GuideStone offers expanded dental coverage through CIGNA Dental

October 13, 2005

DALLAS – GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention will offer a choice of three dental plans through CIGNA Dental beginning Jan. 1, 2006.

“We evaluated proposals from a number of dental carriers based on benefits, rates, provider networks, claims processing capabilities and customer service,” said Douglas D. Day, executive officer of Benefit Services for GuideStone. “We chose CIGNA Dental primarily for their competitive rates and expanded dental PPO and HMO provider networks. Our estimates suggest that the change to CIGNA should result in significant savings that will help us to control plan costs in the upcoming years.”

“With CIGNA as our dental plan provider, we’re able to offer access to expanded networks and greater service to our participants,” Day continued. “CIGNA’s broad provider networks give more of our participants the opportunity to take advantage of the negotiated discounts available through participating dentists and specialists.”

Southern Baptist ministers, denominational employees and seminary students are eligible to participate in the dental plans made available through GuideStone. Dental plans for 2006 will include two PPO plans available in all states and a dental HMO plan available in 35 states.

“We’re pleased to be able to expand our dental HMO offering from our current 12 states to 35 states for 2006,” Day said. “With family coverage at around $35 a month, almost anyone in a dental HMO service area can take advantage of the savings available through this plan.”

In addition to coverage for dental care services, GuideStone participants who enroll in a dental plan gain access to discounts on a wide range of health and wellness products and programs through CIGNA’s Healthy Rewards^®. This program is available at no additional charge and includes discounts for Weight Watchers^®, massage therapy, acupuncture, contacts, glasses and frames, fitness club memberships and more.

Dental plan participants also have access to myCIGNA.com, an interactive Web site that offers individuals ready access to account information, claims status, provider networks and other useful account maintenance tools. Dental health tips, a glossary of dental terminology and dental health news and information is also available.

A list of PPO or HMO dentists participating in the CIGNA Dental network can be found at www.cigna.com or by calling CIGNA at 1-800-244-6224. Individuals who are currently enrolled in a dental plan through GuideStone will receive rate and benefit information about the new dental plans in the mail in October. Southern Baptist ministers, denominational employees and seminary students who would like information about enrolling in one of the dental plans made available through GuideStone can get rates and a summary of benefits by visiting our Web site or by calling 1-888-98-GUIDE (1-888-984-8433).