topic Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans? in Among Friends

Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

BunSnoop — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:05:39 GMT

I hope to retire next year. I currently have dental coverage through my employer. When I retire, I will no longer have that coverage.

Went to the dentist this a.m. and asked the woman that does billing...what do most of the patient's do when they lose their dental coverage......do they pay everything on their own, or do they go with an insurance plan?

She said it's a difficult situation. She said some people go without dental insurance and put the amount that they may have paid for a dental premium in a separate savings account that is just for dental expenses.

She said you also have to keep in mind you're dental history - do you have fairly good teeth/gums and occasionally need to have some dental work done, or do you have a dental history the includes many issues?

She mentioned some patients have Physician's Mutual. She did not mention if it was expensive, and if it provided good coverage. She suggested I look into a few companies, and then let her know and she can let me know what type of experience they've had with that particular company.

If you're retired and paying for dental insurance, are you satisfied with the coverage and approximately what do you pay a year?

Thank you!!!!

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

ladyfox412 — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:13:53 GMT

We have had 2 different carriers. Both had a $1500 cap. I think it should be your choice to use that $1500 toward any one procedure, but you can't. We'd end up owing the dentist but still have part of the $1500 left at the end of the year. Personally I do not think dental insurance is worth it. Our dentist gives a discount for cash payments. It's been cheaper in the long run.

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

Puppy Lips — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:16:33 GMT

I am not retired yet. We had dental insurance for years through our small company that we own (family only). One day I sat down and did all the calculations. The amount we were paying monthly in dental insurance premiums, totaled, for the year, almost exactly what we would pay if we paid for two cleanings per person each year, without any insurance at all. So really, it was a wash. Now if extra things were needed, that was a different story.

Long story short, the insurance company did something that p1ssed me off, so I cancelled it (long story.) I ended up getting a dental discount plan. I pay a yearly fee for the discount plan, ~ $100 or so, and then get a discount for services. I had to look for a dentist who takes that plan, but found two close by. That plan saves me more money that the cost of it. Good luck with your decision.

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

henderson — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:17:24 GMT

Will you be on Medicare? I have a Medicare Advantage plan which includes dental; free cleaning, free crowns and other benefits.

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

patbz — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:17:25 GMT

We have never had dental coverage ( my teeth are great, DH's the opposite). Since we retired 15 years ago DH has had many very expensive procedures (around $50,000). We've paid as we go and used Care Credit, ( interest free for upto 2 years) and, for us, its been doable.

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

SeaMaiden — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:25:30 GMT

DH and I have Delta Dental. It is $120 a month for coverage for both of us. It is the best plan they have yet..... yesterday, I had a crown replaced and payed out of pocket $550. They covered about half. Cleanings are payed in full...I get 3 cleanings a year....they cover most X-rays... I am not really sure if in the long run it is worth it or not.... my teeth have a lot of ISSUES....my husband has the "good" teeth....

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

SeaMaiden — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:29:02 GMT

@henderson wrote:
Will you be on Medicare? I have a Medicare Advantage plan which includes dental; free cleaning, free crowns and other benefits.

@henderson How much do you pay for this advantage plan?

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

BunSnoop — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:44:46 GMT

Hi @henderson, we're thinking of getting the Medicare Traditional Plan rather than the Medicare Advantage Plan. I do not believe dental is covered under the Traditional Plan.

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

BirkiLady — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:49:31 GMT

I always had dental insurance when working. Ran the figures and decided it is a rip-off to take out personal dental insurance. I pay as I go and deduct it from my income tax. Works very well for me!

BTW: I have the traditional Medicare plan + a supplement & Part D. Sure, it's expensive. But it's my health! Why would I use an inexpensive insurance for a long-term coverage that may be very expensive in later years? Not taking that risk!

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

ECBG — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:48:52 GMT

We have dental through Met Life since I taught for the state.

I might suggest you look at AARP which is a strong group of retired people. They will likely offer health plans at a good rate to members since numbers is a major bargaining chip for low rates.

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

BunSnoop — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:48:53 GMT

@SeaMaiden, thank you very much for the details about Delta Dental. It gives me an idea of what the cost would be for both myself and my husband. I'll have to go to their website and check it out. It use to be I had the good teeth and my husband not so great, but I've recently been the "bad" one with cavities and needing crowns. Ugh!

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

BunSnoop — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:50:59 GMT

@ECBG , thank you for the AARP suggestion. I'll do a little "investigating" on their web-site. Thank you!

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

ECBG — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 18:52:58 GMT

@BunSnoop wrote:
@ECBG , thank you for the AARP suggestion. I'll do a little "investigating" on their web-site. Thank you!

@BunSnoop

I taught a senior class on Lifeskills which went into life planning. Insurance was one thing I covered quite deeply.

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

Effie54 — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 19:34:31 GMT

@BunSnoop wrote:
Hi @henderson, we're thinking of getting the Medicare Traditional Plan rather than the Medicare Advantage Plan. I do not believe dental is covered under the Traditional Plan.

We have traditional Medicare, because in our area, the advantage plan is not very good. Once you get sick, there's no advantage to it. The dental does not come with the original Medicare plan. It's extra, and many dentists just don't take it. What we do is buy the plan from our dentist which includes two cleanings, exams, x-rays, and an emergency visit for one set price.

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

geezerette — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 19:44:39 GMT

@Effie54 wrote:
@BunSnoop wrote:
Hi @henderson, we're thinking of getting the Medicare Traditional Plan rather than the Medicare Advantage Plan. I do not believe dental is covered under the Traditional Plan.
We have traditional Medicare, because in our area, the advantage plan is not very good. Once you get sick, there's no advantage to it. The dental does not come with the original Medicare plan. It's extra, and many dentists just don't take it. What we do is buy the plan from our dentist which includes two cleanings, exams, x-rays, and an emergency visit for one set price.

@Effie54

That's what I do too. Mine also includes a discount for any work done above and beyond that, and an additional discount if you pay in full at the time the work is completed instead of installments.

I priced it out and for what I would have to pay for private dental insurance and what it would cover vs. what my dentist offers, it came out about the same. I chose to go with my dentist's plan.

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

kaydee50 — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 19:46:58 GMT

I had Humana for a couple of years, $23/year at that time. I probably broke out even on the premiums and cost of care since my dentist gives discounts for seniors.

Switched to a Medicare Advantage plan with United Healtcare. I pay $38/month and that includes medical, dental, vision. Getting old has some advantages--LOL!!!

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

RedTop — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 20:02:46 GMT

I Cobra'd my vision and dental insurance when I retired.

My purpose with holding onto the vision insurance was because I was due for new glasses farther into my first year of retirement, so the insurance covered the majority of that big expense. The paltry amount I paid monthly to keep the insurance was a drop in the bucket towards the new glasses.

I chose Delta Dentals top plan as well, which costs about $35 a month now. I've been retired 9 1/2 years now, and have no complaints with this coverage.

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

pupwhipped — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 20:50:12 GMT

The only thing I will say is investigate and be very clear on what the dental insurance plan will and will not cover.

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

Kachina624 — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 21:41:02 GMT

@BunSnoop wrote:
Hi @henderson, we're thinking of getting the Medicare Traditional Plan rather than the Medicare Advantage Plan. I do not believe dental is covered under the Traditional Plan.

@BunSnoop Its not covered under most Advantage Plans either. It would make insurance prohibitively expensive.

Most dental plans have about the same benefits and coverage, and don't pay nearly enough to cover the more expensive procedures. If they did, the insurance companies would lose money

Re: Any Good Dental Insurance Plans?

Winkk — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 22:35:19 GMT

I do not have dental insurance. Every plan I looked at requires that I have to go to one of their dentists in the plan. I have been going to the same one for at least 30 years and he isn't in any plans.