January 2014
Cigna UK HealthCare Benefits (UKHB) is launching a new dental Healthy Discounts feature in January 2014.
Cigna has listened to the concerns consumers have over the affordability of treatment costs and has discovered that this puts many people off making regular dentist appointments. Cigna's recent research highlights that nearly a quarter of people do not visit the dentist regularly. Additionally, 40% quoted cost as the reason for poor attendance1. Cigna anticipates that affordable dental care will continue to be a key customer issue in future years.
The Healthy Discounts feature will be offered to new dental plan members with immediate effect. Cigna is spreading the news about Healthy Discounts to existing members in renewal communications throughout 2014.
This initiative reflects Cigna's ongoing commitment to finding new ways to tackle the problems people face paying their dental bills. It's a positive step towards encouraging regular dentist visits and preventative dental care. This promotes good oral health and helps dentists identify potential problems early.
About Healthy Discounts
The new Healthy Discounts feature offers 20% savings on all private treatment costs for members covered by any Cigna dental plan. So both plan members, and any family members with cover, can enjoy the savings. The 20% savings is available on treatments covered by the plans and on non-covered treatments such as teeth whitening.
Cigna has teamed up with Munroe Sutton the UK affiliate of Careington International Corporation, the premier U.S. marketer of dental, medical, health and lifestyle discount plans. Munroe Sutton currently maintains the reputable network of Healthy Discounts dentists in the UK. By working closely with Munroe Sutton, Cigna is now able to bring these savings to its dental plan members.
Savings are available to members who use any of the 488 Healthy Discounts dentists at 265 locations around the UK. There's complete flexibility as members can use their plan at their usual dentist or at a Healthy Discounts dentist.
Kirsty Jagielko, Cigna UKHB's Head of Product Management explains, "At Cigna UK, we're focused on putting the customer first. Our recent research highlighted that employers are also taking notice of the affordability issue. Almost a quarter of large employers acknowledge that their employees struggle to afford dental treatment costs2. Our Healthy Discounts feature offers an ideal way of helping employers promote a healthy workforce now and in the future."
1Cigna & YouvGov, Dentists & Dental Care, July 2013, 2065 responses
2Cigna & YouGov, Employer needs research, July 2013, 556 responses
* Only if using a Healthy Discounts dentist. 20% discount applicable on published private fees charged by Healthy Discounts dentists.
For more information please contact, Cigna's Marketing Communications Manager, nicola.thomson@cigna.com.