The “Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry” states that more than 37.9 million Americans will need access to dentures in 2020.
If dentures are on your horizon, you may also need to look into affordable dental insurance to help pay for them. Check out benzinga’s guide to finding the best dental insurance that covers dentures.
Reading: What is the best dental insurance for dentures
quick view: the best dental insurance that covers dentures
- cigna
- careington
- human
- united health
- best to choose: delta dental
- preventive care
- emergency care
- fillers
- root canals
- retainers
the best dental insurance providers that cover dentures
Transitioning to dentures is a serious investment, and solid dental insurance or a savings plan can help you navigate the change. Take a look at our best dental insurance providers that cover dentures.
1. cigna
a dental savings plan never has a waiting period and is guaranteed acceptance. Cigna is the best overall for denture coverage because its benefits balance waiting time and savings.
Cigna’s CignaPlus Dental Savings Plan includes dentures. an individual plan costs $131.71 per year. Cigna claims you could save more than 40% on the total cost of dentures immediately, with most traditional insurance plans covering 50% after a waiting period of at least 1 year.
Cigna works with more than 110,000 providers nationwide, so it’s possible to find a dentist who can partner with your plan for maximum savings.
2. careington
careington is another dental savings plan provider that can help you pay for dentures right away. the careington 500 series dental savings plan lets you get your discount right away, and individual plans are only $131.71 per year.
You can save nearly 40% on dentures with the plan, and your preventive or minor routine dental work also qualifies for a discount. there is no authorization or annual limits. In addition, do not forget that savings plans do not require claims procedures. And what you pay in the office after your dental work is all you’ll pay.
3. human
The wait can be worth it with Humana’s Dental Plus PPO Loyalty Plan. the first year of the human plan only covers 20% of your denture bill, but by year 3 it will cover 50%.
humana’s monthly premium averages $34.99 and the annual maximum increases from $1,000 to $1,500 between years 1 and 3. you can see any dentist, but if you stay in network, you can save more of 25%.
In addition to denture coverage, this plan offers 100% coverage for preventive care, your choice of dentist, and a one-time deductible.
4. health care united
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unitedhealthcare dental plans allow you to purchase your own insurance, especially when dental insurance isn’t covered where you work. most health plans don’t have dental options, and you’ll need to come here for help. yes, you may have found a plan in the health care marketplace, but you still need dental coverage.
check with united for more information on eligibility and you will find that their plans cover:
There is a large network of providers to choose from. The company has no age restrictions and you pay the dentist directly, no need to wait for additional claims or bills in the mail.
5. best option: dental delta
delta dental has 2 options for denture coverage: preferred prime and platinum prime. both are ppo plans and both require a 12-month wait for dentures. after the wait, they both cover 50% of your denture costs. the biggest differences are the monthly premiums and annual maximums.
preferred prime offers an annual maximum of $1,000 and a monthly premium of around $40. platinum prime costs $57.22 each month, but the maximum is $2,000. Depending on your provider and the type of dentures you choose, dental dental may be able to help you pay the bill.
does dental insurance cover dentures?
Most dental insurance plans offer some coverage. plans classify dentures under restorative coverages, so coverage of 50% of denture services is standard.
You may encounter some limitations on your denture coverage under a standard policy, such as a 6-month to 1-year waiting period as a new patient. Most standard dental policies also have a $1,000 annual limit, which won’t even come close to covering your denture bill.
You may not have coverage for major restorative procedures, like dentures, if you have a low premium or high deductible plan. your best bet is to find a provider early on if dentures are going to be necessary. open enrollment is a great time to make the switch.
types of dental coverage
You can find a wide variety of dental coverage plans. it is normal to feel confused by the variety of options. If you’ve never looked outside of what an employer offers, here’s a quick breakdown of the types of coverage you’ll find on the market.
1. preferred provider organization (ppo)
A ppo plan is insurance combined with a network of dentists who work with your insurance company. your insurance provider and preferred dental providers agree to offer you specific services for fixed fees. you must go to a preferred provider to ensure coverage.
2. dental health maintenance organization (dhmo)
dhmos pays contracted dentists in advance a certain amount each month for each patient assigned to that dentist. dentists must then provide certain contracted services at no or reduced cost to those patients.
The plan generally does not reimburse the dentist or the patient for individual services. You must be treated in a contracted office to receive a benefit.
3. compensation plans or traditional insurance
This type of plan is probably what comes to mind when you think of how insurance works. A dental indemnity plan, also known as traditional insurance, pays claims based on procedures performed. the insurance company usually pays a fixed percentage of your charges.
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Some plans let you choose your own dentist, but others require you visit within a network like a ppo. most plans have a maximum allowance for each procedure.
4. direct refund
the reimbursement is a self-funded plan. You can go to the dentist of your choice. some plans ask you to pay the dentist directly and request reimbursement. other plans pay directly to the dental office. reimbursement plans do not limit services; your limitations depend on the total dollars spent.
5. point of service (pos) plans
Point of Service plans allow you to choose between providers, for a price. will still designate a primary dental office. but you have the option of seeking treatment outside the network. if you do, your reimbursement will be based on a low allowance table and your benefits will be less than if you had in-network service.
6. discount plans or referrals
Discount and referral plans aren’t insurance, but they can still help you manage dental care costs. The discount provider contracts with a group of dental offices and essentially sells you a card that gives you services at a discounted price. you pay the discounted rate when you receive care.
7. exclusive provider organizations (epo)
As the name suggests, exclusive provider organization plans require you to use only participating dentists to receive reimbursement from the plan. these plans strictly limit provider choices and access to care.
8. table or schedule of diet plans
These plans pay a flat dollar amount for each procedure, regardless of actual charges. you are responsible for the difference between what your plan pays and what your dentist charges. Sometimes these plans are combined with a PPO so that dentists receive a maximum amount that can be charged to patients.
average cost of dental insurance that covers dentures
An individual dental policy averages $350 per year. you can pay $500 or more for a family. discount dental plans are about half that cost or even less. Typically, you’ll pay your dental insurance premium monthly, while a discount plan is an annual payment.
Many dental plans have an annual reimbursement cap: $1,000 to $1,500 is typical. dental discount plans are generally not capped.
The cheapest dentures cost between $400 and $1,000 per plate (upper or lower jaw) and custom dentures cost at least $2,500 per plate.
what to look for in a dental insurance provider
Whenever you shop for insurance, pay attention to factors like customer satisfaction and what you’ll end up paying for a premium each month. strike a balance between the two: don’t overpay for services you don’t need, but don’t choose the cheapest provider if it doesn’t meet your individual needs.
The most important requirements for dentures are whether the provider covers dentures and the annual limit on reimbursement. Because annual limits are often much less than the cost of a set of dentures, dental discount or savings plans may be the best route to save on dentures.
find denture coverage today
Whether you’re willing to wait or need help paying for dentures soon, there’s a plan to fit your needs. Dental insurance can provide more comprehensive care over time, but a dental discount plan offers immediate savings with no period and guaranteed acceptance.
check to weigh the benefit of time and savings: enter your zip code to compare dental insurance quotes today.
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