New CIGNA Dental HMO Stresses Prevention, Prevention, Prevention

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DENTAL NEWS: CIGNA has just introduced several new dental HMO plans which place more emphasis on prevention by covering more preventive dental care services. These new plans cover up to four routine cleanings a year (instead of just two cleanings) when recommended by a dentist. Also, under these new plans children are covered for two fluoride treatments a year to help prevent tooth decay as well as doing away with the requirement that claims be done at least six months apart so as to make it easier for people to schedule their preventive dental care. In addition, the new plans cover teeth whitening - the kind of gel bleaching with take-home trays that many dentists offer.

At a time when the affordability of coverage is a concern for both employees and employers, the new plans are offered with a range of benefit and copay options. "CIGNA's new dental HMO plans have more options available than many other carriers, including standard plans, plans with and without orthodontia coverage, specialty dental care discount, and split copay plans where copays are lower for using a general dentist and higher for dental specialty care," said Bebe Shuler-Mure, assistant vice president of product for CIGNA's dental products.

DENTAL VIEWS: These new plans are definitely a step in the right direction, especially when they come from one major providers of dental benefits in the United States. However, the problem is still that those people that need preventative dental care the most -children of poor and working class households- come from families that cannot afford dental insurance coverage and quality dental clinics are usually so backed up that could take weeks just to get an appointment to get your kids teeth cleaned.