BASIC PLAN - ONLY...Open Enrollment EXTENDED Until October 31, 2025
If you are on the Basic dental plan with the State of Connecticut you might have recently received a letter from the Office of the State Comptroller. Your Cigna dental coverage has been updated - in-network benefits have been enhanced to help you save more, but out-of-network costs may now be higher. Because these changes were not made clear enough to Basic plan participants by Cigna prior to the close of open enrollment, we requested and the Comptroller has now determined that Basic plan participants Members have until October 31, 2025 to review options and make plan changes.
In addition, for those that have incurred surprise bills due to this change, Cigna has agreed to reimburse those affected before proper notice was sent (those on the Basic plan that visited their out-of-network dentist during the months of July or August). Here are member choices going forward:
- If you use an out-of-network dentist and don’t plan to switch dentists, stay with the Basic Plan—it provides stronger out-of-network benefits, but you will have larger out-of-pocket costs than you may have previously had.
- If your dentist is in-network or you plan to move to an in-network dentist, Enhanced or DHMO plans will offer better benefits at lower costs, but only if your dentist participates in the network.
- Support Available
- Check if your dentist is in-network: Use the “Find a Dentist” tool or call 800-244-6224.
- Nominate your dentist: If they’re not in-network, you or your provider can ask Cigna to add them. Dentists requested by members are being prioritized.
- Cigna Customer Service: Get answers to your questions and help find in-network care nearby.
Why The Change?
Our plan benefits are always bid out through an RFP process. When United first won the RFP from what had previously been covered by Anthem, their network was substantially smaller than Anthem’s, and United was required to cover any balance due for out-of-network dentists who charged more than the “usual and customary rates” and were unwilling to reduce those charges, until United’s network size matched Anthem’s.
That requirement was continued when Cigna won the RFP from United. Cigna’s network size now exceeds Anthem’s, and therefore the requirement to cover that balance for out of network no longer applies. Cigna fully meets the Plan’s size of network requirements. This means that members who are seeing out of network dentists who charge more than the usual and customary rates may now be responsible for those excess charges, in addition to the usual cost share applicable to the particular dental procedure. Again, because those members did not get clear enough notice of the change during the most recent open enrollment, we have secured an additional open enrollment period so members can make an informed decision.
Don’t wait until it’s too late—review your dentist’s network status and your dental plan options before the October 31st deadline. Taking a few minutes now to confirm your provider and select the right plan will help you avoid surprise bills and ensure you’re getting the best value for your care.
To Change Plans During This Special Open Enrollment Period
- (Active employees) contact your HR benefits specialist at your agency to switch dental plans
- (Retirees) fill out the Form CO-774OE
Need Help?
- Use Cigna’s Find a Dentist tool to check if your dentist is in-network.
- Call Cigna Dental at 800-244-6224 with questions about coverage or providers.