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| Society | Plans | Suppliers Networked (#) | Blanket Limit | Waiting for Period | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthem Essential Choice Platinum Best overall | 1 | 108,000 | $ 2,000 | None as a preventive measure; 6 months for the major | $ 50 per person; $ 150 for the family |
| Renaissance II plan Best budget |
2 | 300,000 | $ 1,000 | 12 months | $ 50 per person; $ 150 for the family |
| United Healthcare Premier Plus Ideal for no waiting period | 1 | 182,000 | $ 1,000 | Nothing | $ 50 per person; $ 150 for the family |
| Preferential Plus mutual fund for doctors Ideal for the elderly |
3 | 500,000 | Nothing | None as a preventive measure; 12 months for the major | Nothing |
| MetLife VADIP High Program Ideal for veterans | 2 | 490,000 | $ 3,000 | Nothing | $ 50 |
| Cigna DHMO Ideal for employee benefits | 5 | 93,000 | No maximum | N / A | Nothing |
How to choose the best dental insurance for implants
Keep in mind that dental insurance is not specific to dental implants. In other words, there is no dental implant policy. Instead, dental implants are a type of treatment covered by your dental insurance, usually under the “major” service category.
There are many options for dental insurance plans for implants to consider when deciding which dental insurance policy is ideal for your situation. To help you prioritize your research, consider these essential factors:
- Annual maximum: Dental insurance policies often limit the amount they pay for a subscriber in any given year, typically $ 1,000 to $ 1,500.
- Co-insurance amounts: The coinsurance is what you pay out of pocket after the insurance provision (for example, if the insurance pays 50%, you have 50% coinsurance to pay). Some companies increase their percentages the more you buy, which would lower your coinsurance amounts.
- Franchises: Policyholders must pay a fixed amount before their dental insurance benefits and coverage begin. Some policies have one that resets every year, while others have a lifetime deductible that doesn’t renew every year.
- Exclusions: This is what the policy does not cover. An example in terms of implants is an exclusion for teeth that were already missing when you purchased the coverage.
- On-grid vs. off-grid: Dental insurance plans have agreements with dentists and dental professionals. In most policies, the subscriber pays less out of pocket when working with a dentist in the network than a dentist outside the network.
- LEAT clause: The cheapest alternative treatment (LEAT) clause is found in some dental insurance policies. Insurance will sometimes not cover an implant if there is a cheaper treatment.
- Waiting times: This term describes how long until the insured can access benefits for certain services. A 12-month waiting period is the norm for major services, such as dental implants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does dental insurance cover for implants?
Dental insurance coverage for implants varies by policy. However, most insurance companies that sell individual policies have their benefit summaries available online, so you can see what to expect. To make sure that the dental insurance plan you are purchasing is right for you, we recommend that you review the policy benefits.
After you become familiar with what the policy covers, review what is not covered. These are often found in the limitations and exclusions sections after the Summary of Benefits. This is where you learn what conditions apply to the benefits of the insurance policy.
In most of the benefit summaries we read, dental insurance for implants covers the placement of the implant and the restoration that replaces the missing tooth. The most common exclusion for implants is teeth missing before coverage begins. However, this is not always the case. For example, VADIP plans cover teeth that were already missing. Plus, many policies limit how often you can treat a specific tooth. Usually this is once every 10 years, but some policies limit it to only five years.
General dentists and maxillofacial oral specialists, who place dental implants, work with dental insurance companies in their offices on a daily basis. Also, when dental offices are part of the network (i.e. a provider integrated into the network), the team usually knows the details of what is covered by your policy. We recommend that you ask your dental practice team to help you determine how your coverage and coinsurance amounts are working before planning treatment.
Is Dental Insurance For Implants Expensive?
The type of policy you choose affects what you pay for. Usually, the most affordable dental insurance plans often do not cover restoration work; Full coverage dental plans, which tend to have higher monthly premiums, are the ones that will cover procedures like implants.
Another option is to invest in a dental savings plan. Unlike insurance, a dental savings plan has pre-negotiated a discount on your behalf. Participating providers will charge the rate that savings plan members pay directly to the firm. These plans are often less expensive per month than dental insurance and can offer significant savings on dental implant treatment.
Does dental insurance for implants cover dentures?
The short answer to this question is sometimes. Most dental insurance policies state precisely what they cover in the summary of benefits and what they do not cover in the exclusions.
Many of the policies that cover implants also cover dentures and denture maintenance. In our research, we have seen that the Cigna Group DHMO and VADIP both cover prosthetics on implants, which are restorative devices that are fixed in the mouth on two or more dental implants. However, we should also note that many of the policies that do not cover dental implants still covered dentures.
Is Dental Insurance For Implants Different From Full Dental Coverage?
The short answer here is no. Dental insurance plans vary depending on their condition and the type of treatments they cover. Full coverage plans mean they cover preventative care, like cleanings, fluoride treatments, and x-rays; basic care, such as fillings and extractions; and major services, such as bridges, crowns, dentures and dental implants, among other treatments.
The plan can cover bridges, crowns and dentures, but not dental implants, while still being considered full dental coverage. Here’s another way of looking at it: all dental insurance plans for implants will be full coverage, but not all full dental coverage plans will cover dental implants.
Methodology
When choosing the best dental insurance plans for implants, we researched the offers of several carriers online. We compared factors such as available plans that covered implants, number of network providers, annual maximums covered, and required deductible. We also looked at the company’s reputation scores and ratings published by unbiased sources. In addition, we have also provided links to company sites for further exploration based on specific patient circumstances. As always, we recommend that you search after entering the state where you live, as dental coverage varies from state to state and not all plans are available in all states.
