Best Dental Plans for Seniors in 2024

With more than 88,000 dentists and over 309,000 provider locations nationwide, Cigna is a well-known dental insurance provider. If you love traveling, or have considered living abroad for an extended period, Cigna might be a great choice for affordable dental insurance coverage.

Cigna offers three coverage options, including an affordable preventive care package that covers 100 percent of associated costs such as exams, X-rays, basic cleanings, and fluoride treatments. The Cigna Dental Preventive Plan has no deductibles or copays for office visits, and an approximate $19 average monthly premium. Many seniors appreciate that Cigna Dental PPO plans don’t require patients to self-submit claims or pay the entire cost of treatments up front. Cigna’s dentists always file claims, and you simply pay the remaining balance. Keep in mind that you can choose from low deductible plans, high annual maximum plans, or bundled plans for more comprehensive coverage.

Pricing

The Cigna Dental Preventive Plan covers the cost of cleanings, fluoride applications, oral exams, X-rays, sealant, and non-orthodontic space maintainers. These are covered 100 percent twice per year. The Cigna Dental 1000 plan, conversely, maxes out at $1,000 per person annually and has a $50 and $150 deductible for individual and family plans, respectively. The average monthly premium starts at $33 but may vary. In comparison, Cigna Dental 1500 is best for those who may need additional dental care such as orthodontia with an average monthly premium of $39.

With the highest amount of coverage, Cigna Dental 5000/250 Insurance Plan is capped at $5,000 per person per year and has a maximum $250 deductible per person. Both plans have a one-year waiting period for major procedure coverage, but they cover a portion of dental work, including root canals, crowns, and fillings. The Cigna Dental 5000/250 plan covers orthodontics, while the Cigna Dental 1000 plan does not, but Cigna has you covered with a range of plans and coverage levels between the two. Specific plan pricing varies tremendously by state, but typically ranges from $20 to $60 per person per month.

The Bottom Line

Seniors seeking flexible dental insurance at great rates with global coverage should consider Cigna. As a PPO, you have no primary dentist and have a large network of providers. Cigna also pays a portion of most services from out-of-network providers, making it very convenient. Older adults will find the company’s website easy to navigate and won’t have to worry about processing claims or paying out of pocket for covered expenses.

Mutual of Omaha was founded in 1909 and now offers a comprehensive array of insurance services, including Medicare plans, life insurance, long-term care insurance, and dental insurance. The company also offers financial services, including mortgage, investment, and annuities services.

With more than 400,000 in-network dental providers, Mutual of Omaha is a popular choice for many older adults. The company offers two dental plans, as well as a vision rider and a dental savings plan. The least expensive dental plan starts at an estimated $34.85 per month, although costs will vary by location. You can choose from annual maximum benefits up to $5,000 to customize the coverage to your needs.

Pricing

Premiums vary, and plans are not available in all 50 states. We accessed plan information for Minnesota and found available two plans. The Mutual Dental Protection plan costs $34.85 per month with a $100 calendar year deductible. It covers preventive services in full, 50 percent of basic services, and 20 percent of major services on day one, and then 50 percent after year one.

The Mutual Dental Preferred plan costs $63.58 per month. It has no deductible for preventive services, and there's a $50 deductible for basic and major services. Its preventive and major services coverage is the same as the Protection plan, but the Preferred plan covers 80 percent of basic services compared to the Protection plan’s 50 percent.

The costs are nearly double Guardian’s costs, but they’re very similar to Aetna’s costs. There are other benefits to Mutual of Omaha coverage that help to justify the plan’s cost, however,  such as no waiting period. Plus, Mutual of Omaha’s large network of 400,000 dental facilities gives you plenty of choices for care.

The Bottom Line

Mutual of Omaha’s two dental insurance plans are affordably priced and offer impressive coverage, including full coverage of preventive services. There is no waiting period, and you can choose from three maximum benefits up to $5,000 per year. Coverage isn’t available in every state, but Mutual of Omaha’s network of more than 400,000 providers means you’ll have numerous dental offices to choose from.

Aetna, with its nationwide network of more than 420,000 providers, is one of the most popular insurers in the U.S. for individuals and families. Aetna is a solid dental insurance provider with numerous options to consider. Currently, Aetna offers three main PPO plans with the most inexpensive one starting at $19.80 per month. Plus, they offer a dental discount card, Aetna Vital Savings, for instant savings of 15 to 50 percent off most dental services, with card rates starting at $7.99 per month.

>> Detailed Breakdown: Aetna Dental Plans for Seniors

Pricing

Premiums vary depending on your state of residence and current health condition. On average, the lowest premiums cost between $20 and $31, while upgraded plans average $45 to $70. Those are some of the most reasonable rates on the market, making Aetna dental insurance a great deal for eligible seniors.

The Bottom Line

With low rates and exceptional coverage through a wide network of top-notch dentists, Aetna dental plans offer a great way to save money and maintain oral health. Seniors with Aetna will enjoy up to 50 percent coverage for denture repairs and affordable coverage for new dentures and replacements.

Spirit Dental stands out among dental insurance providers for a number of reasons. In addition to plans with in-network providers and those that allow you to pick your own dentist, Spirit Dental has no waiting period for basic dental care or even major services such as bridges or crowns. Customers receive two free exams and three annual cleanings with every plan, which is rare for the industry. Moreover, the longer you maintain policies, the higher your savings. Spirit Dental offers vision, life, and disability add-on policies in addition to dental benefits. It doesn’t deny any applications, but it does exclude certain pre-existing conditions such as broken dentures, teeth, or implants.

Pricing

Spirit Dental plans cover two people, but the company also offers family plans for more  comprehensive coverage. Rates for couples depend on the plan you choose and your location, with averages ranging from $45 to $200 per month. Family plans cost more, but include up to $5,000 maximum coverage with a lifetime $100 deductible. Preventive care is 100 percent covered, and vision insurance can be added for as little as $7 monthly. Additionally, if you have a Spirit Dental Senior Preferred Plan, you can choose to opt in for hearing coverage.

The Bottom Line

Seniors looking to stick to a single dental provider long-term may enjoy greater benefits with Spirit Dental. Along with guaranteed acceptance, policy rates are affordable, with most basic procedures covered at up to 65 percent in the first year. These savings can increase to 90 percent by the third year of coverage. Plus, you can choose your dentist, giving you more autonomy over your dental care. You can also save on more expensive treatments such as dental implants, crowns, bridges, and more.

Humana is one of the nation’s largest dental insurance providers, offering plans for employers, groups, and individuals. With highly-rated customer service and affordable plans, Humana is popular among seniors because it offers special veterans’ programs and a loyalty program to most consumers. These plans may include discounts on hearing exams, alternative medical therapies, and prescription discounts. They can even be combined with vision insurance. With over 335,000 dental care providers in its network, finding care with Humana is a breeze online, via the mobile app, or by calling customer service.

Pricing

Humana offers numerous programs, such as the Dental Savings Plus Discount Plan. It’s an affordable dental discount plan that is accepted by participating dentists, rather than a typical insurance plan. Customers pay a flat monthly rate of $6.99 and a $15 enrollment fee with an average of $14 savings on copays for non-emergent office visits. A few of the plans have a $35 enrollment fee, and costs vary depending on your home state, age, smoking status, and the package you choose. Top options include Humana Bright Plus Veterans, Preventive Value, and Loyalty. The latter has a one-time deductible rather than an annual one, making it the most comprehensive (and expensive) plan.

The Bottom Line

Convenient and cost-effective, Humana dental insurance is the best deal in today’s market for people who have served in the military under the Bright Plus Veterans plan. Only a one-year commitment is required to enjoy the immense benefits of this exclusive program. Seniors can easily find a dentist, review benefits and coverage, access account information, claim statuses, check prescription prices, locate a pharmacy, and refill prescriptions through the MyHumana app.