Dental plans are optional and there is no tax penalty for not enrolling.
Open enrollment for covered health and dental plans in California began Nov. 1 and ends Jan. 31, and people who enroll before Dec. 15 can see their benefits begin Jan. 1. Lee said Wednesday that 34,000 new consumers have chosen plan health insurance through the exchange since open enrollment began.
About 1.3 million Californians, including about 66,000 aged 18 or younger, have already had health insurance through the exchange before the start of open registration.
Five insurers offer dental plans on covered California:
- Access the dental plan
- California Blue Cross Anthem
- Delta Dental of California
- Dental health services
- Privileged access
The majority of people enrolled so far — 23,000 out of a total of 33,000 — chose Delta Dental, Album said.
All plans will offer free preventive and diagnostic dental services for adults and children. Consumers can choose between dental organizations, which generally cost less but have smaller networks of dentists, or preferred dental organizations, which offer more choice but higher fees.
Note to parents: You do not have to enroll your children in a family dental plan, as children’s dental coverage is already included in their health insurance plan. Still, some parents choose to do so for additional coverage.
Dr. Ariane Terlet, a Berkeley dentist who is chief dentist for Oakland-based La Clinica de la Raza and a trustee of the California Dental Association, said people without dental insurance are four times more likely to not benefit. preventive care. Many Californians have struggled to purchase dental coverage in the individual market, she added, and the new availability of Covered California’s dental plans is expanding access to care.
“Not a week goes by that people don’t ask me what dental coverage is available for individuals,” Terlet said. “Having insurance is a crucial step in improving dental care. It will really help a lot of people improve their health.
