuring your child receives the treatment they need.
Mighty Bites Pediatric Dentistry provides dental care for children in Newtown Square, PA, and surrounding communities. If you have Cigna dental insurance, contact our office to verify your benefits and learn more about your estimated costs before your child’s appointment.
FAQs About How to Maximize Cigna Dental Insurance
Do Cigna dental benefits roll over to the next year?
It depends on your specific Cigna dental plan. Some plans may allow a portion of unused benefits to carry over, while others reset at the end of the benefit year. Check your plan details to see what happens to any benefits you don’t use.
Does Cigna dental insurance have a waiting period?
Some Cigna dental plans may have waiting periods before certain services are covered, particularly more extensive dental treatments. Other plans may not have waiting periods at all.
Can my child have Cigna dental insurance and another dental insurance plan?
Yes, a child can sometimes be covered by more than one dental insurance plan. When this happens, coordination of benefits determines which plan pays first and how the second plan may contribute toward the remaining covered costs. Having two plans does not necessarily mean that 100% of your child’s dental expenses will be covered.
Does Cigna dental insurance cover emergency dental care for kids?
Maybe. Coverage depends on your specific plan and the treatment your child needs. If your child has a dental emergency, contact your pediatric dentist for care and check your plan for details about your emergency dental benefits.
Does Cigna dental insurance cover dental crowns for kids?
Cigna dental insurance may cover a portion of the cost of a dental crown when it is considered necessary to restore or protect your child’s tooth. Coverage can vary based on your plan, the type of crown, and other requirements, so it’s important to verify your child’s benefits before treatment.
Does Cigna dental insurance cover orthodontics for children?
Some Cigna dental plans include orthodontic benefits for children, while others do not. Plans that include orthodontic coverage may also have age limits, lifetime maximums, or other requirements.
