Types Of Dental Insurance Plans
The three types of dental plans on the market today are dental preferred provider organization plans, dental health maintenance organization plans and fee-for-service plans:
Dental preferred provider organization
DPPO plans have a wider network of dentists, and patients have more flexibility when choosing their doctors. You can see providers both in-network and out of network, but youll find the best rates within the dental provider network.
This flexibility comes with a higher price tag premiums for DPPO plans are more expensive and have higher out-of-pocket costs.
Dental health maintenance organization
A DHMO plan works within a dental provider network. Theres a fixed copayment for each visit, premiums are more affordable and there are no annual maximum limits.
Members of a DHMO plan have a smaller provider network to choose from, and theyll also need to select a primary care dentist from the plans network. Lastly, theres no out-of-network coverage, and seeing a specialist requires a referral.
Fee-for-service plans
Fee-for-service plans pay a flat rate for eligible services. This plan type allows greater flexibility because patients can visit the provider of their choice.
On the downside, out-of-pocket expenses are higher. Patients can either make a copayment at the dentists office or pay upfront and then file a claim for reimbursement with their insurance provider.
Dental discount plans
What Does Dental Insurance Not Cover
Whether you buy the most affordable plan you can find or the best dental insurance in your area, your plan wont cover everything. Keep an eye out for these common exclusions when you choose an insurance provider.
- Cosmetic services: No matter how expensive your dental insurance plan is, it wont cover treatments that your dentist deems non-medically necessary. If youre looking forward to whitening your teeth or getting veneers with your insurance benefits, know that these services wont be covered.
- Orthodontia: Braces and retainers usually arent solely cosmetic treatments. For example, you might need orthodontics to correct your overbite and to make chewing easier. Unfortunately, most dental insurance plans exclude orthodontics from treatment whether theyre medically necessary or not.
- Select denied services: Dental insurance providers arent under the same restrictions as health insurance providers. There isnt a set list of essential benefits that your dental insurance must include coverage for. This means that your insurance provider might exclude coverage. For example, many dental insurance plans dont include coverage for sealants, despite the fact that theyre an effective form of preventive care against cavities. Make sure your read your plans inclusions and conditions before you sign on the dotted line.
Aflac Dental Insurance Plans With Little To No Waiting Period
At Aflac, well work with you so you can get the treatments you need on a timeline that works. Our network dental insurance and employer-provided dental insurance have no waiting period for any services for most plans and our supplemental dental insurance has little to no waiting period, depending on the treatments you are seeking.
Our dental plans are affordable and thorough. We recommend you chat with an agent about your oral hygiene and coverage goals to see what makes the most sense.
Still have questions?
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The 7 Best Dental Insurance Plans With No Waiting Period Of 2022
- Best Preventive Care: Denali Dental
- Best Basic Coverage: UnitedHealthcare
- Best Major Coverage: Spirit Dental
- Best for Orthodontics: Ameritas
- Best Affordable Coverage: Delta Dental
- Coverage Limit: $1,000 to $1,500
- States Available: 49
Humana offers the most diverse dental insurance options with no waiting period, with three different plan types to choose from. Factor that in with affordable premiums, low deductibles, and a huge network of providers, and this insurer easily comes out on top as best overall option in our review.
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No waiting period for all covered services on some plans
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Choose from three different plan types
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270,000 in-network dentists
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Higher coinsurance than some competitors
Humana offers no waiting periods with four of its seven dental plans, and the options and benefits available are some of the best in the industry. Those who want coverage to begin immediately can choose from a PPO plan, HMO, or a dental discount plan with some of the lowest premiums we were able to find from any provider.
Humanas Preventive Value Individual and Dental Loyalty Plus plans provide PPO coverage, and we were quoted reasonable rates. Preventive Value Individual is designed for those who need only preventive and basic services, while Dental Loyalty Plus adds major service coverage. Both plans pay for 100% of preventive services. These preventive services include the standard two cleanings with exams per year.
How Does Dental Insurance Work
A dental insurance policy covers expenses for checkups, routine cleanings and other dental restorative work such as fillings, implants and crowns. Many providers such as Humana, Cigna and UnitedHealthOne also offer dental, hearing and vision bundles.
Providers are regulated at the state level, meaning plan availability, benefits and rates may vary per state.
Dental coverage benefits
Dental insurance carriers divide benefits into three categories: preventive care, basic or routine care and major procedures.
- Preventive care includes checkups , sealants and X-rays. Most providers offer 100% coverage with no waiting periods and deductibles for these procedures.
- Basic or routine care refers to fillings, non-routine X-rays, denture repairs and simple extractions. Coverage is generally capped at 80% and beneficiaries must meet the policys deductible rate.
- Major procedures include root canals, gum disease, surgical extractions, dentures and implants. Coverage rarely exceeds 50% after meeting the policys deductible.
Even if its technically major work, orthopedic treatment is considered a separate category for insurers. Its easier to find coverage for child orthodontia than for adults, but coverage is capped at 50% regardless of the patient’s age.
Companies also enforce a lifetime benefit limit, meaning they will only pay for braces or aligners once for the duration of the policy.
Dental coverage exclusions
Waiting periods
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Best Dental Insurance: Affordable Plans Lendedu
Mar 1, 2022 Delta Dental PPO: This mid-priced plan gives you the option to get care with any licensed dentist. However, if you see dentists within the PPO
Waiting periods apply for some services from the members coverage start date before
Jan 24, 2022 Individual plans can be more expensive than group plans, There are usually no waiting periods, so theyre covered as soon as you sign up
What To Consider When Choosing Dental Insurance
Waiting periods are just one thing seniors should think about before choosing a dental insurance provider. Individual providers can set their own rules about the types of care they cover, the copays and deductibles they apply and which dental surgeries are in their network. The best dental insurance providers give customers flexibility when it comes to choosing their dentists and provide cover for preventative care and basic dental work as well as dentures, implants and other more major care.
Before choosing a provider, read the terms carefully. Make sure it works with the dentist you like and that its flexible when it comes to emergency dental care. Some providers refuse to cover care at an out-of-network dental surgery, even in an emergency.
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Waiting Out A Waiting Period
Sometimes theres no getting around waiting periods, especially if youve decided a DPPO plan would be a better fit for your needs or if youve already committed to a certain provider.
Heres how to take good care of your teeth during your waiting period so you maybe avoid needing any basic or major procedures before your insurance kicks in:
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Brush your teeth twice each day with fluoride toothpaste
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Clean between your teeth daily, using floss or another interdental cleaner
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Eat a healthy diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks
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Visit your dentist twice a year for prevention and treatment of oral disease
Of course, these suggestions are important whether you currently have full dental insurance coverage or not. Its always better to prevent oral health issues than to treat them.
Does Cigna Dental Insurance Have A Waiting Period
Your body does a pretty good job healing minor injuries such as scrapes and bruises. But dental damage is different. Minor dental problems wont heal on their own. Instead, if left untreated, theyll always grow worse over time. Youll want to visit a dentist at the first sign of a dental problem but dental insurance wait periods can limit your treatment options.
Heres a closer look at Cigna dental waiting periods, how they might affect treatment and what other options you have for treating dental problems quickly:
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How Dental Insurance Waiting Periods Work
Depending on the insurance plan, dental policies may require that you have your policy for up to a year for major dental work before its covered. If you receive major dental work before the completion of the waiting period, you will be responsible for the entire bill.
One important point to note: if you had dental coverage prior to enrolling in a new plan, the waiting period might be waived. Check with your insurance company prior to any procedures so that you are aware of their waiting period policy.
Why Do Some Dental Insurance Plans Have A Waiting Period
Insurance is meant to be purchased before you need it not as a quick fix right after something major happens. Many insurance companies have waiting periods to make sure people dont sign up for dental insurance just to get a quick discount on major services, only to cancel the policy once the problem has been taken care of.
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Best For Basic Coverage: United Healthcare
United Healthcare
- 10 plans, 8 with no waiting periods
- Maximums in some plans range from about $1,000 to $3,000
- Available nationwide
We went with United Healthcare because it has eight dental insurance plans with no waiting periods for preventive care and basic. Also, the high-end plans have generous coverage maximums at a reasonable premium per month.
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No waiting period for Basic care
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No waiting period for Preventative care covered at 100%
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Shorter waiting periods on Major coverage for some plans
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Some of the plans only cover
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Basic care at 35% on day 1
Plan availability varies by state
United Healthcare is a prominent nationwide brand for insurance with a top rating from A.M. Best. It insures 30 million people nationwide and is underwritten by the Golden Rule Insurance Company. The company has a robust network of providers of roughly 182,000. United Healthcare’s dental plans are available in most states through employers and direct, but the plan features may vary based on where you live.
There are no waiting periods on Basic and Preventive care, generous annual maximums on the higher levels, and shorter, six-month waiting periods for Major coverage on many of its plans. In addition, several plans cover preventive at 100%. There are also no age restrictions on coverage. Moreover, the premiums are lower than we expected. For example, the monthly premium for a woman under 50 in California ranges from $24 to $64, depending on the plan.
Preventive Dental Care Helps Prevent These Problems
There are multiple dental plans with different levels of benefits to help you find the best dental insurance fit for your budget.4 If youve ever bought a gym membership or a treadmill to help remind you to take care of yourself, supplemental dental insurance from Golden Rule Insurance Company can be similar. Its that reminder to take care of your teeth. Even better, it can help you plan ahead for the costs of your dental care.
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Best Basic Coverage: Unitedhealthcare
- Coverage Limit: $1,000 to $3,000
- States Available: 47
UnitedHealthcare is our review’s best for basic coverage with several affordable choices that cover all of your basic dental needs, and most of UnitedHealthcares dental insurance policies impose no waiting period for these basic services, accompanied by low coinsurance rates that decrease every year you stay with the provider.
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Low coinsurance fees for basic services
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No wait for preventive coverage and often basic too
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Six-month waiting period for major services on some plans
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Only one plan to cover orthodontics
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Poor coverage for major services
Even with good oral hygiene and routine preventive care, most people need basic dental services such as fillings at some point. If youre looking for insurance to cover these treatments and you dont want to wait six months to a year for the policy to take effect, we recommend UnitedHealthcare. Seven of the providers 10 dental plans have no waiting period for either preventive and basic services.
UnitedHealthcare offers a wide array of dental policies. Many cover major services, but usually with a six-month wait. However, just one plan covers orthodontics, but coverage wont begin until 12 months after the policy start date.
No Waiting Period Dental Insurance Advice & Insights
Material discussed is meant for general illustration and/or informational purposes only and it is not to be construed as tax, legal, investment or medical advice. This is not dental care advice and should not be substituted for regular consultation with your dentist. If you have any concerns about your dental health, please contact your dentist’s office.
Links to external sites are provided for your convenience in locating related information and services. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents and employees expressly disclaim any responsibility for and do not maintain, control, recommend, or endorse third-party sites, organizations, products, or services and make no representation as to the completeness, suitability, or quality thereof.
1. https://www.nadp.org/Dental\_Benefits\_Basics/Dental\_BB\_1.aspx, 2017
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Key Dental Is Different Than Dental Insurance With No Waiting
See a qualified professional without waiting weeks or months. Youll also benefit from significant savings on nearly all dental procedures with a variety of specialists such as pediatric dentists, orthodontists, periodontists, prosthodontists, maxillofacial specialists, endodontists and oral surgeons.
In California, Florida, Texas and all over the United States, Key Dental Plan is different than dental insurance. With no waiting enjoy access to an expansive network of professional dental specialists who participate. Your existing dentist may even already participate!
Theres no need to stress if you dont have dental insurance. With no waiting join the Key Dental Plan today! Simply select the plan that is right for you or contact one of our friendly customer care representatives at 539-4550.
What Does Dental Insurance Cover
Most dental insurance plans include coverage for 3 types of dental treatments:
- Preventive care is a class of treatment intended to help you avoid oral health problems. Your biannual dental checkups are an example of preventive care.
- Regular services are routine treatments that help correct common dental health issues. Simple tooth extractions and cavity fillings are usually classified as regular services.
- Major services are rare and often invasive treatments that correct very large dental health issues. Bridges and crowns are usually classified as major services.
The percentage of your care cost that your dental insurance provider covers depends on your plan. When you look at plan choices, you may see your benefits listed as a list of three numbers. These numbers describe what percent of your dental care costs your insurance company will pay for after you reach your deductible. Most companies list these percentages in order of preventive-regular-major. For example, if you have a 100-80-50 plan, it means that your dental insurance provider will cover 100% of the costs of preventive care, 80% of the cost of regular services and 50% of the cost of major services.
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Other Dental Insurance Plans We Considered
The following companies didnt meet the requirements for any of our Best for categories, including providers with higher premium rates and dental insurance marketplaces. However, many offer comprehensive dental care and are still worthy of consideration.
MetLife
MetLifes five dental insurance options include affordable HMO policies with fixed copayment fees and PPO policies for members who want in-network and out-of-network coverage.
The most comprehensive policy available is PPO High, which has a yearly payout limit of $2,000. The plan covers 100% of preventive care, 80% of basic procedures and 50% of major work. The premium plan starts at $44.90.
- $20 enrollment fee
Are You Looking For Dental Insurance With No Waiting Periods
Youre in luck. Weve got multiple plan options with some of the best dental carriers in the country including Delta Dental and Renaissance Dental. The Renaissance Dental Max Choice plans include strong benefits for major services including dental implants with no waiting. The Delta Dental No Wait plan has a $2000 benefit max, while the Delta Dental Immediate Coverage plan has a $3000 benefit maximum and no waiting periods for major services.
With EasyDentalQuotes, we can help you find great dental coverage without waiting. Just enter your zip code to view plans in your area.
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Full Coverage Dental Plans
Good news not all dental insurance plans have waiting periods. Even the longest and strictest of waiting periods usually vary depending on the type of service. Most insurance providers split dental procedures into three categories: preventive procedures, basic procedures, and major procedures. Preventive services are usually not subject to waiting periods, but basic and major dental care often are subject to waiting periods. These are the most common types of dental insurance with no waiting periods:
Other Dental Insurance To Consider
Cignas offering is similar to Humanas with a $1,500 annual coverage limit and a $50 deductible. However, it has a waiting period of 6 months for basic dental services and 1 year for major services. The company is willing to waive this waiting period for those who were covered for at least 1 year by another plan before moving to Cigna, but the waiver is not guaranteed.
Aetnas dental insurance is less generous, with the maximum coverage in the first year being just $1,250, but the deductible is still the standard $50. It has similar waiting periods to Cigna, and its waiver terms are more generous. The company is willing to consider waiving the waiting period for people who were insured by another company for 90 days before starting their plan.
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