Supplemental dental insurance
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Poor oral health can be a real problem. Tooth and gum issues have been linked to several serious conditions, ranging from pneumonia to liver disease and stroke. It can even correlate to low self-esteem, anxiety and other mental health issues.1 But the right insurance plan can help ensure you get the oral care you need.
What is supplemental dental insurance?
Supplemental dental insurance is coverage you can purchase to supplement your medical insurance, Medicare coverage, or — if you already have one — your primary dental insurance plan. Supplemental dental plans vary in terms of coverage, with some plans covering preventive care, some covering basic care, and some covering major services such as crowns, braces oral surgery, dental implants and, in some cases, even cosmetic dentistry. Some plans can help fill the gaps left by primary dental insurance plans.
Who needs supplemental dental insurance?
A supplemental dental plan can be helpful for anybody who needs help covering the costs of dental care or wants access to a wider range of dental services:
Individuals whose health insurance doesn’t provide any coverage for dental care.
Those with “basic,” “standard,” or some employer-sponsored dental plans that only cover basic services such as preventive care and fillings.
Medicare Advantage enrollees who want to supplement the basic dental coverage provided by their plan.
Individuals with traditional Medicare who want dental coverage not provided by Medicare.
Individuals or families that anticipate a need for significant dental work not covered by their primary plan. For example, parents who’ve been told that their child will need braces may want to consider a supplemental plan that covers orthodontics.
Parents of adult children. Many supplemental dental insurance plans offer the ability to cover adult children for an extended period, even after they “age out.”
How to choose the right plan
Before you select a supplemental dental insurance plan, consider these key factors:
Services covered: Some supplemental dental insurance plans only cover preventive or basic dental services; others cover major services, such as crowns, bridges, implants, and root canals.
Choice of providers: Does the plan cover both in-network and out-of-network providers? Always check to see if visits to your preferred dentist(s) will be covered.
Annual maximum: Check the annual benefit maximum. Higher maximums provide more coverage for expensive procedures when you need them.
Orthodontics coverage: If you or your dependents need orthodontic work, limit your search to plans that include this coverage.
Cost: Compare the monthly premiums of different plans — as well as the out-of-pocket costs — to ensure that your plan fits your budget.
Waiting periods: Plans that cover major procedures typically have a waiting period before they pay benefits.
Coordination of benefits: If you already have a primary dental plan but want a secondary plan to fill in coverage gaps, you’ll have one more consideration. You’ll want to look for a plan that coordinates well with your primary dental insurance and extends benefits instead of duplicating them.
When you have two plans, one will be considered your primary plan, and the other will be considered a secondary plan. The primary plan pays and provides benefits as normal. Secondary plans determine benefits while considering the benefits already provided by your other plans.
Why people choose Guardian dental plans
Forbes Advisor named Guardian one of the five Best Dental Insurance Companies of 2024, for providing good value.2 Guardian offers dental plans for every need including preventive dental care, basic services, and major services. And, with more than 130,000 providers nationwide, Guardian offers one of the largest networks around, making it easier to find a nearby network dentist. Most plans pay all or most of the cost for checkups and cleanings. Plus, with average network discounts of 42%, the whole family can save on every procedure and treatment – even things like teeth whitening and root canals that aren’t covered in a basic plan.3
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Frequently asked questions about supplemental dental insurance
Like the original Medicare, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans generally do not cover dental care costs unless they are medically necessary as part of a covered procedure. And generally speaking, the Medicare Advantage plans that provide dental benefits offer very basic dental coverage.
Supplemental insurance covers a variety of expenses and situations not covered by your primary insurance. Supplemental dental plans can help fill the gaps left by primary dental insurance plans. For instance, if your primary plan doesn't cover braces but you anticipate that your child may need them, you may want to look for a supplemental plan that covers orthodontics.