Skipping the Dentist? Not Anymore: Cigna Expands Access to Flexible Dental Payments, Driving Meaningful Increases in Preventive Care and Critical Procedures

Rhea-AI Summary

Cigna Healthcare (NYSE:CI) is expanding its flexible dental payment program in partnership with Paytient to 2.8 million additional members nationwide, extending access to mid-market employers with as few as 250 enrolled members.

The program has shown significant success, with 92.9% of members reporting they would have skipped care without the Paytient card. The solution received a strong Net Promoter Score of 83.4 and a 4.89 rating on Trustpilot. Notably, 44.7% of users came from communities with high or very high Social Determinants of Health risk, compared to 30.7% of their coworkers, demonstrating its impact on health equity.

The program allows members to access dental care when needed and pay over time, particularly beneficial for procedures exceeding the typical $1,500 annual dental benefit cap.

Positive

• Expansion to 2.8 million additional members nationwide
• 92.9% of members would have skipped care without the program
• Strong customer satisfaction with NPS of 83.4 and 4.89 Trustpilot rating
• Higher adoption (44.7%) in communities with high SDOH risk, improving health equity
• 65% of preventive care users also accessed major procedures, showing early intervention success

Negative

• High out-of-pocket costs still exist even with insurance coverage
• Standard dental benefit cap of $1,500 remains insufficient for major procedures

Program Now Expanding to 2.8 Million More Members Nationwide

COLUMBIA, Mo., Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A flexible payment solution from Paytient and Cigna Healthcare® is helping more people get the dental care they need—when they need it—by removing cost as a barrier. New data shows a measurable increase in both preventive care and critical dental procedures among users. Now, the program is expanding to Cigna's mid-market segment, making it available to 2.8 million additional members nationwide.

Initially rolled out to large-group clients like Hyatt, Advantage Solutions, and RR Donnelley, the program is now available to employers with as few as 250 enrolled members—making it easy for a wider range of companies to support employee health without adding cost, renegotiating dental benefits, or complicating plan design.

"Dental health is foundational to overall health, yet far too many people delay or skip treatment due to cost," said Manish Naik president of Cigna Healthcare's dental and vision businesses. "This program is about making sure more people get the care they need, when they need it—without financial strain."

Behavior Change Data Underscores the Need
Even with insurance, many members face high out-of-pocket costs for essential dental services. A single crown or root canal can exceed the typical $1,500 annual dental benefit cap, leading people to delay or forgo care altogether.

Survey results¹ from Cigna members show:

• 92.9% said they would have skipped care without access to the Paytient card.
• The solution was most frequently used for high-cost, high-need services like fillings, crowns, and oral surgery.
• 65% of members who received preventive care also needed major procedures, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and affordable access before issues escalate.

The program has also received strong satisfaction scores, with a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 83.4, up from 75.8 at launch, and a 4.89 rating on Trustpilot from nearly 400 reviews.

Improving Access Where It Matters Most
For many members, affordability is the difference between seeking care or staying in pain. Consider a member facing a $1,200 root canal. Their dental plan covers $600, and the provider requires the rest upfront. Without a flexible way to pay, they might cancel the appointment or resort to a high-interest credit card. With Paytient, they're able to move forward with treatment and pay over time—without added financial pressure.

That story is even more common in communities facing greater financial barriers. Analysis shows that:

• Members who used the Paytient card were significantly more likely to come from communities with high or very high Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) risk—44.7% compared to 30.7% of their coworkers.
• This indicates that flexible payment solutions can serve as a meaningful tool for improving health equity and expanding access to care for those who need it most.

"We created Paytient so people could say yes to care—without fear, without delay," said Brian Whorley, founder and CEO of Paytient. "This partnership with Cigna shows what's possible when we remove cost as a barrier to care—and the results speak for themselves."

About Paytient
7,000 employers and health plans are offering Paytient as a benefit to ensure nearly 23 million Americans can more easily pay for care. Paytient gives people the ability to more easily self-pay for care—improving access, ensuring affordability and creating plan savings for employers and insurers. 

About Cigna
Cigna Healthcare is a health benefits provider that advocates for better health through every stage of life. We guide our customers through the health care system, empowering them with the information and insight they need to make the best choices for improving their health and vitality. Products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI), including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Evernorth Health companies or their affiliates, and Express Scripts companies or their affiliates. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and others. Learn more at cignahealthcare.com.

Disclosure: Product availability may vary by location and plan type and is subject to change. All group dental insurance policies and dental benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For costs and details of coverage, contact a Cigna Healthcare representative. Cigna Healthcare products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT), Cigna HealthCare of Connecticut, Inc., and Cigna Dental Health, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Cigna Dental Health Plan of Arizona, Inc., Cigna Dental Health of California, Inc., Cigna Dental Health of Colorado, Inc., Cigna Dental Health of Delaware, Inc., Cigna Dental Health of Florida, Inc., a Prepaid Limited Health Services Organization licensed under Chapter 636, Florida Statutes, Cigna Dental Health of Kansas, Inc. (KS & NE), Cigna Dental Health of Kentucky, Inc. (KY & IL), Cigna Dental Health of Maryland, Inc., Cigna Dental Health of Missouri, Inc., Cigna Dental Health of New Jersey, Inc., Cigna Dental Health of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna Dental Health of Ohio, Inc., Cigna Dental Health of Pennsylvania, Inc., Cigna Dental Health of Texas, Inc., and Cigna Dental Health of Virginia, Inc. In Utah, all products and services are provided by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT). Review policy form requirements here, and contact your product partner for the correct policy form number(s).

¹ information based on unpublished internal Cigna Data Analytics/Claims reporting from 2025.

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SOURCE Paytient

FAQ

How many new members will have access to Cigna's flexible dental payment program in 2025?

2.8 million additional members will gain access to the program as Cigna expands it to mid-market employers with as few as 250 enrolled members.

What percentage of Cigna members would have skipped dental care without the Paytient card?

92.9% of members reported they would have skipped dental care without access to the Paytient card.

What is the customer satisfaction rating for Cigna's Paytient dental program?

The program has received a Net Promoter Score of 83.4 and maintains a 4.89 rating on Trustpilot from nearly 400 reviews.

How does Cigna's dental payment program impact health equity?

44.7% of users came from communities with high or very high Social Determinants of Health risk, compared to 30.7% of their coworkers, indicating improved access to care in underserved communities.

What is the typical annual dental benefit cap for Cigna members?

The typical annual dental benefit cap is $1,500, which can be exceeded by a single crown or root canal procedure.