Our experts have researched 14 dental plans and recommend 10 of the best options for seniors.
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Top 10 Highest Ranked Senior Dental Plans for 2020
How We Chose Our Top List
Shopping for a quality dental plan? If so, our top 10 list covers everything you need to know. We researched the best dental insurance plans for seniors, looking at premiums, benefits and discounts, convenience, wait periods, account portals, and more. Don’t go another day without the perfect dental plan in place, especially if you’re a retiring senior.
Humana offers numerous programs, with the most affordable being the Dental Savings Plus Discount Plan, which isn’t insurance but a simple rate plan accepted by participating dentists. Customers pay a flat annual rate and a $15 enrollment fee. The most popular packages have a $35 enrollment fee and costs vary depending on your home state, age, smoking status and the package chosen. Top options include Humana Preventive Plus Package for Veterans, Dental Preventive Plus and Dental Loyalty Plus, with the latter having a one-time deductible rather than annual one, making it the most comprehensive (and most expensive) plan. On average, these insurance plans cost between $22-65 monthly.
Convenient and cost-effective Humana dental insurance is the best deal on today’s market for those who’ve served in the military under the Preventive Plus for 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 their account information, claim statuses, check on prescription prices, locate a pharmacy and even refill prescriptions through the MyHumana app.
The myCigna Preventative plan only covers the cost of cleanings, fluoride applications, oral exams, X-rays, sealant and non-orthodontic space maintainers. These are covered 100% twice per year. The myCigna Dental 1000 plan maxes out at $1000 annually and has a $50 and $150 deductible for individual and family plans respectively. The myCigna Dental 1500 plan caps at $1500 per annum and has a one-time $50 deductible. While both plans have a one-year waiting period, they cover a portion of dental work such as root canals, crowns and fillings, the myCigna 1500 also covers orthodontics. Specific plan pricing varies tremendously by state, but typically range between $17-63 per month.
Seniors seeking flexible dental insurance at great rates with global coverage should give Cigna serious consideration. 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. Aging individuals will find their website easy to navigate and will never have to worry about processing claims or paying out-of-pocket for covered expenses.
Guardian has three featured dental plans: Advantage Gold PPO, Advantage Silver PPO and the Advantage Bronze PPO. The cost of each plan varies depending on the state you live in and the type of coverage you need. On average, these plans range from a budget-conscious $16 per month up to comprehensive coverage expenses around $60 monthly, but will also vary between individual plans and family plans.
Seniors not only appreciate the value of Guardian dental plans, but they also find that navigating their online system to be rather easy and safe. Using a tablet, computer or smartphone, policyholders can quickly access a list of providers, track claims, get dental work cost estimates and explore the more than 101,000 participating dentists with Guardian. This provider also requires minimal claim forms (if any) and pays out claims rather quickly with turnarounds averaging 2-14 days.
Careington offers straightforward annual prices that are $99 for most enrollees. There is a one-time $20 processing fee when signing up and benefits are available for use typically immediately or within a few days. Fee schedules and actual savings for each procedure are listed by the individual providers and will vary from dentist to dentist. If you aren’t happy with the plan, you can cancel within 30 days.
Careington dental plans are great for seniors looking for a low-cost option to traditional insurance. It’s excellent for those who don’t require major dental work but is also a wise choice for those needing dentures. There are no health checks, age-requirements or pre-authorizations needed before seeking treatment under the Careington Dental program, nor is there a long waiting period so you can seek care right away. You’ll also enjoy the extra discounts for vision, hearing and prescription services. Sign up today to enjoy significant savings without dealing with insurance paperwork.
Depending on your state of residence and current health condition, premiums will vary. On average, the lowest premiums ranged between $25 and $31, while upgraded plans averaged $33 to $47. These are some of the most reasonable rates on the market, making Aetna dental insurance a deal for those who are eligible.
Again, while availability is highly limited, those who can get Aetna should give their plans a hard look. With such low rates and exceptional coverage through a wide network of top-notch dentists, it’s a great way to save money and maintain oral health. Seniors appreciate that Aetna will pay up to 80% of denture repairs and offers generous coverage for new dentures and replacements.
Because of its diverse coverage across the nation, the cost of individual plans and family plans will vary. In general, individual Liberty Dental plans cost between $75-$100, while family plans average $125-175 annually. Seniors 65 and up qualify for special discounts that will depend upon their plan. Prepare to pay a $20 enrollment fee when signing up.
Seniors seeking access to emergency care or who are looking to have some major dental work done will find Liberty Dental to be an appealing choice. As a dental discount program, most pre-existing conditions will be covered and you can save as much as you want all year long without limits. Low one-time rates and the lack of filing insurance claims are additional perks any customer appreciates.
There are too many potential cost factors in determining a monthly average for Delta’s policies. However, the Delta Dental Premier coverage for one person averages $50, $100 for two people and $154 for a family plan. These averages will depend on whether you choose the HMO or PPO type plan and the age of those to be listed on the policy. Most packages cover two preventive sessions annually 100%.
Delta Dental is ideal for seniors looking for a reliable program with a large network of providers to choose from. Budget minded seniors can see up-front costs of services with potential providers before making a choice, so there are no surprises at the dentist office. If you have the need for major dental services such as dentures, root canals and crowns, Delta Dental deserves to be a candidate on your list.
As mentioned, the estimated cost of UnitedHealthcare’s six dental plans are not widely available without searching every state, possible age brackets, health issues, etc. Therefore, we recommend contacting the company directly for their updated 2019 rates. However, if they fall in line with their healthcare rates, expect them to be on the higher end of the scale.
Seniors who prefer an in-network provider will enjoy the options with United HealthCare, as they offer several deductible and premium levels. However, there are options to use out-of-network providers, but they may cost you more out-of-pocket for procedures. One of the greatest benefits for seniors with this company is that they offer age-consideration plans that are designed for elderly customers. These policies specifically cover common senior dental needs such as dentures, bridges and dental implants.
Spirit Dental plans cover two people, but there are also family plans. Depending on the coverage you choose, pricing may be higher than the averages of these couple’s plans that had reasonable rates ranging from $36-74 monthly. Family plans will cost more. These plans’ benefits range from $1200-$5000 with a lifetime $100 deductible. Preventive care is 100% covered, and vision insurance can be added for $7 monthly.
Seniors looking to stay with a provider long-term will enjoy greater benefits with Spirit Dental compared to other programs. Their policy rates are highly affordable, with most basic procedures covered at up to 65% in just the first year. These savings can increase to 90% by the third year of coverage. Major savings are also to be had on more expensive treatments and dental implements. There’s no arguing that Spirit Dental will raise senior’s spirits with exceptional plans and perks.
There are no set prices for MetLife TakeAlong Dental plans, as this will depend on whether the enrollee is a current member transitioning to a new plan, their age and other factors such as smoking habits. Of course, the Dental Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)/Managed Care program is yet to launch, so rates are yet to be announced by MetLife. However, members enjoy discounts from 15-50% and coverage for more than 400 dental procedures.
MetLife’s dental programs are a great way to enhancing retirement benefits and keep a smile on your face and those of your loved ones. With coverage for services such as implants, dentures, veneers and other commonly needed dental implements for seniors, Met Life might just be the right option to meet your needs. If you prefer HMO care options, don’t forget to look into the new plan if you reside in California, Florida, Texas or New York.
As we age, our oral health becomes more complicated and yet more detrimental to overall wellbeing. Seniors have special needs such as dealing with gum disease, root decay, broken or lost teeth and even arthritic conditions that can lead to dental problems. Retiring seniors especially need to begin looking for a plan to avoid costly coverage gaps, as Medicare offers no type of dental coverage in general.
Most dental insurance companies offer an array of plans that range from basic preventive-only coverage and discount savings plans to comprehensive traditional packages and ‘gold-level’ plans. Except for dental discount plans, most programs have a six-month or longer waiting period, especially for major dental work coverage to kick in. This makes finding a new policy before losing any current coverage essential for seniors.
Standalone dental insurance plans can range anywhere from $30 per month to over $100 monthly for individual plans, with family programs averaging triple those estimates depending on coverage levels. Deductibles typically average between $50-$150 per year, but some plans offer a one-time deductible for premium policies. The most affordable option for those seeking temporary or low-cost care can invest between $75 and $150 in a dental insurance discount program that offers enrollees substantial discounts on all services beginning within days of signing up. Costs will vary for all types of coverage by state, age, the number of enrollees and your program selection.
Dentures are often available under most dental insurance plans and dental savings/discount programs. However, under most traditional dental insurance programs members will have to wait a year or more to qualify for denture-related services. The good news is, that most dental discount plans offer some level of denture coverage within days of enrollment for a small annual enrollment fee. Furthermore, it’s important to check each plan carefully to see if there is a pre-existing condition clause that prohibits dentures and repairs unless the teeth are lost or broken during a period of coverage under their policy.
Since graduating from Harvard with an honors degree in Statistics, Jeff has been creating content in print, online, and on television. Much of his work has been dedicated to informing seniors on how to live better lives. As Editor-in-Chief of the personal… Learn More About Jeff Hoyt