How to Get Dental Implants Covered by Insurance – Overview
Dental implants are beneficial. They can make your smile much more attractive and remedy any problems caused by tooth loss.
However, dental implants are not cheap. Oral implants are among the costliest dental surgeries and can run the bill to thousands of dollars.
Even if your health insurance policy offers extensive coverage, dental implants are often not covered as they are considered cosmetic procedures.
If you are unaware of this, reviewing your existing health insurance policy is highly recommended.
If you are looking to buy a health insurance policy that covers the cost of dental implants, then there are several important things you need to be aware of.
First, Find What Your Insurance Already Covers
The type of health insurance you have will determine the extent of dental care that is covered by it. Several insurance providers offer health insurance whose benefits include dental healthcare but with certain limitations.
On the other hand, buying a comprehensive dental insurance plan is more effective as it offers incredible flexibility and extended coverage.
Some of the most common dental procedures covered by leading health insurance providers include:
- Basic Restorative Care – To fit crowns or for fillings
- Preventive Care – For routine visits to the dentist and professional dental cleaning services
- Oral Surgery – For dental surgical procedures, such as tooth extraction, drainage of bacterial infections, fixing dental implants and tissue biopsy
- Endodontics – For root canal procedures
- Orthodontics – For fixing retainers, aligners, braces and palatal expanders
- Prosthodontics – For installing bridges and dentures
- Periodontics – For root planing, scaling, periodontal surgery, gum grafting and placement of dental implants that have been certified for implant placements
Best Insurance Plans for Dental Implants
Now that you know more about the types of dental treatments that major insurance providers cover, let’s take a look at the top insurance plans for dental implants available to buy:
Best Insurance Plans for Dental Implants
1 – DELTA DENTAL
Delta Dental offers numerous dental policies and services through a nationwide network of supporters.
It is among the oldest and most renowned dental health insurance providers and serves over 80 million Americans today.
The company offers different plans with employer-sponsored dental insurance policies for individuals, retirees, families, and even small businesses.
The company offers many options, such as Direct Dental Plans, HMO and PPO.
These dental plans are designed to offer varying degrees of coverage choices and deductibles to match your specific requirements.
Delta Dental insurance plans offer 100% coverage for routine and preventive dental diagnostic procedures, around 80% of the cost for basic dental procedures, such as extractions, root canals and fillings, while the plan covers around 50% of the total cost for major dental procedures such as bridges, but coverage for dental implants can vary significantly.
Top Features of Delta Dental
- Offers free online quote
- Provides multiple dental insurance plans
- Customizing options to suit your needs
2 – DENALI DENTAL
Denali Dental offers customizable dental health insurance with an annual increase in coverage.
The company offers its services nationwide through an extensive support network. Denali Dental, underwritten by Renaissance Life & Health Insurance Company of America, has an “A” rating for financial strength in AM Best.
The company offers three distinct dental plans – Denali Summit, Denali Peak and Denali Ridge.
The specific premium amount for each plan varies, depending on the company where you buy the insurance plan, your area of residence, and your specific plan.
Top Features of Denali Dental
- Offers a higher level of coverage with continued services
- Offers coverage for major dental procedures in most plans
- Provides customizable dental insurance plans
3 – SPIRIT DENTAL & VISION
Spirit Dental and Vision ranks third on this list owing to its quick coverage initiation and its extensive coverage options.
Spirit Dental & Vision is operated by Direct Benefits Inc., one of the major health insurance providers in the US. The company offers several different types of dental insurance policies.
Spirit Dental and Vision offers plans that include coverage for dental implants and other major dental procedures. However, the extent of coverage, including deductibles, co-pays, and annual maximums, can vary between plans. It’s advisable to carefully examine the plan’s details to understand how dental implants are covered, including any waiting periods that may apply before you can utilize benefits for major dental work.
The company offers dental health plans with premiums starting at US$50 per month and an annual deductible of US$100.
Spirit is most popular for providing prompt insurance coverage, which helps avoid the dreaded waiting period for new policy buyers.
This means buyers are offered dental health insurance benefits when their application is accepted and processed successfully.
Top Features of Spirit Dental & Vision
- Insurance coverage starts immediately and does not have a waiting period
- Free quotes are available online
- Dental implants and major oral care services are covered under insurance plans
4 – CIGNA
Cigna offers two dental insurance plans as a group for employer-sponsored health insurance policies.
If you are an employer seeking affordable yet comprehensive dental care for your employees, you should consider Cigna Dental plans.
To learn specific details of employer-sponsored dental insurance plans from Cigna, we advise contacting the company through the official website and getting an online quote according to your requirements.
Top Features of Cigna Dental
- Reliable insurance provider with excellent financial ratings
- Reputed insurance company
- Top-of-the-shelf group insurance benefits
FAQs
What are the best alternatives to Dental Implants available?
Fortunately, several options are available to substitute a traditional dental implant process. For the best dental implant alternative that suits your needs, it is recommended that you consult with your dentist.
Some of the best alternatives to dental implants are Dental Bridges, Root Canal Therapy, and Partial or Full Mouth Dentures.
Does Medicaid Cover Dental Implants?
Medicaid does not typically provide coverage for dental implant surgery as it is often considered cosmetic. Coverage for any part of the dental implant process under Medicaid is rare and varies by state. If you are under 21 and your condition meets medical necessity criteria under the EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment) benefit, Medicaid may cover dental implants.
Do disabled people have access to any free dental implant programs?
Yes, multiple nonprofit organizations, government organizations, dentistry schools, and neighborhood health centers offer free dental implants for individuals with disabilities. There are several dental loans available as well. However, you must gather detailed knowledge and consult your doctor before applying for a grant.
Conclusion
The above is our selection of the best insurance plans that offer coverage for dental implants.
Experts strongly advise that individuals should have a valid insurance policy that covers the cost of minor and major dental procedures, including dental implants.
Dental Grants by State
See Also
How to get Medicare to pay for dental implants
Dental Implants Clinical Trials
References
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