Guide to Open Enrollment for Dental Insurance

Each year, open enrollment gives you the chance to review your health, dental and vision insurance options—whether through work, the ACA Marketplace, Medicare or Medicare Advantage. 

Important: Spirit Dental offers standalone dental insurance plans. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or part of Medicare, Medicare Advantage or the ACA Marketplace. Our plans can be purchased separately to help you get the dental coverage you need, no matter what health insurance you choose. You can also buy Spirit Dental any time of year.

Open enrollment 2025-26 dates to know

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15, 2025 – December 7, 2025

ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment: November 1, 2025 – December 15, 2025

Medicare Advantage Enrollment Period: January 1, 2026 – March 31, 2026. 

If you live in a state that has its own health insurance exchange, it’s important to confirm when open enrollment will take place, as the dates might be different. For example, you might live in a state where the deadline to sign up is in December or you might have until the end of January. 

For official information on Medicare plans and coverage, you can visit Medicare.gov. For ACA Marketplace details, visit HealthCare.gov.

What can you do during open enrollment?

Open enrollment is your opportunity to review, switch or renew your health, dental or vision coverage plan. If you’re uninsured and not eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, now is the time to secure coverage. If you already have a plan but aren’t satisfied, you can explore new options. For those receiving subsidies, it’s important to update your financial details to ensure your assistance is accurate.

What does dental insurance have to do with open enrollment?

Many shoppers use open enrollment to find both health and dental coverage, especially if their employer or Medicare plan doesn’t meet their needs. However, dental plans aren’t limited by open enrollment deadlines—Spirit Dental offers year-round enrollment. Whether you need individual coverage or a family plan, you can compare options online or enroll directly through Spirit at any time. This flexibility means you never have to feel rushed during open enrollment.

Why choosing a standalone dental plan during open enrollment can make a lot of sense

Spirit Dental is here to help fill your dental care needs. When it comes to dental insurance for open enrollment, you’ll have 3 main options to research: 

• Bundled dental plan with your health plan found on the Marketplace or with Medicare Advantage
• Choosing a standalone dental plan not attached to your health plan
• You can also purchase a secondary dental plan to supplement your primary dental plan

A dental plan within the Marketplace or MA is great for convenience and potential bundled savings. However, you could be missing out on better benefits with standalone plans.

Benefits of choosing a standalone dental plan

• More options for types of plans and services covered
• Potential for better comprehensive coverage that gives you more savings on out-of-pocket expenses
• Greater flexibility to choose your preferred provider
• Buy dental insurance any time of the year
• If your health coverage changes or drops, there's a chance you might lose dental benefits

The best option for you depends on which plan meets your unique needs. 

Spirit Dental makes it easy to get affordable dental care

At Spirit Dental & Vision, we believe taking care of your smile should be easy and affordable:

• No waiting periods—see your dentist as early as tomorrow, from preventive cleanings to dental implants
• Vast network—thousands of dentists participating in the Ameritas PPO network
• Network savings—reduced costs for services up to 50%
• High annual maximums—up to $5,000 annual max benefits
• Lifetime deductible—only pay your deductible once and enjoy yearly savings after
• Bundle dental and vision for only $7/individuals, $20 for families (for most states)
• Guaranteed acceptance—and a 30-day guarantee

Need additional help finding the right dental plan for your situation? Give us a call, and we’ll make it easy choosing a plan that works for you: (844) 833-8440.

Frequently asked questions about open enrollment with Spirit Dental

Are there advantages in choosing Spirit Dental with Medicare? 

Absolutely! After you purchase your health insurance plan, hop over to Spirit Dental and purchase your standalone dental plan in minutes! Our dental plans are priced competitively with all insurance carriers, even those connected with Medicare Advantage. Plus, Spirit Dental offers the complete package of dental, hearing and an option for vision, with the Preferred plan. No age requirements are included.

How does Spirit Dental look for a retiree? 

Now faced with a fixed income, there are two main reasons to trust Spirit Dental: 1) With 100% preventive covered annually (up to 3x with most plans), you'll save money by keeping your teeth in tip-top shape. 2) With our loyalty plans, you'll have access to a $5,000 annual max starting in year 3, helping to cover more expensive needs if they come up down the road. 

Is Spirit Dental right for you as a young adult? 

Coming off your parent's plan for the first time can feel daunting at first. But, Spirit Dental makes it easy to purchase dental insurance that makes sense for you. With no waiting periods on all dental services, you can purchase a dental plan today (with strong benefits) and see your dentist tomorrow.

Can Spirit Dental help with family needs?  

Spirit Dental plans provide versatility in addressing your family's needs. With Spirit Core, you'll have access to child orthodontia at our lowest price with a $1,200 annual max. With Spirit Pinnacle, fillings fall into the basic category providing you with additional coverage (50% coinsurance), while also having the orthodontia benefits.