Dental health is an important aspect of your overall well-being. However, dental care can be expensive, especially if you need complex or extensive procedures. That’s why dental insurance can be a smart investment, as it can help you cover the costs of preventive, basic, and major dental services. But how do you choose the best dental insurance comparison plan for you? There are many factors to consider, such as the type of coverage, the network of dentists, and the cost of the plan. Moreover, there are different types of dental insurance plans available, such as PPO, HMO, indemnity, and discount plans, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
In this article, we will help you compare different dental insurance plans and find the best one for your needs and budget. We will provide you with some general tips on dental insurance comparison, as well as a list of some of the best dental insurance plans of 2023. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of dental insurance comparison and how to choose the best plan for you.
Dental Insurance Comparison
Before you start comparing dental insurance plans, you need to know what kind of dental services you need or expect to need in the future. For example, do you need regular checkups and cleanings, or do you need more complex procedures like root canals or implants? Do you have any pre-existing conditions or special needs that require more frequent or specialized care?
Once you have an idea of your dental needs, you can start comparing different dental insurance plans based on the following criteria:
Annual maximum benefit:
This is the total amount that the plan will pay for dental services in a year. The higher the annual maximum benefit, the more coverage you will have. However, higher annual maximum benefits also tend to come with higher premiums. You should look for a plan that offers a reasonable balance between coverage and cost.
Coinsurance, copayment, and deductible:
These are the portions of the cost that you have to pay out of pocket when you receive dental services. Coinsurance is a percentage of the cost that you pay after meeting your deductible. Copayment is a fixed amount that you pay per visit or service. Deductible is the amount that you have to pay before your plan starts paying. You should look for a plan that has low coinsurance, copayment, and deductible amounts, as they will reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Waiting periods:
These are the lengths of time that you have to wait before receiving coverage for certain procedures. Some plans may have waiting periods for basic or major services, such as fillings, crowns, or bridges. Waiting periods can range from a few months to a year or more. You should look for a plan that has no or short waiting periods, especially if you need immediate or urgent care.
Exclusions and limitations:
These are the services that are not covered or have reduced coverage by the plan. Some common exclusions and limitations include cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, implants, dentures, and oral surgery. You should look for a plan that covers most or all of the services that you need or want.
Network of dentists:
This is the group of dentists that participate in the plan and accept its terms and conditions. The size and accessibility of the network can affect your choice of dentist and your quality of care. You should look for a plan that has a large and diverse network of dentists in your area, as well as nationwide or international coverage if you travel frequently.
Customer service and reputation:
This is the quality and satisfaction of the service that you receive from the plan provider. You should look for a plan that has a good reputation in terms of customer reviews, ratings, complaints, and awards. You should also look for a plan that has easy and convenient ways to contact customer service, such as phone, email, chat, or online portal.
Best Dental Insurance Plans of 2023
Based on our research and analysis, we have selected some of the best dental insurance plans available in 2023. We have considered various factors such as coverage, cost, network, and customer reviews. Here are our top picks:
Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier
- Type: PPO
- Name: PPO Plus Premier
- Annual maximum benefit: $1,500
- Coinsurance: 0% for preventive services; 20% for basic services; 50% for major services
- Copayment: None
- Deductible: $50 per person; $150 per family
- Waiting periods: None for preventive and basic services; 12 months for major services
- Exclusions and limitations: Cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, implants, dentures, and oral surgery are not covered
- Network of dentists: Over 150,000 dentists nationwide; over 342,000 dentists worldwide
- Monthly premium: $35.99 for an individual; $71.99 for a family
- Annual cost: $431.88 for an individual; $863.88 for a family
- Pros: High coverage for preventive and basic services; large and diverse network of dentists; no copayment; no waiting periods for preventive and basic services
- Cons: Low coverage for major services; high deductible; long waiting period for major services; exclusions and limitations for some services
Humana Dental Loyalty Plus
- Type: Indemnity
- Name: Dental Loyalty Plus
- Annual maximum benefit: $1,000 in the first year; $1,250 in the second year; $1,500 in the third year and beyond
- Coinsurance: 0% for preventive services; 20% for basic services; 50% for major services
- Copayment: None
- Deductible: $150 per person; waived for preventive services
- Waiting periods: None
- Exclusions and limitations: Cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, implants, dentures, and oral surgery are not covered
- Network of dentists: Any dentist of your choice
- Monthly premium: $25.99 for an individual; $51.99 for a family
- Annual cost: $311.88 for an individual; $623.88 for a family
- Pros: Increasing annual maximum benefit over time; no waiting periods; no network restrictions; deductible waived for preventive services
- Cons: Low annual maximum benefit in the first year; low coverage for major services; high deductible; exclusions and limitations for some services
Cigna Dental Savings Plan
- Type: Discount plan
- Name: Dental Savings Plan
- Annual maximum benefit: None
- Coinsurance: None
- Copayment: Varies depending on the service and the dentist; discounts range from 15% to 50%
- Deductible: None
- Waiting periods: None
- Exclusions and limitations: None
- Network of dentists: Over 93,000 dentists nationwide
- Monthly premium: $8.95 for an individual; $12.95 for a family
- Annual cost: $107.40 for an individual; $155.40 for a family
- Pros: No annual maximum benefit; no coinsurance; no deductible; no waiting periods; no exclusions and limitations; low monthly premium; high discounts on dental services
- Cons: No coverage for dental services; copayment required at the time of service; network restrictions; discounts may vary depending on the service and the dentist
How to Choose the Best Dental Insurance Plan for You
Now that you have learned how to compare different dental insurance plans and some of the best dental insurance plans of 2023, how do you choose the best one for you? The answer depends on your personal preferences, needs, and budget. Here are some questions that you can ask yourself to help you narrow down your options and make a decision:
What are your dental needs and goals?
Think about what kind of dental services you need or want, such as preventive, basic, or major services. Also, think about your dental health goals, such as improving your smile, preventing cavities, or treating gum disease. Your dental needs and goals will determine the level and type of coverage that you need.
How much can you afford to pay?
Think about how much you can afford to pay for dental insurance and dental care. Consider your income, expenses, and savings. Your budget will determine the monthly premium, annual maximum benefit, coinsurance, copayment, and deductible that you can afford.
How flexible do you want to be?
Think about how flexible you want to be in terms of choosing your dentist and scheduling your appointments. Consider your location, travel plans, and availability. Your flexibility will determine the network of dentists that you prefer and the waiting periods that you can tolerate.
Once you have answered these questions, you can compare the dental insurance plans that match your criteria and choose the one that offers the best value for your money. You can also use online tools or consult with an agent to help you find and compare dental insurance plans.
Conclusion
Dental insurance comparison is an important step in finding the best dental insurance plan for you. By comparing different dental insurance plans based on various factors such as coverage, cost, network, and customer service, you can find the one that suits your needs and budget. You can also use our list of some of the best dental insurance plans of 2023 as a reference or a starting point.
We hope that this article has helped you learn more about dental insurance comparison and how to choose the best plan for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you.
Thank you for reading and happy comparing