Dental procedures are not cheap but thankfully, dental insurance can help offset some of the out-of-pocket costs. Depending on the plan, dental insurance may cover preventive care, such as cleanings and checkups, as well as major procedures like root canals or orthodontics.
Maintaining good oral health is so important for your overall health. And it can even help reduce the risk of many diseases, such as stroke and heart disease. Plus, regular checkups and cleanings can help limit future costly treatments. If you need dental insurance for your family, here’s a look at 5 of the best dental insurance providers for families.
Best for No Waiting Period: Spirit Dental
Some dental insurance providers have long waiting periods, which is the amount of time you must wait before some or all of your coverage comes into effect. Luckily, one of the major benefits of Spirit Dental, is their family dental insurance plans have no waiting period. You can get next-day coverage for many dental procedures like cleanings, exams, fillings, crowns, and implants.
Another major benefit of choosing Spirit Dental is they cover two exams and three cleanings each year for every family member. They also have coverage for children’s orthodontics, in case your child needs braces in the future. And their annual maximum is up to $5,000.
Finally, with Spirit Dental, accessing dental care is a hassle-free experience. Thanks to their partnership with Ameritas, one of the largest dental networks in the US, finding a nearby dentist won’t be a challenge.
Best for Provider Network: Cigna
Cigna is another great dental insurance provider for families because of its extensive network, comprising over 92,000 dental professionals. In addition to its nationwide network, Cigna also offers 24/7 phone support to answer any questions you may have. Individuals who opt for Cigna’s dental insurance can enjoy copay and deductible-free preventive care services from in-network dentists.
Their low deductible plans can be as low as $20 USD per month with $0- to $50 deductibles. They also offer up to $1,500 in benefits, $0 dental check-ups, and some orthodontic services are available on select plans. If you need more coverage, you can opt for one of their high annual maximum plans which start as low as $24 per month. Deductibles range from $100 to $250, but they offer up to $5,000 in benefits. There is something for every budget!
Best for Preventative Care: Humana
Families looking for a good preventative care plan should consider Humana. Starting at $18 USD per month, families can receive 100-percent coverage for in-network preventive care after the lifetime deductible is met. The one-time lifetime deductible for a family of 3+ is $150. Preventive care includes services like routine oral exams, evaluations, cleanings, X-rays, and topical fluoride treatments.
Other major benefits of this plan are there are no waiting periods or enrollment fees, and there is no annual maximum. Basic services like fillings, extractions, and root removal, as well as emergency care for pain relief, is 50-percent covered when you use in-network providers (and after the lifetime deductible is met) and 30-percent covered if you use out-of-network dentists.
Best Overall: Delta Dental
Delta Dental is the largest dental insurance provider in the USA, with a wide range of plans that cater to families of all sizes. They offer comprehensive coverage for preventive, basic, and major dental procedures, as well as orthodontics. They also have a network of over 150,000 dentists across 330,000 locations.
One plan you should consider is the DeltaCare® USA (HMO), which features no deductibles or annual maximums. You’ll also enjoy that it offers minimal or no copayments for preventive care and there are no waiting periods for covered services. That said, Delta Dental also has a range of other great plans to choose from so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each to find the best one for your family’s needs and preferences.
Best Place to Shop for Discounts: Dentalplans.com
DentalPlans.com is a convenient online marketplace that allows you to easily compare plans and discounts. The platform offers savings plans from reputable insurers and companies like Aetna, Humana, and Delta Dental. With a savings plan card, you can enjoy discounts of up to 60-percent on your dental care. To get started, follow these simple steps:
- Visit the DentalPlans.com website and browse through the various savings plans available.
- After narrowing down your options, select the savings plan that best suits your needs.
- Find a participating dental provider in your area and schedule an appointment.
- At the time of service, present your savings plan card and pay the discounted fee.
By using Dentalplans.com, you can save money on your dental care and get the treatment you need without breaking the bank.
What Is the Average Cost for Family Dental Insurance?
Family dental insurance typically ranges between $25 to $50 USD per month. However, the exact premium amount may vary depending on several factors such as the type of plan, covered services, deductible, and annual maximum.
It’s crucial to make timely premium payments every month to keep your coverage active. Additionally, similar to any insurance policy, there may be additional out-of-pocket costs, including:
- Deductible: You will need to pay a specific amount before the plan covers the cost of treatment related to services that are not fully covered.
- Copayments: Copayments refer to the fixed amount you must pay to receive select services.
- Coinsurance: The coinsurance amount is the percentage of the service fee that you need to pay to receive treatment. For example, if the cost of a major service is $1200, and the coinsurance is 80:20, you will need to pay $240, while the insurance provider will cover the remaining $960.
