How Does Secondary Dental Insurance Work?

Secondary dental insurance functions as an additional coverage layer to your primary dental insurance. Just as it sounds, it comes into play only after the primary insurance has paid its part. Secondary dental insurance is typically used when the cost of your treatment exceeds the maximum coverage limit of your primary insurance plan (typically $1,000-$1,500 annually). Or you might want secondary insurance to reduce the cost of treatments that are not covered by your primary dental insurance plan.

Using secondary insurance can be complicated. It’s important to discuss all your dental insurance coverage with your dentist. There can be restrictions on what policy can be used for which procedures in a specific treatment plan. Your secondary policy may also have a non-duplication of benefits clause, which can limit what the policy pays versus what standard dual coverage would pay.

Dental procedures can be expensive, and even with primary insurance, the residual costs can be burdensome. For families or individuals with extensive dental needs or with a history of dental issues, having additional coverage can be a smart financial decision.

But secondary dental insurance isn’t your only option when you need to save more at the dentist. Dental savings plans (also known as dental discount plans) are also a great complement to a primary dental insurance plan, as they are free of the limitations you often get with insurance.

While primary and secondary insurance typically have annual maximums, deductibles and waiting periods, dental savings plans do not. Plans activate right away, can be used as often as needed, and plan members report saving an average of 50%* on their dental care.

Read on to learn more about secondary dental plans.

How Do You Get Secondary Dental Insurance?

Obtaining secondary dental insurance isn’t much different from getting primary insurance. Some of the most common ways to get secondary insurance include:

Through employment – Often, if both spouses or partners have jobs that offer dental insurance, one plan can act as the primary while the other can be designated as the secondary.

Direct purchase – Insurance companies often provide options for individuals to purchase secondary insurance, just as one would purchase primary insurance.

Medicare or Medicaid Supplements – For those who qualify for governmental programs like Medicare or Medicaid, secondary dental plans are sometimes available to provide additional coverage.

Important things to know about secondary dental insurance

Coordination of Benefits (COB). This is the process through which your primary and secondary insurance companies communicate to determine which plan will pay for what. It ensures that no service is paid for twice.

No double coverage. Having two insurance policies doesn’t mean that both will pay for the full amount of a service. It simply means that the secondary might cover what the primary doesn’t.

Claim submission. Typically, claims are submitted to the primary insurer first. Once the primary insurer pays their part, a claim, along with the primary insurer’s Explanation of Benefits (EOB), is then sent to the secondary insurer for additional payment consideration.

Potential for over-or-under insurance. Before purchasing secondary dental insurance, it’s crucial to evaluate the costs and benefits. Paying premiums for two insurances, especially if annual limits are still going to leave you paying out of pocket, may not be cost-effective.

Dental savings plans vs. secondary dental insurance

A dental savings plan is not insurance. Instead, it provides plan members with access to a network of dentists who offer quality dental care at reduced rates. Pay one low annual fee and then save as often as you need to.

The advantages of dental savings plans compared to dental insurance include:

Complements primary insurance –dental savings plans can be used to lower the cost of dental care after you max out your insurance, or on a procedure that your insurance will not cover. While you can’t use your dental savings plan and your insurance on the same procedure (same as with secondary insurance), you can use your plans on different procedures. Speak with your dentist to coordinate your plans so you can maximize your savings.

Predictability – Dental insurance plans, including secondary ones, often come with a predetermined set of coverages and spending caps. Dental savings plans offer easy-to-understand savings on services, and there’s no limit on how many times you can use those savings.

Cost-effectiveness –Depending on one’s dental needs, a dental savings plan could be more cost-effective than dental insurance, especially if the individual requires expensive dental work. And with dental savings plans, unlike insurance, there are no deductibles and no waiting.

Simplicity – Dental insurance, with claims processes and COBs, can sometimes be complex. Dental savings plans, in contrast, are more straightforward—you pay your discounted rate when you get your dental care.

Broad range of discounts –Along with savings on virtual all dental treatments, dental savings plans often offer reduced rates on cosmetic services, such as dental implants, teeth whitening and porcelain overlays, that dental insurance typically doesn’t include. Some dental savings plans also offer savings on prescriptions as well as vision and hearing care and other health and wellness services.

There are plans that fit every dental care need and budget. The quickest way to find the perfect dental plan for your needs is with our online dental plan finder — just answer a few questions and you’ll receive a personalized plan recommendation in minutes. Want a quick peek at how much you can save on your dental care right now? Use our calculator below.

*Discount health program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. savings may vary by provider, location, and plan.