You’ll always save the most money when you choose a dentist that is in-network. But, if you must use an out-of-network dentist, Cigna now offers a Dental Network Savings Program. Within this program, dentists who are not part of the network have agreed to offer discounts to Cigna customers. Below is an example of how your choice of dentist can affect your bottom line.
A Tale of Three Crowns: An Example Savings Comparison
Joe, Ben and Sue are co-workers with the same Cigna Dental PPO plan. Each needs a porcelain crown.
In-Network
Joe visits a network dentist for the procedure. That network dentist has agreed to charge Cigna customers a discounted fee for crowns: $650.
Since Joe’s plan will pay $325, his cost is $325.
Out-of-Network with DNSP
Ben visits a dentist who participates in the Dental Network Savings Program (DNSP). The DNSP dentist has agreed to charge a discounted fee that is usually somewhere between the in-network dentist rate and the typical Maximum Reimbursable Charge (MRC).
Ben’s dentist charges $800 for the crown. Ben’s plan will pay 50% or $400, so his cost is $400.
Out-of-Network
Sue chooses a dentist that is not in Cigna’s network or in the DNSP, so her dentist hasn’t agreed to discount the usual fees and charges $1,000 for a crown.
The maximum reimbursable charge (MRC) for this procedure is $950 and Sue’s plan will pay 50% of the MRC or $475. Sue is responsible for the difference between what her play pays and her dentist’s usual $1,000 fee. Sue’s cost is $525.
Find out if your current dentist is in-network, out-of-network or part of the Dental Network Savings Program through Cigna’s provider directory.