Is Delta Dental Good Insurance for Seniors?
We value Delta Dental insurance for its transparency in service costs. They offer a cost estimator that conveniently provides an estimate of potential dental expenses before you undergo services.
With Delta Dental, you usually get two preventive visits a year, like routine cleanings and checkups, without waiting periods.
While Delta Dental may cover up to 80% of basic services, there is a six-month waiting period. The average cost for an individual Delta Dental Premier plan is approximately $50.
To get a full picture of what Delta Dental offers, I’ll compare it to Ameritas, another popular dental insurance provider, considering factors like coverage, cost, and waiting periods.
Let’s take a closer look at what Delta Dental has to offer.
Delta Dental Insurance: Pros + Cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive coverage with a $2,000 annual maximum payout.
- Preventive care is covered at 100%, basic care at 80%, and major care at 50%.
- Orthodontic treatments are also covered at 50% for children and adults.
- Coverage is available nationwide.
- High ratings through AM Best and the BBB.
Cons:
- Delta Dental charges a $10 enrollment fee, unlike most competitors who do not have an enrollment fee.
- Some procedures may have limitations or exclusions. Be sure to verify if your preferred dentist is included.
- High annual maximum payouts provide extensive coverage but may come with higher premiums. For minimal dental care, the cost might outweigh the benefits.
- 6-month waiting period for basic care and a 1-year waiting period for major care.
Our Thoughts:
Delta Dental is known for offering some of the best plans on the market.
While the extensive range of options and high coverage limits appeal to potential customers, be mindful that the premiums can sometimes be higher than those of other providers.
Additionally, the long waiting periods for basic and major care can be a drawback for seniors requiring immediate dental attention.
Delta Dental Plan Options
Delta Dental offers the below dental insurance and discount plans:
- Delta Dental PPO: This basic PPO option features lower premiums but has a more limited provider network, reduced annual maximums, and constrained coverage.
- Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier: This premium PPO plan offers access to a broader network of providers. This expansion helps mitigate the costs associated with out-of-network care and provides significantly greater coverage than the standard PPO.
- Delta Dental Premier: This managed fee-for-service plan has the most extensive network of providers. Participating dentists agree to specific fees for covered services, so your dental costs are more predictable.
- DeltaCare USA (HMO): Delta Dental’s HMO plan covers preventive care and requires members to choose from its network of providers for all care.
- Delta Dental Patient Direct: This discount plan is not traditional dental insurance. It offers reduced fees for services when visiting participating dentists.
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Important to note:
While HMO plans may offer lower premiums, PPO plans might be more cost-effective for those with significant dental care needs.
Evaluating Delta Dental for Seniors
One thing we appreciate about Delta Dental is that they are transparent about service costs. Their Dental Care Cost Estimator conveniently provides you with an estimate of potential costs before you receive services.
Let’s look at some more perks with Delta Dental.
Preventive Care Coverage
With Delta Dental, members typically have access to two preventive sessions annually, including routine cleanings and checkups, without waiting periods.
Tip: Certain medications can increase susceptibility to dental caries and periodontal diseases, so be sure to inform your dentist about any medications you take so they can monitor you properly.
Basic and Major Services
Delta Dental covers a wide range of dental procedures, including:
- Routine cleanings
- Dentures
- Periodontal cleaning
- Scaling and root planing
- Gum tissue grafts
Delta Dental offers potential savings of up to 80% on basic and major dental services.
Waiting Periods and Exclusions
I want you to be aware that certain services under Delta Dental may have waiting periods. For instance, restorative services like fillings and non-surgical extractions may have a 6-12 month waiting period, while major services like crowns, bridges, and dentures typically have a standard 12-month waiting period.
However, Delta Dental offers graduated benefits, where coverage for select services may start from 10% – 25% in the first year and increase to 25% – 50% in subsequent years, up to the annual maximum.
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How Much Does a Dental Plan Cost?
The average cost for a one-person Delta Dental Premier plan is around $50.
Comparing Delta Dental to Ameritas Dental
When evaluating dental insurance options, we should directly compare the offerings of other leading providers – like Ameritas Dental.
Here’s a brief overview of how these two stack up against one another:
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Ameritas Dental:
- Waiting Periods: None for most services.
- Vision & Hearing: Offers plans that can include vision and hearing benefits alongside dental coverage.
- Preventative Coverage: Covered at 100% with no waiting period, including up to three exams and cleanings per year.
- Basic Services Covered: 65%-90% coverage right away, without any waiting period.
- Major Services Covered: Begins at 20%-50% coverage with no waiting period.
- Orthodontia: Available for children, with some plans covering it.
- Teeth Whitening: Covered under some Ameritas plans.
- Annual Maximums: Ranges from $1,500 to $3,000, which is relatively high.
- Increasing Benefits: Yes, some Ameritas plans offer increasing benefits over time, enhancing the value of the plan the longer you retain it.
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Delta Dental:
- Waiting Periods: None for preventative services.
- Vision & Hearing: No coverage for vision and hearing.
- Preventative Coverage: 100% covered with no waiting period, limited to two yearly exams and cleanings.
- Basic Services Covered: Up to 80%, but with a waiting period of 6 months.
- Major Services Covered: 50% coverage after a 12-month waiting period.
- Orthodontia: Yes, but will vary by plan.
- Teeth Whitening: Coverage varies by plan.
- Annual Maximums: Ranges between $1,000 and $2,000, which can be less than what Ameritas offers.
Ameritas Dental offers more immediate benefits, with no waiting periods for most services, higher coverage percentages from the start, and additional benefits for vision and hearing in some plans.
Delta Dental provides solid preventive care coverage but has waiting periods for more significant procedures and less generous annual maximums.
Bottom Line
Delta Dental has a large network of dentists and is a popular choice for many seniors.
But, when you compare Delta Dental with Ameritas, Ameritas really stands out. One big perk is there are no waiting periods with Ameritas. Plus, you have the option for vision and hearing benefits along with dental coverage, and they offer three exams and cleanings a year, while Delta Dental gives just two.
Delta Dental might cover basic services a bit more at up to 80%, but you’ve got a six-month waiting period to deal with.
Before deciding about dental insurance, it’s important to understand your dental needs. Some seniors may only require basic preventative care, such as regular cleanings and check-ups, while others may need more extensive procedures, such as root canals or dentures.
If you need any help comparing dental plans, feel free to give us a call. We’d be happy to help!
Sources: Delta Dental for Seniors | Ameritas Dental
FAQs
- Does Delta Dental offer plans specifically for seniors?
- Does Delta Dental have a wide network of providers?
- How can seniors select the right dental insurance plan?
