The Best Dental Plan for Medicare Might Be Standalone
Updated November 2024
Prioritizing your health — including oral health — gets only more important with age.
Dental insurance doesn’t just help you maintain a healthy smile; it also reduces the stress of unexpected care costs. Seniors on Medicare may believe dental is included in their policy, but chances are they have less coverage than they expect — or even none at all.
Standalone dental plans are add-on plans that ensure you aren’t stuck paying hefty bills for preventative, basic, and major dental services. Keep reading to learn more.
Access your free dental insurance open enrollment guide
Open enrollment is in full swing, and it's the perfect time to research your options to find the best dental plan. Our Dental Insurance Open Enrollment Guide for Medicare shoppers covers everything from types of dental insurance plans to dental procedure costs and more.
Selecting the right plan
Most seniors qualify for Medicare, but not all Medicare policies cover dental services. Medicare Part A only provides coverage for care deemed medically-necessary. Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, includes dental coverage, but this may come with an extra fee. The level of coverage you’ll get from Medicare Advantage varies.
Standalone dental insurance is a separate plan that has its own monthly premium. By taking this route, you have access to a broad range of policies and can choose the one that offers the right amount of coverage at an affordable price.
Evaluate your needs
Since you’ve got dozens of options in terms of carriers and specific policies, it’s important to put some thought into selecting your standalone plan. First and foremost, think about your current oral health condition and what may be required in the foreseeable future. The whole purpose of enrolling in a plan is to save money on care, so check that procedures and treatments you may need will be covered.
Additionally, weigh the cost of available plans against your budget. Remember that beyond preventative care, your plan’s cost includes more than just a monthly premium. You’ll likely have a deductible, copay, co-insurance, and an annual maximum — all of which have an impact on how much you’ll pay for your policy as well as for dental services.
Finally, compare coverage details. While preventative care is fully covered by most dental insurance, whether basic and major restorative treatments are covered — and how much is covered — varies greatly across carriers and plans. Many policies also have a six or 12 month waiting period, meaning coverage won’t kick in until then.
How much do full coverage standalone plans cost?
A full coverage dental plan, depending on where you live among other factors, can cost anywhere between $25 and $80 per month.
Keep in mind that comprehensive coverage doesn’t mean every dental service will be covered in full by your plan. Instead, it means you’ve got some level of coverage on a broader array of services. It’s critical to look at your plan details to ensure your coverage fits what you’re looking for.
While insurance costs might seem steep, consider how much you’ll have to pay for unexpected treatments out of pocket. More often than not, the investment in dental insurance is worth it for seniors.
Get an immediate full coverage standalone dental plan with Spirit
Find affordable coverage from Spirit Dental & Vision. With no waiting periods, high annual maximums, and a variety of plans offering different levels of coverage, you’re sure to find the standalone plan that fits your needs.