Humana Dental Plans for Seniors

Humana offers affordable dental plans for every stage of life, along with a large nationwide network of 117,000 dental providers.

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4.6 of 5
117,000 dentists in network
Dental savings program
Veteran plans available
MyHumana App

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SeniorLiving.org Rating:
4.6 of 5
Ana Durrani
Ana Durrani, Journalist and Contributor Read About Our Panel of Experts

Humana, one of the country’s largest dental insurance providers, offers several plans for older adults. The carrier has a network of over 117,000 dentist and specialist locations. Unlike some other carriers, including Delta Dental through Kaiser Permanente, Humana offers several plans to choose from, including a plan for veterans and a Dental Savings Plus program to get additional savings. The carrier is one of our picks for the best dental insurance plans for seniors. Here is a breakdown of the company’s dental plan offerings to help maintain that healthy smile.

Humana Dental Coverage Options

Preventive Value PPO

Best for: seniors looking for affordable, routine preventive care with a wide network of providers who don’t need major dental procedures.

If regular preventive maintenance is a priority, a dental PPO plan may be a good option. This plan comes with no waiting period, enrollment fee, or annual maximum. There’s a one-time lifetime deductible of $50 for an individual, $100 for an individual plus one dependent or spouse, and $150 for a family of three or more individuals.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? Aging adults are keeping their teeth longer.1 That’s good news for seniors, as well as extra motivation to keep up with those regular dental exams and cleanings with a good dental insurance plan. Both senior health habits can lower the risk of gum disease, which is linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other serious health  conditions.2

The plan provides 100 percent coverage in-network after the lifetime deductible is met and 80 percent for an out-of-network dentist after the lifetime deductible is met. It includes routine oral exams and evaluations, cleanings, X-rays, and topical fluoride treatment. Basic services are 50 percent covered in-network after the lifetime deductible is met and 30 percent covered for an out-of-network dentist after the lifetime deductible is met for services such as fillings, extractions, root removal, and emergency care for pain relief.

Bright Plus PPO

Best for: older adults who want both preventive and basic restorative care, as well as budget-friendly premiums with access to a wide network of providers.

The Bright Plus dental plan is a good fit for people who prefer regular exams and cleaning. Once signed up, members can use their coverage as soon as they receive their member ID card. There isn’t an enrollment fee, and the plan has a $50 individual deductible and a $150 family deductible. Plan members get a $100 annual allowance for in-office teeth whitening, which is a great extra benefit. Members should note, however, that deductibles and waiting periods don’t count for the teeth-whitening allowance.

Using an in-network dentist, plan subscribers get full coverage for two routine oral exams and cleanings each year, two limited oral evaluations, and one set of bitewing X-rays each year. Members also get a comprehensive periodontal evaluation every three years and one panoramic film combined with full mouth every five years.

Loyalty Plus PPO

Best for: aging adults who want comprehensive dental coverage with increasing benefits over time that includes preventive, basic, and major services with access to a broad provider network.

The Loyalty Plus PPO plan offers immediate coverage with no waiting period, and you get rewards for being a member. You have a choice of any Humana dentists, and benefits increase over the duration of your membership. The percentage your plan pays toward services grows annually until the third year. During your first year, you get a maximum of $1,000 per person. The second year it’s $1,250 maximum, and by the third year the limit increases to $1,500 per person. If you plan to be with the same carrier long-term, this is any easy way to score benefits just for being a loyal customer.

Pro Tip:

Pro Tip: Worried about paying for a dental plan? Check out our guide to free and low-cost dental care

Your basic dental services cover fillings, extractions, and X-rays up to the annual benefit maximum. It breaks down to 40 percent covered for the first year, 55 percent covered for the second year, and 70 percent covered for the third year forward. Coverage for major services means you’re covered for root canals, crowns, and dentures up to the annual benefit maximum. That’s 20 percent covered for the first year, 30 percent covered for the second year, and 50 percent covered for the third year forward.

Complete Dental PPO

Best for: older adults who want extensive dental coverage that includes preventive, basic, and major services with options for orthodontic work that gives them comprehensive care and access to a wide provider network.

The Complete Dental PPO is good for older adults transitioning from their employer’s insurance to their own plan. Having the PPO means you can maintain your already healthy smile with access to all of Humana’s dentist and specialist locations nationwide. You can also pay your premiums by mail, by phone, or online. Members pay an annual deductible of $50 per person or $150 per family. There’s no deductible as long as you use in-network providers for preventive services.

For preventive care, there is no waiting period to get two annual routine oral examinations, two cleanings per year, two annual topical fluoride treatments, and one limited annual oral evaluation. Your in-network coverage is 100 percent with no deductible, but some limits may apply.

FYI:

FYI: Signs of gum disease include bleeding gums when brushed, loose teeth, receding gums, and bad breath.3

For basic care, there is a six-month waiting period for services, although it may be waived if you have had coverage for 12 continuous months. Members will receive emergency care (including extractions and root removal), one filling per tooth for two years, and prefabricated stainless-steel crowns. In-network coverage is 80 percent after paying the deductible, but some limits apply.

There is a 12-month waiting period for major services, but it may be waived if you have had coverage for 12 continuous months. Services include oral surgery (including one root canal per tooth per lifetime), complete and partial dentures once per five years (plus repairs and adjustments), and crowns, onlays, and inlays (one per tooth per five years). Also included is periodontal maintenance (two per year) and periodontal scaling and root planing (one per quadrant every three years). In-network coverage is 50 percent after paying the deductible, but some limits apply.

Dental Value HMO

Best for: people who want lower premiums and to avoid unexpected costs. There is a set fee schedule, so there will be no surprises.

Dental Value is an HMO plan with affordable coverage for preventive, basic, and major services with fixed fees and no deductibles. Preventive services, including exams and cleaning, are covered 100 percent and have no deductible.

Plan members can expect zero deductibles or waiting periods and a $15 cost for non-emergency office visits ($10 in Kentucky). There is no maximum benefit limit and members can pay premiums by mail, by phone, or online. Plan members must choose a primary-care network dentist for routine care and to access network specialists.

Basic and major services are paid on a set fee schedule per a member’s benefit summary. Basic services include fillings, extractions, and X-rays, while major services include root canals, crowns, and dentures. This type of plan is available only in Florida, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, Illinois, and Kentucky.

Dental Savings Plus

Best for: people who need to have a lot of dental work done that goes beyond yearly insurance limits and those looking for a discount program.

Like Aetna, some dental insurance carriers offer dental discount cards or savings programs. Dental Savings Plus is not a plan, but you can still gain great dental benefits from it. You don’t pay deductibles or copays for office visits, and you can get discounts for preventive, basic, and major dental work. There’s also no limit on the number of services you use each year, but you will pay out of pocket for dental care at a discount. You can save 20 percent to 40 percent on services such as exams and cleanings.

Bright Plus for Veterans

Best for: veterans who want to have regular dental exams and cleanings to maintain their dental health.

Not all dental insurance carriers offer dental plans just for veterans, so this is a unique offering. Kaiser Permanente’s Delta Dental, for example, does not have designated plans for veterans. The plan covers preventive and basic services such as routine cleanings and exams, fillings, and extractions, and it offers a $100 teeth-whitening allowance and special discounts. The monthly premium is $25.99, and it features an annual dental plan maximum of $1,250 per individual, a $50 individual or $150 family deductible, and no copay. For fillings and extractions you pay 40 percent after the deductible. The plan has a three-month waiting period on basic services.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? Smokers have a higher risk for developing periodontitis than nonsmokers. Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for gum disease.4

Humana Dental Plan Costs

The chart below is an example of plan costs for a 65-year-old living in Florida. Prices, however, can vary widely based on age and location.

Preventive Value PPO Bright Plus PPO Loyalty Plus PPO Complete Dental PPO Dental Value HMO Dental Savings Plus
Monthly premium $20.49 $25.99 $41.99 $57.99 $11.99 $6.99
Deductible $50 individual lifetime, $50 per person with a $150 limit per policy lifetime $50 individual, $150 family $150 individual, $450 family; one time for the life of the plan $50 individual, $150 family Does not apply Does not apply
Annual maximum Unlimited $1,250 $1,000, $1,250, $1,500 per individual in year 1, 2, and 3+ $1,250, $1,500 per individual in year 1, year 2+ None None
Office visit No copay No copay No copay No copay $15 Save an average of $18
Routine cleaning and exam $0 after lifetime deductible $0 $0 $0 $0 Save an average of $33
X-rays $0 after lifetime deductible $0 You pay 60%, 45%, 30% after deductible in year 1, 2, 3+ $0 $0 Save an average of $24
Fillings You pay 50% after lifetime deductible You pay 40% after deductible You pay 60%, 45%, 30% after deductible in year 1, 2, 3+ You pay 20% after deductible You pay as little as $30 for silver and $45 for colored fillings Save an average of $45 on silver and $59 on colored fillings
Simple extractions You pay 50% after lifetime deductible You pay 40% after deductible You pay 60%, 45%, 30% after deductible in year 1, 2, 3+ You pay 20% after deductible You pay as little as $55 Save an average of $59
Oral surgery Not covered Not covered You pay 80%, 70%, 50% after deductible in year 1, 2, 3+ You pay 50% after deductible You pay as little as $60 Save an average of $43
Root canals Not covered Not covered You pay 80%, 70%, 50% after deductible in year 1, 2, 3+ You pay 50% after deductible You pay as little as $175 Save an average of $328
Crowns Not covered Not covered You pay 80%, 70%, 50% after deductible in year 1, 2, 3+ You pay 50% after deductible You pay as little as $410 Save an average of $295
Dentures Not covered Not covered You pay 80%, 70%, 50% after deductible in year 1, 2, 3+ You pay 50% after deductible You pay as little as $550 Save an average of $360
Orthodontics Not covered Not covered Discount may be available Discount may be available Discount may be available Up to a 20% discount

 

Humana Medicare Advantage Plans With Dental Coverage

Most of Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans come with routine dental and vision coverage. Dental benefits provide an annual exam, two annual free cleanings, and dental X-rays once every five years. They may also come with vision benefits such as yearly eye exams, a yearly allowance for eyeglasses or contacts, glaucoma screenings, and diabetic eye exams. If you’re interested in a Medicare Advantage plan, check out our guides to the best Medicare Advantage plans and the best dental supplemental plans.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? Medicare Advantage members will not have a separate card for dental benefits. Dental benefits will appear on the back of the card.

For comparison, seniors seeking more coverage from a Medicare Advantage plan may want to consider Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage members have the option to combine their Medicare coverage with Medicare coverage through Advantage Plus. Adding Plus gets you comprehensive dental, fitness, vision, and hearing benefits all in one package for a low monthly price.

How to Purchase a Humana Dental Plan

To purchase a Humana dental plan, you can enroll online or call a licensed Humana sales agent between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. When buying online, you can input the state you live in and your age to bring up your plan options. To choose a plan, you simply add it to your cart. You will then be presented with the cost and your new plan’s effective date. Next, you will be prompted to add applicant details and household details. It will take you to a final page to review and check out. You can also benefit from the MyHumana app, which allows you to do everything from locate a dentist to refill prescriptions.

Humana Reviews

Humana gets mostly negative customer reviews on multiple websites. Many customers cited disappointment with the company’s policies, problems with billing and reimbursement services, and poor customer service. Customer reviews ranged from “not all of the providers they list accept all of their plans” to “when calling for assistance, all they want to do is upsell you a more expensive policy.” The company gets an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and is accredited, but it has received 219 complaints in the past three years.5

We recommend taking customer reviews with a grain of salt. Everyone’s experience is different, and people are more likely to leave reviews about negative experiences than positive ones. When reading reviews, we recommend looking for common themes rather than weighing any one review too heavily.

>> Compare: Kaiser Dental Plans for Seniors

Final Thoughts

Humana Dental has a large provider network and a good selection of dental plans, including more affordable plans such as the Preventive Value Plan. The company offers lifetime deductibles on some plans, which can bring significant savings, and it has increasing annual maximum benefits with the Loyalty Plus plan.

Humana’s dental plans are not offered in all states, however, and premiums can vary. Customer reviews should also be taken into consideration, particularly in regard to customer service. If you’re looking for benefits, particularly for preventive care, Humana may be one to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do seniors get free dental care?

    No, routine dental cleanings, fillings, and dentures are not covered by Medicare unless they are related to medical emergencies. Dental societies and some charitable organizations may be able to help though. You can also ask your dentist if they offer senior discounts.

  • How often should you visit your dentist?

    It is recommended that you visit your dentist for a check-up at least every six months to ensure your dental health is in top shape.

  • What does “no waiting period” mean for Humana dental plans?

    Some Humana dental plans have no waiting period, which means members can get covered in about five days — as soon as they receive their membership card.

  • Is Humana worth it?

    Humana offers flexible and affordable dental plans and a discount plan to save you money, so it’s worth taking a look at. What company or plan you choose ultimately comes down to your specific dental health needs and budget.

Citations
Written By:
Ana Durrani
Journalist and Contributor
Read About Our Panel of Experts
Ana has covered a wide range of topics in her 20-plus-year career as a journalist, contributing to numerous international and domestic publications. For several years she served as a regular contributor to Realtor.com. Some of the publications she’s written for… Learn More About Ana Durrani