Dental Insurance For Seniors

Dental insurance for seniors is an important part of ensuring and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your aging parents.

This article covers:

• Overview
• Advice
• Where Can I Find Insurance Providers?
• How Much Does It Cost?
• What About No Insurance?
• What Are Discount Programs?

Overview

Tooth decay and gum disease are some of the many issues that may occur without regular dental care.

Dental services can be expensive.

• Cleanings: $150-$225
• X-rays: $150-$275
• Fillings: $50-$200
• Root Canals: $800-$1300

Dental insurance covers a portion (or all) of dental related expenses.

There are a variety of dental insurance plans, including:

• Dental Health Maintenance Organization - the individual and dentist are paid on a per person basis rather than per service.
• Indemnity - Individual Dental Insurance - the individual can choose their own dentist and the insurance pays for part (or all) of the dental services.
• Preferred Provider Organizations - the individual can only obtain services from dentists that are approved providers by the insurance company.

Advice

Tips for obtaining the most appropriate dental insurance for seniors:

• Contact the AARP (or similar organization representing seniors/retired people) to see if they have group insurance for their members. It might be worth being a member to be eligible for their insurance plans.
• Contact the dentist or dentists to determine if they accept certain insurance coverage
• Check with the local health authority as some health regions provide subsidized dental care to seniors. Depending on your aging parents needs, it may be more economical to pay for dental care as it is needed.
• Research, compare dental insurance plans and obtain quotes from a variety of insurance providers
• Ask for discounts and additional benefits

Where Can I Find Insurance Providers?

In the USA, the first insurance plans you should check are through AARP. Obtain a quote and then look at other options to see if a better plan is available.

Check the differences between the plans as one may have more expensive monthly premiums but provide more coverage.

To find other insurance providers in the USA that provide dental insurance for seniors, go to the National Association of Dental Plans website. They have a directory of companies that offer dental insurance.

How Much Does It Cost?

Insurance providers and plans vary widely. On average, it should cost approximately $550 per year.

What About No Insurance?

Since dental insurance for seniors can be expensive, some seniors may be better off by paying for services as they are needed.

Some dentists have a discount program for seniors and/or those that pay with cash.

As with most forms of insurance, sometimes it is more economical to insure yourself. Every month put money into a savings account specifically for health and dental services in the future.

That way you have the money available when you need it. It also earns interest as time goes on.

What Are Discount Plans?

Discount plans are more economical than traditional insurance plans.

Plan members have access to a large network of participating dentists that have agreed to offer their services at discounted fees.

Advantages of discount programs:

• No limits
• Little wait period (usually active in 3 days)
• No paperwork or reimbursement forms - it's simply a discount at time of service
• No health restrictions
• Some plans cover dental speciality services such as Orthodontics.