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As we age, regular dental care becomes increasingly important. Unfortunately, finding the right dental insurance coverage as a senior on a fixed budget can be a challenging task. One issue that is often of particular concern is “waiting periods.”
Waiting periods in dental insurance are the predetermined periods of time during which new policy holders must wait before certain dental treatments or services are covered. Basic dental procedures like fillings, simple extractions, and non-surgical periodontal treatments may range from a few weeks to a few months. The waiting period for major dental procedures, such as root canals, crowns, bridges, and dentures can range from several months to a year.
Finding the best dental insurance without waiting periods
No one wants to wait months to get the dental care they need. Decay and gum infections are painful. Over time, these issues become more complicated and expensive to treat. And oral diseases are increasingly being linked to health issues that include heart and lung diseases, diabetes, stroke, and premature births. Malnutrition is another concern, it’s difficult to eat healthy foods when you have oral health issues. Regular dental care and being able to access treatment whenever you need it, is essential to overall health and quality of life.
As a senior, your options to get affordable dental care without waiting include:
Insurance waiting period deferrals
If you have consistently had dental insurance for at least a year or so and were covered within a month prior to purchasing new insurance, the waiting period may be waived. It’s always best to check with your insurance broker or plan provider to understand any waiting periods and/or waivers that may apply.
Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) insurance
This type of dental insurance typically does not have waiting periods. The tradeoff: you must have a primary care dentist that is in the insurance’s network and get a referral to see a specialist. DHMO plans may also restrict when and how often you can get certain types of dental procedures. Check the “Limitations and Exclusions” section of the policy prior to purchasing for information on restrictions. Make sure the treatments you need are included, a plan that provides only preventive care does not cover crowns, root canals, dentures, bridges and other restorative care. You will typically pay less out of pocket with a DHMO plan.
Dental Preferred Provider Network (DPPO) Plans
It’s unusual to find DPPO plans without waiting periods, but some do exist. Check with a private insurance broker or, if you are getting dental insurance through Medicare Advantage, check plan details closely. Be aware that no waiting period DPPO plans may have higher coinsurance rates (the part you pay out of pocket for dental care). No waiting plans may also offer graduated coverage, which means that certain types of treatments such as root canals and crowns are covered at up to 25% in the first 12 months, and then 50% in the second year. Or the no waiting period may apply only to preventive and basic care. Read all the policy details carefully to understand the limitations and benefits. With a PPO plan, you can see any dentist, though you’ll save the most if the dentist is in your plan’s network.
Dental savings plans
These plans are an alternative to dental insurance that can save you money on most dental procedures, at thousands of dentists and specialists nationwide. Dental savings plan members report average savings of about 50%* on their dental costs.
While dental insurance typically has waiting periods and annual spending caps, dental savings plans do not. They activate in 1-3 business days with emergency, same-day activation available on most plans, as well. Many plans also provide savings on treatments that dental insurance rarely covers, such as dental implants and cosmetic dental care.
Dental savings plans can be used if you are on Original Medicare to help you access dental care, which isn’t covered by Medicare. And for those with Medicare Advantage, a dental savings plan can help you save after your coverage is maxed out. Speak to your dentist about how to maximize your savings with both plans.
Need help figuring out which plan meets your needs? DentalPlans.com, the largest dental savings plan marketplace, can help. With more than 25 plans from trusted brands in healthcare, and the best customer service team in the business, we make it easy to find a plan that fits your specific needs. Call us at 1-833-735-0399 with any questions or to receive a personalized plan recommendation. You can also answer a few quick questions here for a quick overview of your options.
*Discount Health Program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan.
