Does Cigna Cover Dental Implants?

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Cigna Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans that include dental benefits may typically cover routine dental services such as exams, teeth cleanings, X-rays and fluoride treatments. Cigna plans may also cover restorative care like fillings, extractions, root canals and periodontal care like the insertion of dental implants. 

Learn more about Cigna Medicare Advantage dental coverage, including how and when some plans may cover dental implants.

When Do Cigna Medicare Plans Pay for Dental Implants?

Cigna Medicare Advantage plans are sold in many parts of the country, and many Cigna Medicare plans may include dental coverage as an added benefit. Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative way to receive Original Medicare benefits (Medicare Part A and Part B), and most Medicare Advantage plans also offer additional coverage for things that Original Medicare doesn't cover such as dental, vision, prescription drugs and more.

Not all Cigna Medicare Advantage plans that offer dental coverage may cover dental implants, so you should be sure to check with your plan carrier directly to make sure you know exactly what dental services are covered by your plan.

Some Cigna Medicare plans offer a Dental Allowance that beneficiaries can use to reimburse the costs for selected preventive and comprehensive dental services. Depending on the plan and whether an allowance is offered, the allowance for supplemental preventive and comprehensive dental services can be as high as $2,000 for the year, though some plans may offer more or less than this amount.

How Much Does Cigna Medicare Dental Care Cost?

For starters, you’ll have a monthly premium in order to belong to a Cigna Medicare Advantage plan. However, some Cigna Medicare Advantage plans may feature $0 monthly premiums.  

Depending on the type of Cigna Medicare Advantage plan you have, your plan may feature an annual deductible for dental care. This represents the amount of money you must pay out of pocket for covered services and items before the plan’s coverage takes hold. Once you’ve satisfied your deductible, you may then be responsible for a copayment (flat fee) or coinsurance (percentage of the bill) for covered dental services. 

As mentioned above, some plans may instead feature an annual allowance for certain dental services. There may be an annual limit as to how many dollars worth of covered care the dental plan will cover over the course of a year. It’s important to keep in mind that the cost of a dental implant may be more than the annual benefit limit. There may also be a limit on the number or frequency of implants that will be covered by the plan. Depending on the cost of the implants and how much your plan will cover, you may have to pay some of the costs out of your own pocket.

When you need dental implants or any other dental care, you’ll want to be sure to visit a Cigna participating provider for the procedure. Having dental implants or nearly any other dental service performed by an out-of-network provider may result in less coverage or even no coverage at all. Depending on your plan, you may not have a network of preferred providers and may be able to visit any approved dentist.

When you first enroll in a Cigna plan with dental coverage, three may be a waiting period before certain benefits can be used. Preventive care is often covered right away, while more advanced care like dental implants may require a 6-month or 12-month waiting period before those benefits can be used. You should speak directly with your plan carrier to find out how your plan’s dental benefits may be used. 

Do Other Cigna Plans Cover Dental Care?

Cigna offers a number of insurance products in addition to Medicare Advantage plans, and some of these other insurance plans may cover dental implants.

Employer-based plans with dental coverage

Cigna is among the leading providers of employer-sponsored health insurance plans, and dental benefits are often an optional add-on to many of these health insurance plans.

Individual and family plans with dental coverage

Cigna also sells health insurance outside of the workplace, with plans available on the federal marketplace (sometimes referred to as Obamacare). 

Standalone dental plans 

Even if you don’t receive your health insurance through Cigna, you may still be able to enroll in one of the company’s standalone dental plans. These plans can include dental coverage similar to the dental coverage included in some Cigna employer or marketplace plans. 

Do Other Cigna Plans Cover Dental Care?

How to Enroll in a Cigna Medicare Plan That Covers Dental Implants

If you are eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan, you can contact a licensed insurance agent to get help reviewing the plan options available in your area. Depending on your circumstances, you may have to enroll when you first become eligible for Medicare or during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) that takes place each fall.

You can also compare Medicare Advantage plans online, including the dental benefits they cover. If you find a plan that fits your needs and you’re eligible to enroll, you may be able to sign up for a plan online.