Guide to Open Enrollment for Dental Insurance

Open enrollment is a specific period each year when you can sign up, renew or make changes to your health, dental and vision insurance plans. 

Open enrollment occurs in a few ways:

• Companies have an internal open enrollment period for employees
• Retirees purchase Medicare plans during this time
• Individuals shopping insurance on the individual market (ACA)
• People looking for secondary dental plans to supplement their existing plan

Need help choosing the right dental plan? Access your free guide

Open enrollment dates to know

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15, 2024 – December 7, 2024.

Individual ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment: November 1, 2024 – December 15, 2024.

Medicare Advantage Enrollment Period: January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025. 

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. 

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.

Choosing a standalone dental plan during open enrollment makes a lot of sense

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
• Better comprehensive coverage 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, you won't lose your 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 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 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.