So you’ve decided to sign up for a dental insurance plan to supplement your health plan. You’ve likely already noticed that you have a lot of options, and even if you feel more than ready to sign up for a plan and catch up on your dental care, take a breath and do your research first. This is because many dental insurance plans have a waiting period. Show
If you need dental work right away, it pays to choose a dental plan with no waiting period. What is a dental plan waiting period?A dental plan waiting period is a certain amount of time you must wait before you can receive coverage for some or all of the care your new plan covers. Waiting period durations can be anywhere from 30 days to over a year, and each will vary according to your individual plan. The waiting period will often be shorter for basic services (like fillings and nonsurgical extractions), and longer for major services (like root canals, crowns or bridges). Most plans have no waiting period for preventive care. This type of care includes services like routine cleanings, exams, X-rays and fluoride treatments. Why dental plans have waiting periodsWaiting periods prevent people from signing up for a plan, getting coverage for a necessary procedure and then dropping coverage. Insurance companies also claim that the waiting period provisions help keep premiums lower for everyone. How to find the best dental insurance with no waiting periodMany insurance companies offer at least one dental plan with no waiting period. But you still must choose carefully, as some plans focus on preventive and basic care (like the Preventative Value and Bright Plus plans listed below) and don’t include any coverage at all for major services. Technically, that means you don’t have to wait to get major work if you need it, but the flip side is that since that care isn’t covered, you’re solely responsible for paying for it. Humana dental insurance with no waiting periodAs one of the largest insurers in the United States, Humana’s dental plans don’t disappoint, especially if you’re wanting dental care ASAP. Humana currently offers seven dental plans: one HMO, five PPOs and one discount plan (which technically isn’t insurance). Out of those plans, four have no waiting period: Plan name Plan type Deductible Annual maximum benefit Routine cleanings and X-rays Dental Value HMO None None 100% covered (in network) Preventative Value PPO $50 (lifetime) None 100% covered (in network) Loyalty Plus PPO $150 (one time) $1,000-$1,500 Cleanings: 100% covered
X-rays: 40%–70% covered Dental Savings Plus Discount N/A N/A 20%–40% discount Humana’s three other dental insurance plans have no waiting period for preventive services, including routine cleanings, exams and X-rays. However, the waiting periods vary for other services: Plan name Plan type Waiting period Deductible Annual maximum benefit Routine cleanings and X-rays Complete Dental PPO Preventive: None
Basic: 6 months
Major: 12 months $0-$50 $1,250-$1,500 100% covered Bright Plus PPO Preventive: None
Basic: 90 days
Major: Not covered $150 $1,250 100% covered Bright Plus for Veterans PPO Preventive: None
Basic: 90 days
Major: Not covered $150 $1,250 100% covered Call Now 1-844-222-3303 Shop Plans Spirit dental insurance with no waiting periodSpirit Dental is another company that offers a variety of plans with no waiting period for preventive, basic or major services. An additional benefit is that you can use any dentist you like, and the coverage will be the same. This means that there are no networks you need to worry about. Plus, some of the plans include orthodontics for children, which will save you money if you have a family. On the downside, the monthly premiums are pricey compared to other dental insurers. Plan name Premium Deductible Annual maximum Preventive care Basic care Major care Network 1200 $35.85 $100 $1,200 100% Year 1: 50%
Year 2: 65%
Year 3: 80% Year 1: 25%
Year 2: 50%
Year 3: 50% Choice 1200 $54.29 $100 $1,200 100% Year 1: 50%
Year 2: 65%
Year 3: 80% Year 1: 25%
Year 2: 50%
Year 3: 50% Network 3500 $51.07 $100 $3,500 100% Year 1: 65%
Year 2: 80%
Year 3: 90% Year 1: 10%
Year 2: 50%
Year 3: 65% Choice 3500 $81.70 $100 $3,500 100% Year 1: 65%
Year 2: 80%
Year 3: 90% Year 1: 10%
Year 2: 25%
Year 3: 50% Other dental insurance with no waiting periodWhile Humana and Spirit Dental probably have the most plans with no waiting period, you should still do your own research and compare companies. Here are a few other insurance companies that offer dental plans with no waiting period for preventive, basic or major dental work: Insurance company Plan name Deductible Annual maximum benefit Preventive care Basic care Major care UnitedHealthcare Premier Plus Dental $50 $2,000 100% Day 1: 35%
Year 1: 65%
Year 2: 80% Day 1: 10%
Year 1: 40%
Year 2: 50% UnitedHealthcare Premier Choice Dental $50 $1,500 100% Day 1: 50%
Year 1: 65%
Year 2: 80% Day 1: 10%
Year 1: 40%
Year 2: 50% Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental Blue PPO Preventive Plan $0–$250 $5,000 100% Plan covers at least 30% Plan covers at least 30% Why an insurance company might waive your waiting periodIf you already have dental coverage and are simply looking for a new plan, there may be good news. Some plans will waive waiting periods in certain situations. For example, Humana will waive the waiting period for its Complete Dental plan if you can provide proof of your having dental insurance for the previous 12 months. You already know that preventive dental care is the best and most cost-effective way to keep your teeth healthy, but it’s also a fact that nearly everyone will need either basic or major dental work at some point. If you’re looking for a dental plan and already know you need work done, it makes the most financial sense to opt for a plan with no waiting period. How can I get around my dental waiting period?There are some instances where you might be able to waive a waiting period for a dental plan. If you had an employer-based policy with an insurer, but no longer work for that employer, that same insurer might waive a waiting period if you sign up for one of their stand-alone dental plans.
What is the best full coverage dental insurance?Best Dental Insurance Companies of 2022. Best Overall: Cigna.. Runner-Up, Best Overall: Renaissance Dental.. Best for No Waiting Periods: Spirit Dental.. Best Value: Humana Dental Insurance.. Best for Families: UnitedHealthOne Dental Insurance.. Best for Seniors: Physicians Mutual.. Best for Orthodontics: Delta Dental.. Does Aflac have a waiting period?It's important to note that if you choose Aflac's dental insurance, there may not be a waiting period for routine or preventative care. However, you may have to wait a few months for more invasive treatments and procedures. We recommend you speak to an insurance agent to clarify the terms in each plan.
Who is the largest dental insurance company?Largest dental plan providers. |