Ameritas Dental Insurance Review

Ameritas offers dental plans with monthly premiums starting at $25. With all of their dental plans, you’ll see benefits and coverage increase for basic and major procedures after the first year of enrollment.

They also provide family-friendly plans that include orthodontic care for kids.

While their top-tier plan has a higher premium, its $3,000 annual maximum and comprehensive coverage for preventive, basic, and major services may justify that cost.

To give you a complete picture of what Ameritas offers, I will compare it with Delta Dental, another popular dental insurance provider. We’ll look at things like coverage, cost, and waiting periods.

My goal is to help you make an informed decision about choosing a dental insurance provider, so let’s dive into some highlights of Ameritas.

Highlights:

• No waiting periods: Ameritas generally does not have waiting periods for most dental services, allowing you to access care immediately upon enrollment. 
• Extensive network: With over 425,000 providers, members can easily find in-network care.
• Variable costs: Monthly premiums range from $25 to $313, depending on the plan and region. Deductibles for basic and major procedures range from $25 to $50.
• Award-winning service: Ameritas is recognized for exceptional customer service. Since 2006, its claims contact center has received Benchmark Portal’s Center of Excellence award annually.

Summary:

With a wide network of providers and solid coverage options, Ameritas is a great pick for dental insurance in 2024.

Their dedication to keeping members happy, shown by their high ratings and awards, makes them even more appealing.

Types of Dental Plans Offered by Ameritas

Let’s explore the dental plans provided by Ameritas, including a breakdown of each plan’s specific coverage details.

#1.  PrimeStar® Lite

The PrimeStar® Lite plan is your most budget-friendly option. It provides 100% coverage for preventive care, such as exams and cleanings. A standout feature of this plan is its increasing annual maximum benefit and coverage for basic and major procedures after the first year.

• Average Cost: $25.83/month
• Maximum Benefit: Up to $1,500/year after the first year
• Deductible: $50 (per benefit year)
• Preventive (Type 1): 100% in-network, 70% out-of-network
• Basic (Type 2): Starts at 50% in-network, increasing to 80% after year one
• Major (Type 3): Starts at 10% in-network, increasing to 20% after year one

#2.  PrimeStar® Boost 

The PrimeStar® Boost plan is a great option for family coverage. It offers unique benefits like teeth whitening and orthodontic care coverage for kids. The plan also has comprehensive coverage for preventive care, basic services, and major services.

• Average Cost: $48.66/month
• Maximum Benefit: Up to $2,000/year after the first year
• Deductible: $50 (per benefit year)
• Preventive (Type 1): 100% in-network, 80% out-of-network
• Basic (Type 2): Starts at 65% in-network, increasing to 80% after year one
• Major (Type 3): Starts at 20% in-network, increasing to 50% after year one
• Child Orthodontia: 50% coverage

#3.  PrimeStar® Complete

The PrimeStar® Complete plan may be the pricier option, but it offers the most comprehensive coverage with a high annual maximum benefit of up to $3,000 after the first year. Hearing benefits are also available to plan members of all ages, covering exams and hearing aids. Coverage for basic and major procedures also increases after the first year.

• Average Cost: $57.26/month
• Maximum Benefit: Up to $3,000/year after the first year
• Deductible: $50 (per benefit year)
• Preventive (Type 1): 100% in-network, 90% out-of-network
• Basic (Type 2): Starts at 80% in-network, increasing to 90% after year one
• Major (Type 3): Starts at 20% in-network, increasing to 50% after year one
• Hearing Benefits: Coverage for exams and aids

Member Service and Support

Ameritas has a reputation for top-notch customer service, especially its claims contact center, which has received the Benchmark Portal’s Center of Excellence award every year since 2006.

They really focus on keeping members happy with quick electronic claim processing and flexible submission options. Plus, their customer service reps are available for extended hours during the week, so you can receive support right when you need it.

Pros and Cons of Ameritas

We’ve established that Ameritas is a great choice for dental insurance. Here are some additional perks available to Ameritas members:

• Ameritas offers a Dental Care Estimator to help get an idea of costs before seeing the dentist.
• Plans include next-day coverage and no enrollment fees.
• Your coverage remains in place as your life changes, and you have the flexibility to cancel at any time.
• You can choose plans with VSP or EyeMed vision networks in most states (covers eye exams and eyewear like glasses or contact lenses).
• All call centers are in the United States with no outsourcing.

But let’s discuss some of the drawbacks. Some plans might have higher premiums than other dental insurance providers, which could be a deal-breaker if you’re on a tight budget.

Sure, the comprehensive coverage and extensive network are big pluses, but you’ll want to balance these against the possibly higher costs to see if Ameritas is the best fit for your specific needs.

Ameritas vs. Delta Dental

When checking out dental insurance options, it’s helpful to directly compare what other leading providers offer, like Delta Dental.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of how these companies two stack up:

• Ameritas:
  • Waiting Periods: No
  • Vision & Hearing Coverage: Yes
  • Increasing Benefits: Yes
  • Preventative Services Covered: 100% (no waiting)
  • Exams & Cleanings: 3 times a year (included)
  • Basic Services Covered: 65%; 80% (no waiting)
  • Major Services Covered: 20%; 50% (no waiting)
  • Implants: Yes (select plans)
  • Orthodontia: Yes (child only)
  • Teeth Whitening: Yes
  • Annual Maximums: $1,500 – $3,000
• Delta Dental:
  • Waiting Periods: Yes
  • Vision & Hearing Coverage: No
  • Increasing Benefits: No
  • Preventative Services Covered: 100% (no waiting)
  • Exams & Cleanings: 2 times a year (included)
  • Basic Services Covered: 80% (6-month waiting period)
  • Major Services Covered: 50% (12-month waiting period)
  • Implants: Yes (select plans)
  • Orthodontia: Yes
  • Teeth Whitening: Yes
  • Annual Maximums: $1,000 – $2,000

In a nutshell:

Ameritas is the better pick for dental insurance compared to Delta Dental, mainly because it skips the waiting periods and lets you access care immediately. Ameritas has more benefits, including vision and hearing, and offers increasing coverage after the first year.

Bottom Line

Ameritas is a popular choice with over 11 million members and has a large network of dentists.

Their basic plan starts at around $25 a month and still offers increasing benefits and coverage for basic and major procedures after the first year. They even have family-friendly plans with orthodontic care for the kids.

The $3,000 annual maximum on their most comprehensive plan is worth the higher monthly premium if you expect major procedures or need hearing benefits.

Compared to Delta Dental, Ameritas stands out by offering more cleanings and exams without waiting periods. On the other hand, Delta Dental might make you wait 6-12 months.

If you need help comparing dental plans, just give us a call. We’d love to help!

Sources:  Delta Dental  |  Ameritas Dental

FAQs

• How do I enroll in an Ameritas dental plan?

  You can enroll in an Ameritas dental plan hassle-free through their online enrollment and billing system. Simply select a plan, complete the enrollment process, and manage your billing online.

• Are there any waiting periods for Ameritas dental plans?

  No, most Ameritas dental plans do not have waiting periods for preventive, basic, and major services.

• What are the key features of Ameritas dental plans?

  Ameritas dental plans offer coverage for preventive, basic, and major services, a large provider network, no waiting periods for most plans, and competitive pricing.