CIGNA Dental Oral Health Integration Program Coverage Changes
January 3, 2011 - To improve people's overall health through better oral health, the CIGNA Dental Oral Health Integration Program is now available to all CIGNA dental customers with qualifying medical conditions, regardless of enrollment in a CIGNA medical plan. Additional benefits include access to fluoride treatment and sealants, special discounts for prescription and non-prescription products and behavioral health information for conditions impacting oral health.
"Working with the
experts on CIGNA's Dental Clinical Advisory Panel, we created the program in
response to emerging evidence that demonstrates a connection between oral
health and other health conditions," said Dr. Miles Hall, chief dental
clinical director for CIGNA. "Now we have the opportunity to help even
more people understand that good oral health can have a positive impact on good
overall health, while also offering even more resources and tools to help
customers."
Research has linked gum disease to
complications with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, preterm birth,
pre-eclampsia and other health issues. Additionally, studies have shown that
patients with head and neck cancer radiation, organ transplants and
chronic kidney disease are frequently prone to dry mouth, which puts them
at a higher risk for cavities.
At the Dental Center of Huntington, Dr. Graber hopes this policy change will force
insurance carriers who currently do not provide comprehensive coverage to
follow CIGNA's lead. After all, prevention is more cost-effective than
treatment.