Cigna and Delta Dental serve the same individual dental market but position themselves very differently. Delta Dental built its reputation on having the largest provider network in the country. Cigna competes on price and integrates dental with a broader health and pharmacy ecosystem. For individual buyers – especially self-employed workers and freelancers – the choice usually comes down to cost vs. network access.
Key Takeaways
- Cigna is typically 20-35% cheaper than Delta Dental for comparable individual PPO coverage – $19-$35/month vs Delta’s $30-$45/month.
- Delta Dental’s network is significantly larger: 155,000+ dentists vs Cigna’s ~92,000. In rural areas or smaller cities, this gap is more pronounced.
- Both use the 100/80/50 coverage structure with 12-month waiting periods on major services at the individual plan level.
- Cigna HMO plans require a primary care dentist and referrals for specialists – the trade-off for lower premiums.
- For self-employed workers, both plans are 100% tax-deductible on Schedule 1, Line 17 of Form 1040.
Price Comparison: Cigna vs Delta Dental
Cost is where Cigna consistently outperforms Delta Dental for individual buyers. Cigna Dental PPO individual plans start at approximately $19-$35/month depending on state and age. Delta Dental PPO individual plans run $30-$45/month for comparable coverage. On a 12-month basis, that’s a difference of $132-$240 per year before applying the Schedule 1 tax deduction.
The lower Cigna premium comes with a smaller network – a trade-off that’s acceptable in dense urban markets where Cigna has strong participation, but problematic in suburban or rural areas where provider access is thinner. Always check whether your dentist participates before choosing based on price alone.
Network Access: Where Delta Wins Clearly
Delta Dental participates with 155,000+ dentists across PPO and Premier tiers nationwide. Cigna’s dental network covers approximately 92,000 dentists – substantial, but 40% smaller than Delta’s. In New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and other major metros, Cigna’s network is deep enough that most established practices participate. In mid-size cities, suburbs, and rural areas, the gap becomes more visible.
Delta also maintains two participation tiers: PPO and Premier. Premier-tier dentists accept lower fee schedules, which directly reduces your out-of-pocket coinsurance even at the same 80% or 50% coverage percentage. Cigna uses a single PPO tier for most individual plans.
The practical check: before choosing either carrier, run your dentist’s name through each carrier’s provider directory. If your dentist participates in both, price decides. If only one, that decides everything.
HMO vs PPO: Cigna’s Cheaper But More Restricted Option
Cigna offers HMO dental plans at lower premiums than their PPO products – sometimes $15-$22/month for individual coverage. The catch: HMO plans require you to choose a primary care dentist from Cigna’s HMO network (separate from and smaller than the PPO network) and get referrals to see specialists. You can’t see an out-of-network dentist at all on most HMO plans.
Delta Dental offers HMO plans too (called DeltaCare USA in some states), but Delta’s individual market strength is in PPO products. For individual buyers, Delta PPO vs Cigna PPO is the relevant comparison for most situations. For a deeper look at the PPO vs HMO trade-offs, see the PPO vs HMO dental insurance guide.
Which Is Better for Self-Employed Workers and Freelancers?
The answer depends on your location and cash flow situation.
Choose Cigna if: you’re in a major metro area where its network is dense, your current dentist participates, and you’re watching monthly expenses closely. The $132-$240 annual saving is real money – in the 22% tax bracket after the Schedule 1 deduction, a $19/month Cigna plan costs roughly $14.82/month net. That’s the cheapest legitimate dental insurance available for individual buyers.
Choose Delta Dental if: you live outside a major city, travel frequently and need consistent coverage across states, or your dentist participates in Delta’s Premier tier (which reduces your coinsurance amount even before network size matters). Delta’s universal individual plan availability also means you won’t hit a wall if you move states mid-year.
For freelancers and 1099 workers navigating the self-employed insurance market, see the full dental insurance for freelancers and 1099 contractors guide. For a broader carrier comparison including Guardian, Ameritas, and Spirit Dental, see the best dental insurance for self-employed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cigna or Delta Dental better for individuals?
Cigna is better on price: individual PPO plans run $19-$35/month vs Delta’s $30-$45/month, saving $132-$240/year. Delta is better on network: 155,000+ dentists vs Cigna’s ~92,000, with stronger availability outside major metros. If your dentist participates in both, pick Cigna for the savings. If only Delta, the network access is worth the higher premium.
How much does Cigna dental insurance cost per month?
Cigna individual dental PPO plans cost approximately $19-$35/month depending on your state, age, and plan tier. HMO options start lower, around $15-$22/month, with more network restrictions. For self-employed workers, both are fully deductible on Schedule 1 of Form 1040. See the average dental insurance cost guide for state-level pricing.
Does Cigna dental cover the same procedures as Delta Dental?
Yes – both use the 100/80/50 coverage structure at the base individual plan tier: 100% preventive, 80% basic restorative, 50% major services after deductible. Both have 12-month waiting periods on major services. The difference isn’t what’s covered but how much providers are paid – Delta’s Premier tier fee schedule can reduce the base fee your coinsurance percentage applies to.
Can you get Delta Dental insurance on your own without an employer?
Yes. Delta Dental offers stand-alone individual dental plans in all 50 states through its network of independent member companies. You can purchase directly through Delta’s website or through a dental insurance comparison site. Coverage starts the first of the following month after enrollment. No employer, no group minimum, no open enrollment restriction. See how to buy dental insurance without an employer.
Bottom line: Cigna wins on price, Delta wins on network. Both cover the same services at the same percentages. The decision comes down to your location (is Cigna’s 92,000-dentist network enough where you live?) and your budget (is the $132-$240 annual saving worth a smaller provider pool?). Check your dentist’s participation in both before committing.
Compare both alongside Aetna, Guardian, and Spirit Dental in the best dental insurance plans hub.
