Dental and Vision Insurance
Dental Insurance
Eligible employees can choose from two dental options:
- Prepaid Plan
- Dental Preferred Provider Organization
The Prepaid Plan will be administered by Cigna and the DPPO will be administered by MetLife Dental.
The Prepaid Plan provides services at predetermined copay amounts from a limited network of participating dentists and specialists.
- You must select and use a Cigna network general dentist from the DHMO list for the state’s dental plan and let Cigna know of your choice.
- You must use your selected dentist to receive benefits.
- You may select a network pediatric dentist as the network general dentist for your dependent child under age 13. The pediatric dentist will be considered a “specialist” for plan benefits. At age 13, you must switch the child to a network general dentist or pay the full charge from the pediatric dentist.
- There may be some areas in the state where network general dentists are limited or not available. Before enrolling, carefully check the network for your location.
- With the DHMO, you may be able to cancel this coverage if you enroll and later there are no network general dentists within a 25-mile driving distance of your home address.
- You pay copays for dental treatments. Review the patient charge schedule under Publications and Dental HMO - Prepaid Provider at https://www.tn.gov/partnersforhealth/publications/publications.html before having procedures performed.
- Lab fees may apply for some procedures and are the responsibility of the member to pay.
- No deductibles to meet, no claims to file, no waiting periods, no annual dollar maximum.
- Preexisting conditions are covered.
- Referrals to specialists by network general dentists are required.
- Tele dentistry is available to members at a $0 copay with no frequency limit.
- You can search for participating dentists on Cigna's Plan Information - select the Cigna Dental Care HMO network.
- You can also contact Cigna directly to inquire about eligibility or request dental cards at 800.997.1617.
The Dental Preferred Provider Organization (DPPO) provides services with member coinsurance rates. Any dentist may be used to receive benefits, but member cost will be less if an in-network provider is used.
- Use any dentist but save money by choosing an in-network dentist. The MetLife DPPO plan will use MetLife’s PDP+ network.
- Discuss any estimated expenses with your dentist or specialist. Charges for dental procedures are subject to change. Members pay deductibles and coinsurance.
- Discuss any estimated expenses with your dentist or specialist. Your dentist and you may want to request a pre-treatment cost estimate.
2026 DPPO benefits changes:
- There are no waiting periods for any services
- In-network deductibles will change from $25 to $50 per individual and from $75 to $150 per family with the DPPO
- Two routine office exams and two problem-focused exams will be covered each calendar year
- The orthodontia plan benefit lifetime maximum will increase to $1,500.
- You can search for participating dentists on the metlife.com/StateOfTN website. Select the MetLife DPPO network.
- You can also contact MetLife Dental directly to inquire about eligibility or request dental cards at 855-700-8001.
Vision Insurance
Vision coverage is available to all state and higher education employees and dependents. You must pay 100 percent of the premium if you elect this coverage. Two options are available — a basic plan and an expanded plan. Both plans offer the same services, including:
- Annual routine eye exam
- Frames
- Eyeglass lenses
- Contact lenses
- Hearing services and products
In both plans, you pay copays or when the cost exceeds the allowed dollar amount, you pay the cost of materials and services. Discounts may be available for select materials.
Basic Plan: Pays for your eye exam after you pay a $10 copay and provides various allowances, or dollar amounts, paid by the plan for materials such as eyeglass frames and contact lenses. Frames are available once every two calendar years.
Expanded Plan: Annual eye exam with $0 copay. Includes greater allowances than the Basic Plan. Frames are available once every calendar year.
In both plans:
- You pay copays or the cost above the allowance (the dollar amount paid by the plan)
- Discounts may be available for select materials, such as an additional complete pair of glasses, non-prescription items, hearing aids and LASIK. Review eyemed.com/stateoftn for discounts and offers.
Vision Quick Links
Questions or Concerns?
For questions about Vision Insurance you can go to Partners for Health / EyeMed - State of Tennessee.
You can also call EyeMed at 855.779.5046:
- Monday through Friday 7 am — 10 pm CST
- Sunday 10 am — 7 pm CST