Cigna Dental Insurance Plans for Seniors
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May 10, 2025
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Many older adults are shocked that Medicare does not cover dental. Because of this, it’s essential to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental or, alternatively, find a separate dental policy.
Cigna has over 232 years of experience providing health insurance, and has offered dental coverage for more than 60. Although Cigna doesn’t offer specific dental insurance for older adults, that doesn’t mean they’re a poor choice for seniors. Adults of any age can purchase dental insurance from the provider. The question is, is Cigna worth the money for seniors, considering their plans are not tailored specifically to their age group?
We took a close look at the dental coverage options to see if they offer good value to older adults. Using our previous research and knowledge of the industry as a whole, we also compared Cigna’s plans with those of the best dental insurance providers for seniors. First, let’s take a look at the available options.
Cigna Dental Coverage and Costs
Cigna’s plan offerings include three PPO plans. A PPO allows policyholders to choose a dentist from a large network of providers. It’s a popular option we’ve seen from many insurance companies, including Aetna dental insurance and Kaiser dental insurance. We find that PPO plans tend to have slightly higher premiums than other plan options, but they are more flexible and typically have lower deductibles.
In addition to Cigna PPO plans, we think the Cigna Dental 3000/100 plan is also worth considering if you’re OK with paying a larger deductible to enjoy a higher maximum annual benefit. We also recommend taking a look at the bundle that combines dental and vision insurance (Cigna Dental Vision 1000) or those that also include hearing insurance.
FYI: Cigna’s prices tend to be higher than other dental insurance providers that we recommend for seniors, but this is mainly because Cigna’s plans are not specifically tailored to older adults. If you find Cigna’s pricing restrictive, take a look at our list of affordable dental insurance providers for seniors.
What Cigna Dental Insurance Covers
Each Cigna plan offers different benefits when it comes to preventative, basic restorative, major restorative, and orthodontia care. Here is a breakdown of what’s included under each level of care.
Preventative Care (Class One)
- Oral exams
- Routine cleanings
- Routine x-rays
- Fluoride treatments
- Sealants
- Non-orthodontic space maintainers
Basic Restorative Care (Class Two)
- Fillings
- Non-routine x-rays
- Routine tooth extractions
- Emergency treatment
Major Restorative Care (Class Three)
- Periodontal deep cleaning
- Periodontal maintenance
- Crowns
- Root canal therapy
- Wisdom tooth extraction
- Dentures and partials
- Bridges
Orthodontic Care (Class Four)
- 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 types of plans: low deductible (PPO), high annual maximum, and bundled plans. We’ll also go over the discount card, in case you’d prefer that option over a dental insurance plan.
Cigna PPO Plans
PPO plans start at $20 a month and include low deductibles and up to $1,500 in benefits. They all include free checkups, which include X-rays and cleanings. You also can see any dentist, in or out of network, although we recommend staying in-network to save money.
Here’s a quick overview of how the three Cigna PPO Plans compare:
| Cigna PPO plans | Cigna Dental Preventive | Cigna Dental 1000 | Cigna Dental 1500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Types of care covered | Class 1 | Class 1 to 3 | Class 1 to 4 |
| Maximum annual benefit per person | None | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Annual deductible per person | $0 | $50 | $50 |
| Annual deductible per family | $0 | $150 | $150 |
| Monthly cost (estimate) | $20 | $46 | $52 |
Note that these cost estimates are all for a 65-year-old man living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Prices may differ based on your gender, age, and location.
Keep in mind that only Cigna plans that include restorative procedures cover dentures, 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 services.
Did You Know: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that only 65 percent of U.S. adults 65 and older had visited the dentist in the past year, according to the latest data from 2024. However, for people with dental insurance, this figure went up to 70 percent. It’s important to go to the dentist at least once a year, as poor oral health is associated with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease.
Cigna High Annual Maximum Plan
The Cigna Dental 3000/100 plan has a maximum annual benefit of $3,000 per person with a $100 deductible. It covers both preventative, basic, and major restorative care. Our price estimate was $57.77 per month, which is only slightly more expensive than the highest PPO plan. This plan doesn’t cover orthodontia, however.
Cigna Dental and Vision Plans
Let’s say you need hearing aids or glasses in addition to dental work. Original Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids, and similarly, Original Medicare doesn’t cover vision care like glasses. If you’d like to combine dental insurance with hearing insurance, vision insurance, or both, here are your options:
| Cigna bundled plans | Cigna Dental Vision 1000 | Cigna Dental Vision Hearing 2000 | Cigna Dental Vision Hearing 3500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Types of care covered | Class 1 to 3 + vision allowances | Class 1 to 3 + vision/hearing/dental allowances | Class 1 to 3 + dental implant services + vision/hearing allowances |
| Benefit maximum per person per year | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Annual deductible per person per year | $50 | $100 | $100 |
| Annual deductible per family per year | $150 | n/a | n/a |
| Monthly cost (estimate) | $38.88 | $61.13 | $79.31 |
Cigna isn’t the only dental insurance provider that offers bundles with vision insurance. You can add vision insurance to dental plans from Aetna, Humana, and Spirit Dental (with Spirit, vision care only costs $7 more per month.)
Did You Know: Age-related hearing loss is relatively common, affecting one-third of U.S. adults 65 to 74 years old, according to the National Institutes of Health. In the same vein, 20 percent of people over 85 have permanent vision loss, which makes vision and dental insurance especially important for seniors.
Cigna Dental Savings Plan
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 discounted prices. Here is exactly how much you can save, based on data from August 2023:
| Dental procedure | Typical fee | Discounted fee | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 periodic exams | $128 | $75 | $53 |
| 2 routine cleanings | $209 | $132 | $77 |
| 2 bitewing X-rays | $149 | $86 | $63 |
| 2 quadrants: root planing, periodontal scaling | $563 | $339 | $224 |
| 1 complete denture | $1,636 | $947 | $689 |
Note that fees depend on location and may change.
The cost of the card is either $96 for one person or $132 for a family, paid annually. With the program, you’ll have to go to a participating dentist. It does not include any waiting periods and it does not require any of your information or dental history, unlike traditional insurance.
Note: The discount program does not include claims, waiting periods, copays, or deductibles. Simply present your card at your dental office and pay a predetermined, lower fee.
Unfortunately, the discount card is not available in the following states:
- Alaska
- California
- Montana
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
Cigna Medicare Advantage Plans
Most Medicare plans do not cover dental services. However, Cigna has Medicare Advantage plans that allow older adults to get their Medicare benefits as well as extra no-cost programs and services in one plan. You can choose from seven plans that cover services and products like:
- Prescription drugs
- Over-the-counter drugs
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Hearing insurance
- Fitness programs
- Part B giveback
- Primary care
- Specialist care
There are no monthly premiums for any of the plans, as Medicare is free. However, you may have to pay a copay for a doctor’s visit.
How Do I Purchase Cigna Dental Insurance?
To purchase a Cigna dental insurance plan:
- Enter your ZIP code, state, and birth date here: cignadental.com/equotes.
- Choose what type of plan you are interested in, either dental only, dental plus orthodontia, or bundled plans, which include vision and/or hearing insurance. If you have selected dental/orthodontia only, choose whether you want lower deductibles or higher annual benefits. Click Submit.
- Review the plans and click Continue on the one you want. Or, you can call 855-952-1197 to continue the process over the phone.
- Select an effective date, i.e., when you would like your coverage to begin.
- Add any spouse, partner, or family members, if applicable, and click Continue.
- Fill out personal information such as your name, gender, Social Security number, etc. Click Next once you are done.
- Indicate whether you are replacing current dental insurance, then click Next.
- Select your payment method. You can pay via an Electronic Funds Transfer or a credit card payment. Agree to the Terms and Conditions and click Continue to Payment.
- Fill out your payment information and click Submit Payment.
To purchase a Cigna dental savings card:
- Call 1-800-240-2035.
- Or complete the process online at: cignadentalsavings.com/enroll.
- Choose your type of plan: Individual or Family. Click Add to Cart.
- Enter your ZIP code.
- Click Check Out.
- Enter your email, password, phone number, name, billing address, and credit card information. Click Place Order.
Cigna vs. Aetna Dental
So how does Cigna compare to Aetna dental insurance, another popular provider? While Cigna has six dental plans, Aetna only has three. That being said, Aetna’s deductibles are lower — a maximum of $50 compared to $250 with Cigna — but with the lower deductibles comes a higher cost. Aetna’s plans start at $43.98 a month, while Cigna’s start at $19. In fact, Cigna is one of the cheaper providers we’ve tried, after Delta Dental, which starts at $17.32 a month, and Spirit Dental, which starts at $18.30 a month. But what you don’t pay in premiums, you may pay in deductibles and coinsurance. So the premiums shouldn’t be the only factor affecting your choice of provider.
Bottom Line
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 they also offer 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 of plan options that won’t break the bank.
Methodology
When reviewing dental insurance providers, we consider the following factors:
- Cost: Dental insurance will cost around $50 or less, in some cases. We love companies that offer discounted bundles with vision and/or hearing insurance.
- Waiting periods: Ideally, no waiting periods are required, especially if you’ve had dental insurance in the past 12 months.
- National availability: We prefer companies that offer dental insurance in all or most states.
- Coverage: The plans must cover all types of care, from basic to orthodontia, with a variety of options at different price points.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I find dental providers that take Cigna dental insurance?
To find dental providers that take Cigna dental insurance:
- Visit the Cigna website: cigna.com/individuals-families/shop-plans/dental-insurance-plans/ .
- Click Find a Doctor.
- Choose how you are covered: either through your employer or school, a direct purchase, or through Healthcare.gov or Medicare.
- Enter your address, ZIP code, or city.
- Choose your dental plan.
- Click Doctors by Type and select the type of dentist you need.
- Click Search.
- Either log into your account or continue as a guest.
- View in-network dentists as a list and on the map. You can search by best match, distance, or alphabetical order, or narrow your search with filters such as “accepting new patients,” “gender,” or “board-certified.”
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Does Cigna have a specific dental plan for seniors?
No, Cigna does not offer a specific dental plan for seniors. Instead, seniors have the option to purchase a plan available to all adults.
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How much is Cigna dental insurance per month?
The cost of Cigna dental insurance depends on your age, gender, and location. However, for a 65-year-old man in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it ranges from about $20 to $58 a month. Plans that combine dental with hearing and/or vision insurance range from $39 to $79 a month.
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What is the waiting period for Cigna dental?
The waiting periods for Cigna dental depend on the plan, your state, and the type of service needed. However, for basic and major restorative care, you may be able to get the waiting period waived if you’ve had dental coverage in the past 12 months that included major restorative care. Additionally, not all plans include waiting periods: The Cigna Dental Preventive Plan in Pennsylvania does not have any. View your plan’s documents to find out the length of any waiting periods.