Seniors are particularly at risk of oral health problems, so having a comprehensive dental plan in place is essential.
There are plenty of good options out there, and we have conducted extensive research comparing PPO and indemnity plans from leading companies that provide excellent coverage at an affordable cost.
Aetna
Aetna provides an array of health, dental and vision insurance plans as well as Medicare Advantage plans and supplements tailored specifically to senior populations.
Aetna offers benefits that span from comprehensive dental coverage to discount programs and lower-than-industry deductibles and coverage limits, providing seniors with more options and helping save money on dental care costs.
In addition, the company provides tools and resources for members, with its website offering users the ability to find plans, shop providers and pay claims.
Seniors can contact the company for additional information or an appointment, and access an array of health and wellness resources online such as personalized health dashboards and personal health records.
Aetna offers dental insurance options that are both cost-effective and straightforward, including preventive services that are always covered without deductibles or annual maximums. Their network includes over 372,000 in-network providers.
Aflac
Aflac offers an assortment of supplemental insurance products, such as dental and life coverage. Their dental plans cover services such as checkups, cleanings and x-rays as well as any needed restorative procedures.
Your ideal plan depends on your unique requirements and coverage preferences; also take into account whether or not an HMO or PPO plan fits better for you.
Consideration should also be given to which dentists are in your vicinity. Aflac has an expansive network of participating dentists nationwide.
No matter which dentist you select, Aflac provides flexible dental benefits that are simple and straightforward. Plus, when filing your claim you can even direct payment directly to them by showing your ID card when filing.
Aflac offers dental benefits that cover preventive services like checkups and x-rays as well as major procedures like fillings and crowns. In addition, Aflac also provides a $60 wellness benefit which pays for routine exams and screenings such as mammograms, pap smears and flexible sigmoidoscopies.
Guardian Life
Guardian offers various dental plans tailored specifically to senior needs and budgets.
One type of plan available to consumers is known as DPPOs (Dental Preferred Provider Organizations), which provide access to an extensive network of dentists; you may also see out-of-network providers. These plans typically offer 100% coverage for routine preventive checkups, cleanings and x-rays with coinsurance for more complex services like fillings.
An alternative solution is DHMO (Dental Health Maintenance Organization). However, this requires using only in-network dentists – though you may face higher monthly premiums with this plan.
Guardian offers more than dental insurance; they also offer life and financial management services. Their term, whole, universal life and accident and critical illness policies all offer cash value and death benefits that can be purchased online or from local Guardian agents. Furthermore, accident and critical illness insurance plans pay out a lump sum in case an illness or injury arises that covers you – making Guardian an excellent partner in providing coverage if it becomes necessary.
Careington
Dental issues are an unfortunate reality of life and can incur substantial costs; however, with the right dental discount plan for seniors this problem can be avoided and costs reduced significantly.
Contrary to traditional dental insurance plans, dental savings plans are membership-based programs offering discounted preventive services and treatments at reduced rates. They’re an especially good solution for seniors without coverage or those whose annual benefits have reached their annual caps in traditional insurance plans.
These programs typically don’t impose annual limits or exclude preexisting conditions from coverage, with nationwide access to providers offering services and discounted services when service is rendered. Furthermore, discounts may also be provided at time of service delivery.
Careington is a nationwide provider of dental and vision discount plans. Additionally, Careington was co-founding member of the Consumer Health Alliance – an industry trade organization representing discount healthcare programs.