Best Providers of Dental Insurance For Elderly 2021

The dental insurance for elderly people is just the same as the regular dental insurance plans. However, dental insurance for seniors focuses on coverage options that seniors need. If you are a senior, it would always be better to have your dental issues checked by a dentist to ensure that you enjoy your life to the fullest. After all, old age should not stop you from enjoying your meals and having a perfect smile.

Importance of Dental Insurance for Seniors

So why do you need to get a dental insurance plan? The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research stated that about 16% of seniors in the US have poor oral health. In addition, 28% of people of Medicare age have not visited their dentists in the last five years.

One of the leading reasons why seniors don’t go to the dentist is the lack of money. Most of them spend their money on drug maintenance, food, and essential things, putting their oral health as the last priority. This is the reason why dental insurance plans for the elderly are needed, so they can still take care of their dental health without worrying too much about money.

Dental Coverage of Plans for Seniors

Since the elderly are more in need of restorative services, often, the coverage of the insurance plans for seniors would include:

root canals
tooth replacement
dentures
crowns
x-rays

Dental Insurance Plans for The Elderly

For your reference, we narrowed down the best dental insurance providers, waiting periods, covered dental care services, and the pros and cons of each health insurance.

Cigna

Cigna is an insurance company that has been in the business for more than 225 years. If you are looking for the best insurance company for preventive care, this is probably suitable. They offer three different plans, including the most affordable dental plan, the Cigna Dental Preventive. Next is the Cigna Dental 1000, which is about $30 per month, and the Cigna Dental 1500, for $35 per month. The waiting period for basic services is six months and 12 months for major services.

Pros:

Three dental health insurance options
Prompt coverage for preventive and diagnostic care
Online app to manage claims
24/7 customer service

Cons:

basic dental plans cover preventive services only
maximum benefit is at $1500 only

Aflac

Aflac is a trusted insurance company offering dental plans for seniors since 1955. Their waiting period would depend on the dental service category of the patient. There will be no waiting period for x-rays and dental wellness procedures.

Furthermore, the maximum annual plans may vary, but they could go as high as $1600. What’s better is that Aflac pays the claims to you and not to the dentist who opens up a national network of dentists for convenience.

Pros:

You can choose any dentist
No deductibles
You can claim directly
Lesser complaints vs. other life insurance companies

Cons:

Not available in all states
Services like tooth replacement are not included
The type of coverage will depend on the benefit schedule
No coverage outside America

Delta Dental

Delta Dental insurance company is the leading dental insurance provider in the US. Its insurance coverage is available in all states and serves more than 80 million US citizens. There will be no waiting period for DeltaCare USA Plan, PPO Plans A and B. 6 months waiting for Plan A bleaching and one year waiting for restorative work.

Pros:

100% acceptance for AARP members
no deductible plans are available
affordable
with copay options with DeltaCare USA plan

Cons:

maximum of $1500 on PPO plans per year
out of network services are costly

Seniors on Medicare

Seniors are encouraged to prioritize their dental and oral health as the mouth is the key to overall health. If you have concerns about the health of your teeth and gums, it’s essential to get it checked by a dentist immediately.

Original Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental procedures. However, it may cover dental services connected with dental surgery or emergency care. Members with existing dental plans can add a separate dental insurance plan or enroll in medicare advantage plans. In addition, apart from dental work for seniors, a medicare advantage plan also offers hearing and vision insurance. Meanwhile, here are some of the insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans.

Aetna
Humana
UnitedHealthcare
Kaiser Permanente
Wellcare
Cigna

Changing your Coverage

Every year, Medicare plans are changing their costs and their coverage for the new calendar year. Members are advised to review their insurance policies and their insurance coverage to compare with the new ones. Doing so will help them determine if they need to make any changes to their existing policy. Plus, reviewing your policy would also ensure that you get the best possible coverage according to your needs.

Apart from getting dental insurance for seniors, it would also be helpful to prioritize your dental hygiene. Be sure to go to StLeonardsDental.com.au today to know the benefits of keeping your oral health in check. Visiting the dentist can be pretty costly, and that is why it’s crucial to have yourself covered by an insurance company.