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If you’re a senior looking for dental coverage, you’ll likely want the most flexible and affordable option. Unfortunately, there’s no dental plan for seniors built to be one-size-fits-all. The “best” dental plan for you depends on the urgency of which you need care, your location, and your budget. However, there are four dental insurance plans worth looking into if you’re interested in receiving senior dental care: Aetna, Delta Dental, Humana, and Renaissance.
Exploring the Top Options for Dental Plans for Seniors
When it comes to dental coverage for seniors, these four plans can be suitable options for maintaining your oral health.
Aetna Dental Direct Preferred PPO
Aetna Dental Direct Preferred PPO offers 100% coverage for preventive services when you visit an in-network dentist. When you use in-network providers and pay the deductible, this plan will cover 80% of basic services and 50% of major services.
Pricing
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Annual Deductible — $50 per person, $150 per family
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Annual Benefit Maximum — $1,250 per person for in-network coverage and $1,000 per person for out-of-network coverage.
Are There Waiting Periods?
Yes. After six months of continuous coverage, you can receive a resin filling (one surface), periodontal maintenance cleanings, and an uncomplicated extraction. After 12 months of continuous coverage, you can get oral surgery, crowns, root canal therapy, and dentures. But if you show proof of prior dental insurance, these waiting periods can be waived.
Options for Dentists
You can see both in-network and out-of-network dentists. However, if you visit an out-of-network dentist, you won’t get the same rates as seeing an in-network dentist.
Bottom Line
If you need more than routine dental care, Aetna Dental Direct Preferred PPO provides a high level of dental coverage for seniors. However, you have to endure waiting periods to receive basic or major services if you don’t have proof of prior dental insurance.
Delta Dental PPO Premium
Delta Dental PPO Premium provides 100% coverage for preventive and diagnostic services. Additionally, this plan offers 80% coverage for basic services, including fillings, teeth whitening and more, and 50% coverage for cosmetic services, orthodontics and other major services, including root canals, gum treatments, tooth extractions, dentures, crowns, and more.
Pricing
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Annual Deductible — $50 per person, $150 per family
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Annual Benefit Maximum — $2,000 per person
Are There Waiting Periods?
Yes. Even if you have proof of prior dental insurance, Delta still won’t waive the waiting periods. You must wait six months to receive basic services and 12 months to receive major services and orthodontic care.
Options for Dentists
You can visit any licensed dentist, but you’ll generally save more by seeing a dentist within the Delta PPO network.
Bottom Line
Delta Dental PPO Premium provides the highest annual benefit maximum on this list and offers coverage for orthodontics and cosmetic services like night guards and teeth whitening. However, there are waiting periods for basic and major services, even if you have proof of prior dental insurance.
Humana Complete
Humana Complete provides 100% coverage for preventive services and no deductible if you visit an in-network provider. Additionally, this plan covers 80% of basic services and 50% of major services.
Pricing
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Annual Deductible — $50 per person, $150 per family (waived for preventive services when using in-network providers)
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Annual Benefit Maximum — $1,250 for year 1, $1,500 for year 2, and after
Are There Waiting Periods?
Yes. You must wait six months to get basic services and 12 months to receive major services. However, if you provide proof of 12 months of prior dental insurance, you can have these waiting periods waived.
Options for Dentists
You can see both in-network and out-of-network dentists. However, out-of-network dentists can charge you rates above the amount covered by Humana, so it’s best to see an in-network dentist to avoid these higher rates.
Bottom Line
Humana Complete offers no deductible for preventive services when using in-network providers and bumps up its annual benefit maximum to $1,500 after a year of continuous coverage. But if you can’t show proof of prior dental insurance, you’ll be subject to waiting periods for basic and major services.
Renaissance Dental Insurance
When using an in-network dentist, Renaissance Dental Insurance provides 100% coverage with no deductible for preventive and diagnostic services. It also covers 80% of basic services and 50% of major services.
Pricing
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Annual Deductible — $50 per person, $150 per family
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Annual Benefit Maximum — $1,000 per person
Are There Waiting Periods?
Yes. Even if you can show proof of prior dental insurance, you must wait six months before receiving basic services and 12 months before receiving major services.
Options for Dentists
You can visit both in-network and out-of-network providers. However, if you see an out-of-network dentist, Renaissance will only cover 80% of preventive and diagnostic services and 60% of basic services.
Bottom Line
Renaissance Dental Insurance covers 100% of preventive and diagnostic services with no deductible if you use an in-network dentist. However, there are waiting periods for basic and major services. Additionally, Renaissance offers the lowest annual benefit maximum on this list.
Protecting Yourself Against Unexpected Dental Care Costs
While these dental insurance plans provide many different benefits, they all share a common thread: waiting periods. Although Aetna and Humana can waive these waiting periods if you can show proof of prior dental insurance, Delta Dental and Renaissance don’t offer this option, subjecting you to waiting periods for at least six months. If you’re looking for a dental plan that can be used immediately for needs outside of preventive care, consider a dental savings plan.
Dental savings plans provide quick activation, no annual limits, and no restrictions based on current health conditions. Call us at 1-833-735-0399 if you want to discuss your options as a senior who needs dental care coverage.
