What You Need to Know: The New Cigna–Ameritas Shared Agreement
Starting November 1, 2025, Ameritas members will gain in-network access to participating providers in the Cigna PPO Shared Administration Network. This new shared agreement between Cigna and Ameritas is something every dental practice needs to understand, because it may have a direct impact on your participation, reimbursements, and patient flow.
Understanding Cigna’s Shared Administration Network
Cigna operates what’s called a Shared Administration Network (SAN). Here’s the critical point:
👉 If you are in Cigna’s SAN, you are automatically included in all of Cigna’s shared arrangements with other carriers.
👉 If you want to opt out of even one of these shared arrangements, you must opt out of the entire SAN.
👉 Unfortunately, there is no option to pick and choose which shared networks you participate in—it’s all or none.
How This May Affect Your Practice
For practices, the implications depend largely on how you currently contract with Ameritas:
1. If you do not hold a direct Ameritas contract (or access Ameritas through a third-party network):
– Beginning November 1, 2025, Cigna will begin picking you up for Ameritas patients through the new share.
– You will appear as in-network to Ameritas members by virtue of your Cigna SAN participation.
2. If you currently participate with Ameritas through an umbrella (such as Connection, DenteMax, etc.):
– You may see a shift in how Ameritas claims are processed.
– Networks often “restack” contracts to optimize fee structures, meaning Ameritas may prioritize your Cigna arrangement over your umbrella network, depending on reimbursement levels.
This type of restacking can change which fee schedule is applied to your Ameritas patients—sometimes to your benefit, but sometimes not.
What We Know (and Don’t Know Yet)
👉 Ameritas has not yet posted any public announcement about this arrangement.
👉 Based on industry patterns, we have reason to speculate that this will become a two-way share, meaning Cigna members could also be funneled into Ameritas’ network—but this is not confirmed.
👉 PPO Advisors will publish an updated blog as soon as Ameritas makes a public statement or official confirmation.
What You Should Do Next
1. Review your current Ameritas and Cigna participation.
– Do you have a direct contract with Ameritas?
– Do you participate through an umbrella?
– Have you opted out of Cigna’s Shared Administration Network?
2. Decide if you want Ameritas picked up through Cigna.
– If yes, make sure you are in Cigna’s SAN.
– If no, you must opt out of Cigna’s SAN entirely—and understand this means you’ll lose access to all Cigna’s shared arrangements, not just Ameritas.
Final Thoughts
These network agreements can be confusing, but they have very real consequences for your practice’s bottom line. The key is awareness: knowing how you’re currently contracted, where your patients are coming from, and what fee schedules are being applied.
At PPO Advisors, we’ll continue to monitor updates and provide clarity as Ameritas makes official announcements. In the meantime, now is the time to audit your contracts and participation choices so you’re not caught off guard when this goes live November 1, 2025.
By Shelley DeGroff, Founder of PPO Advisors