What Is The Best Dental Insurance For Retirees

Tips For Buying Dental Insurance

There are a number of things to keep in mind when shopping for dental insurance. Here are five tips for every senior who is looking to insure their smile.

As a bonus tip, ask questions. Research customer satisfaction ratings for various plans. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Talk to people you know about their dental insurance plans and what they do and dont like.

HMIA002018

Best For Special Needs: Cigna

Cigna

• Only available in 23 states

• Dental coverage only available with some plans

We chose Cigna as best for special needs because of their personalized plan offerings. While other Medicare Advantage Plans limit coverage to individuals with special health conditions or care needs, Cigna offers special needs plans that include access to a wider range of specialists, along with regular health assessment .

Depending on your health care needs, Cigna offers an increased range of services, whether that is more intensive treatments, personalized care treatments, or more individual specialist attention.

Based on a review of Cignas Model of Care, the National Committee for Quality Assurance has approved Cigna to operate as a Special Needs Plan through 2021.

Cigna offers a health risk assessment that can be used to develop personalized care plans with Cigna Medicare Advantage Plan enrollees and their primary care doctor. The HRA also helps match each enrollee with the health and wellness services that best fit their needs.

Originally founded in 1792 as the Insurance Company of North America, Cigna is now an American worldwide health services organization. They have a full range of plans with premiums ranging from $0 to over $100 each month, depending on your needs and location.

Jc Lewis Insurance Services And Dental Plans For Seniors

JC Lewis Insurance, located in beautiful Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, offers California health insurance plans only from leading health insurance carriers licensed to do business in California.

In addition to being expert health insurance agents and brokers, we are licensed and certified by each insurance carrier to offer coverage to individuals, families, small group employers, and to seniors for Medicare supplemental and prescription drug plans, as well as dental plans.

If you are currently working and your employer doesnt provide dental coverage, an individual or Medicare Advantage Plan may be the best option for you and your spouse.

And remember to take advantage of your one-time Welcome to Medicare preventive visit if youve just recently enrolled in Medicare. This comprehensive visit comes at no cost and helps you plan for a healthy future. To prepare for this visit be sure to bring your medical and immunization records, information about your familys health history, and a list of your prescription medications.

For help in finding the right California Medicare dental, health, or prescription drug plan and finding Medicare providers in your area, give JC Lewis Insurance Services a call toll-free at 866-745-9555.

Well help you understand your options so you can make an informed decision.

You May Like: Jp Morgan Chase Retirement Plan Administration

Physicians Mutual Dental Insurance

Physicians Mutual provides supplemental dental insurance for both families and individuals.

They have over 500,000 providers in their network and the plans cover 350+ services. There isnt an annual or lifetime maximum.

There have three basic dental plans:

• Economy Plus

See how to get a free Costco membership.

When You Need Your Own Dental Insurance Without Medicare Part C

There are a variety of reasons why Sonoma County seniors might choose to shop for their own individual or family dental plan that is not a Medicare Advantage Plan. And, as with the latter, it is still a great idea to seek out the advice and guidance of a trusted local agent like J.C. Lewis Insurance services.

With that being said, Cigna has been rated as having the best overall plans. And, while no insurance provider is perfect nor the best fit for everyone, Cigna offers three plan options with the lowest estimated premium prices starting at just $19 per month. Cigna can be a great option for those looking for basic and preventative care.

Ranking right up there is Delta Dental, the largest dental insurance provider in the US. This fact is due in large part because of its partnership with AARP and a customer base exceeding 80 million Americans. Because of their relationship with AARP, Delta Dental offers specific services geared towards seniors, unlike most dental insurance providers.

Don’t Miss: Financial Planning Tools For Retirement

What Do Senior Dental Plans Cover

The dental insurance coverage you receive will depend on your individual plan, but dental plans generally cover the following care:

• Two preventive exams/cleanings a year
• X-rays for annual exams
• Oral surgeries

Some plans are more comprehensive, also covering care such as:

• Orthodontics
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics

Planning For Healthcare Costs In Retirement

The best time to begin planning for retirement is right now. The sooner you start planning, the better off you’ll be.

The same is true when it comes to planning for healthcare costs in retirement. You may have some coverage through the public system or employer rollover benefits. You probably won’t have enough coverage in retirement.

How much does Canadian healthcare cost? The average Canadian household spends $2,000 out of pocket and $4,000 per year on private health insurance.

As you can see, the price of Canadian healthcare is higher than you might think. Without private insurance, Canadians would spend much more out of pocket.

When you’re planning for retirement, you’ll want to include different kinds of policies. Catastrophic illness insurance is a good idea. Dental care and vision care policies are also helpful.

Don’t forget to plan for inflation as well. As the numbers show, in Canada, health insurance costs have been going up. By planning for future cost increases, you can make sure you have enough.

Recommended Reading: Army Benefits Center Civilian Retirement

Most Comprehensive Coverage: Aarp

AARPs Medicare Advantage plans, for the most part, all come with preventative dental coverage, and many of those plans also come with comprehensive dental care coverage as well.

• Preventative dental care comes with most plans, to cover cleanings, x-rays, etc.

• Many plans also come with comprehensive dental care

• Generally low premiums

• Some plans have a $500 maximum yearly limit for comprehensive dental care

• Some plans give yearly maximum coverage amount for preventative and comprehensive dental combined

Its nice to feel secure with your insurance. Thats what AARP providesno matter what plan you choose, your pearly whites are covered. Most plans come with at least preventative dental care covered, and most also include comprehensive care covered, though at a yearly maximum cap. That means you may not need to pay anything at the dentist, depending on the procedure youre having done. However, if you think youll be having more intensive work done that would exceed the annual maximum, it may be best to look into plans that have more detailed, broader coverage options available. The PPO Plan A offers the most comprehensive coverage with a $40 deductible and $1,500 in annual coverage. The PPO Plan B offers a lower monthly premium but a $90 deductible and $1,000 in annual coverage.

Get The Best Dental Insurance Plan

Whether you are a senior or not, finding the right dental insurance plan for you is a matter of taking the time to shop around. The general advice is that you should seek insurance quotes from multiple providers before making a final decision.

You will get the best results if you go into your search for insurance with a clear idea of your budget and what treatment you are likely to need over the coming years. Its no good choosing a heavily discounted insurance option if you end up needing expensive treatment six months down the line, which is not covered in your plan.

It may be useful to use an online dental insurance comparison tool to help you weigh up the available options.

Recommended Reading: What Steps Should Be Taken In Retirement Planning

How Much Does Dental Insurance For Seniors Cost

To get a feel for the types of dental coverage you can get at a particular cost, take a look at these popular dental plans:

Note: Some plans require an annual commitment, which means that even if you dont like the plan, you still have to commit to paying 12 months of premiums.

Dental Hygiene And Seniors

Seniors have somewhat of a unique relationship with dental health. They tend to have specific oral hygiene complications due to medications, nutrition, and good old wear and tear. And some of those dental problems are known to cause health complications in other areas of the body.

For example, many medications seniors rely onsuch as those used for treating high blood pressure or Parkinsons diseasemay cause dry mouth, which in turn may cause cavities.

Read Also: Continuing Care Retirement Community Nj

How Should You Compare Dental Insurance Plans For Seniors

When comparing dental insurance plans, there are a few important factors that you should consider. These include:

• Cost: Look for plans with low premiums and deductibles.
• Coverage limits: If you know youre likely to need major dental work in the future, you should choose a plan with a high maximum coverage limit.
• Availability: Look for a provider that has availability in your area and a large network.
• Waiting periods: The best dental plans have short waiting periods that allow you to get the coverage you need when you need it.

How We Chose The Best Dental Insurance Plans Of 2021

To rank the best dental insurance plans of 2021, we first evaluated plan tiers and available coverage benefits. For cost comparisons, we looked at premiums, deductibles and annual benefit limits. Finally, to measure customer satisfaction, we used J.D Powers 2020 U.S Dental Plan Satisfaction and the complaint index set by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Also Check: Primrose Retirement Community Newburgh Indiana

Best For Preventative Care: Cigna

Cigna

Some of Cignas Medicare Advantage plans cover preventative dental care like cleanings and routine exams, and some cover comprehensive care as well, such as crowns and extractions. With most plans, preventive care has an $0 copay. Cignas Medicare Advantage plan has built-in dental coverage through Part C coverage.

• Variety of plans to choose from that include dental

• Comprehensive dental care maximums range from $1,000 to $2,000 yearly

• Plans also include vision coverage for exams, eyewear or contact lenses, and more

• Some monthly premium are $0

• May not offer Medicare coverage in your state, but offers separate dental plans in all 50 states

• Plans vary in other coverage, so be sure to compare medical, dental, and vision plans

When choosing a Cigna Medicare Advantage plan, weigh the dental care, medical coverage, and prescription drug coverage separately, and then decide which aspect of the Medicare Advantage plan is most important to you. Dont get caught without coverage in an area you may need.

What Every Retirement

As we grow, so do our concerns about our health. A lot of attention ends up being paid to health insurance plans and programs for senior citizens. Unfortunately, dental insurance for seniors is often easily overlooked.

Although people tend to deprioritize treatment for dental care, oral hygiene is among the most common health concerns for people over the age of 65. Its also where a lot of money is being spent. A study from the Pew Center on the States predicts that total annual spending on dental care will surge from $101.9 billion in 2010 to $161.4 billion in 2018.

At the root of the problem is the fact that dental insurance is often not included in employer-sponsored health insurance plans. In 2012, 70 percent of American employees in private sectors were offered health insurance through their employer but only 45 percent were provided dental coverage.

To make matters worse, dental coverage is not included in Original Medicare, which in 2013 saw over 43 million senior enrollees. And while the Affordable Care Act has impacted healthcare coverage, it only guarantees dental coverage for children.

So what are seniors left to do? Without employer- or government-funded dental insurance, seniors with fixed incomes are left to hunt down affordable dental plans on the open market.

Thats where HealthMarkets can help. We have over 3,000 licensed agents who can assist you in finding affordable dental insurance to fit your needs.

Contact HealthMarkets by calling 827-9990.

Recommended Reading: How Much Should You Have In Savings To Retire

Tips For A Wise Buyer

The Mayo Clinic advises that poor dental health significantly impacts your physical health, including causing heart disease and endocarditis, an infection of the hearts inner lining. Diseases which often affect us as we age like osteoporosis, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few, frequently cause dental problems that eventually become too painful to ignore. Seniors often need more dental care than younger generations because of softening bones and teeth or a dry mouth, which can lead to an assortment of oral health problems. Regular visits to the dentist can save money down the road while reducing the risk of painful dental problems.

While general dental care like regular cleanings is not expensive, you could be out thousands of dollars for dental implants, dentures, bone grafts, tooth extractions or other procedures. Our best dental insurance companies offer affordable insurance plans that help with managing dental costs as you age.

Best For Supplementing Medicare: Humana

Humana

Humana offers excellent Medigap coverage with a user-friendly website and multiple plan options to choose from. It is our choice as the best Medigap provider for its customizable coverage options and the ability to keep the healthcare providers you trust.

• Multiple plans to choose from

• You can choose any healthcare provider.

• Majority of your Medicare costs covered

• Monthly premiums can be high.

If youre 65 or older, you may not think you need additional coverage since you qualify for Medicare. However, a 65-year-old couple that retired in 2021 can expect to pay $300,000 in healthcare and medical expenses during their retirement.

A Medigap policy can help cover your health costs, such as your Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments.

Medigap policies dont include prescription drug coverage, and your monthly premium may be expensive. Humana is licensed to offer Medigap policies in most states, but check to see if plans are available where you live.

Humana is one of the top Medigap providers, offering a user-friendly website that allows you to search through the companys Medigap plans easily. With a Humana Medigap policy, you can see any healthcare provider that accepts Medicare. Depending on which plan you choose, the majority of your Medicare costs may be covered. Humana has an A- rating from AM Best.

Read Also: How Much Money To Retire At 62

How We Chose The Best Dental Insurance For This Guide

For our guide to the best dental insurance, we looked at a long-list of various dental plan providers before whittling it down to the shortlist you see here. To help you find top rated dental insurance that you can comfortably afford, where possible we looked for plans with low premiums and reasonable annual benefit maximums.

Then, to ensure you are able to access treatment where you live, we whittled the list down further by only looking at dental insurance plans with a broad network of dentists available.

Waiting times and financial ratingsAnother consideration was waiting time. After all, frustrating waiting periods make using dental coverage difficult, so we worked hard to select, where possible, providers without lengthy waiting lists .

Financial rating and assurance is important too, so we only considered dental insurance companies with a strong financial score. To aid us with this specific aspect of research, we turned to Standard & Poors. For existing customer reviews and insight, we used the likes of Better Business Bureau, Consumer Affairs, Consumer Advocate and BestCompany to get an informed look at how these dental insurance providers treat their customers.

Compare Health Insurance Plans For Retirees

If youre looking for health insurance coverage as a retiree, its good to take advantage of any government programs you qualify for and shop around to ensure that you have the coverage you need. For example, even if you qualify for Medicare, you may need to purchase supplemental plans for services that are not covered, like dental work.

When evaluating different plans, there are a few different factors that you should consider. You should make sure that the insurance company has in-network providers in your area and they offer a plan that meets your specific health needs. You should also compare policy premiums and deductibles, waiting periods, and customer satisfaction.

Recommended Reading: How To Borrow From Retirement