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Dental insurance in Connecticut is a vital investment for individuals, families, and veterans alike. Many dental insurance plans in CT cover routine cleanings and exams, which can help prevent costly procedures down the line.
Some dental insurance plans in CT offer discounts on services like fillings and crowns, which can save you money on essential care. For example, a plan may offer a 20% discount on fillings.
In Connecticut, dental insurance plans can be purchased through the HealthCare.gov marketplace, or directly from insurance companies. This means you have options to find a plan that fits your needs and budget.
Veterans can also benefit from dental insurance in CT, as some plans offer discounts or special programs for military personnel and their families.
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Dental Insurance in CT
In Connecticut, it's essential to plan ahead for dental care in retirement. Your dentist can help you plan by discussing what care you'll need in the next few years.
Consider scheduling expensive services before you retire to take advantage of your employer's dental coverage. This might be a better option than your future coverage.
Some dentists offer in-house dental membership programs or discounts for upfront payments, which can help you save money.
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Types of Dental Insurance
In Connecticut, you have several types of dental insurance plans to choose from.
DHMO (Dental Health Maintenance Organization) plans are a more cost-effective option, with lower premiums, but you must use dentists within the plan's provider network.
A Dental PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan is typically the most expensive option, but it offers more choice and flexibility in selecting a dentist, including specialists.
The most popular type of dental insurance in Connecticut is a PPO plan, which accounts for the vast majority of dental insurance plans purchased throughout the state.
Here are the main differences between DHMO and PPO plans:
HMO
HMO plans can be a more cost-effective option, as you pay less on premiums. This is because you're required to use dentists within the plan's provider network.
You'll need to choose a dentist from the network, which might be a good opportunity to find a new dentist if you're not already seeing someone in-network. This can also help you save money on dental care costs.
A DHMO plan may be a great choice if your dentist is already part of the network, as you won't have to worry about switching providers. This can make dental care more convenient and affordable.
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PPO
PPO plans are a popular choice for many people in Connecticut. They offer flexibility to see any dentist, whether in-network or out-of-network, and most cleanings and exams are covered 100%.
A PPO plan is typically the most expensive option, but it comes with more choice and the opportunity to pick a dentist you prefer. If you require specialist care, you won't need to see your regular dentist for a referral.
You can choose from a large network of dentists and oral care specialists to find the right provider for you and your family. Comprehensive coverage protects your oral health and your wallet.
Here's a breakdown of the average monthly cost of dental insurance in Connecticut for one person: $36, or approximately $438 per year. However, the final price will be determined by your choice of coverage levels, whether you're a smoker, where you live, and the number of people covered.
Delta Dental is a well-known insurance provider with a solid reputation, but keep in mind that not every insurance company is suitable for everyone, so it's always a good idea to shop around.
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Connecticut Annual Maximums
In Connecticut, many dental insurance plans have an annual maximum limit on what they'll pay out each year, typically around $1,500. If you reach this limit, you're responsible for all costs over that amount.
For example, if you need a crown or root canal surgery, you can easily exceed the annual maximum. This is because these procedures can be quite expensive.
There may also be waiting periods for specific treatments depending on the plan you choose. This means you might have to wait a certain amount of time before you can get the treatment you need.
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Federal (FEDVIP)
If you're a federal employee, annuitant, or retired uniformed service member, you're in luck - the Federal Dental Plan (FEDVIP) offers comprehensive dental coverage for you and your family.
You have a choice of two plan options, which is great because it allows you to tailor your coverage to your needs.
One of the best features of FEDVIP is that there are no waiting periods for most major procedures, which means you can get the care you need quickly.
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You'll also get 100% coverage for in-network cleanings and exams, which can help prevent bigger problems down the line.
If you're a parent, you'll be happy to know that FEDVIP offers orthodontia coverage for children up until age 19 with the High plan.
Here are the key features of FEDVIP at a glance:
What is Covered
Dental insurance in CT covers a range of services, including preventative exams, routine teeth cleaning, fillings, and X-rays.
Preventative services like cleanings and X-rays are usually covered without extra cost, but the coverage of more extensive services varies between plans.
Most Medicare Advantage plans cover some dental services, but the level of coverage and cost sharing can differ significantly.
In CT, dental insurance plans may also include periodontics, endodontics, dentures, bridges, root canals, and other surgical treatments.
Preventative services are often covered without extra cost, but more extensive services may require a larger portion of the cost to be paid by the member.
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A 6-month waiting period applies to some services, but this may be waived if the member had prior coverage for 12 continuous months.
Major services like oral surgery, complete and partial dentures, and crowns may have a 12-month waiting period, but this can be waived if the member had prior coverage for 12 continuous months.
Here's a breakdown of what's typically covered in a dental insurance plan in CT:
- Preventative exams: usually covered
- Routine teeth cleaning: usually covered
- Fillings: usually covered
- X-rays: usually covered
- Periodontics: may be included
- Endodontics: may be included
- Dentures: may be included
- Bridges: may be included
- Root canals: may be included
- Oral surgery: may be included, but with a 12-month waiting period
- Complete and partial dentures: may be included, but with a 12-month waiting period
- Crowns: may be included, but with a 12-month waiting period
Note: The level of coverage and cost sharing can vary between plans, so it's essential to review the plan's summary of benefits or evidence of coverage to understand what's included.
Most Mouth Problems Aren't Covered
Most mouth problems aren't covered by dental insurance in Connecticut, which means you'll have to pay out of pocket for routine care like cleanings and fillings.
Aesthetic dentistry, like teeth whitening and veneers, is never covered by insurance because it's considered cosmetic and not medically necessary.
You may be surprised to learn that original Medicare doesn't cover routine dental care or procedures, even yearly exams and extractions.
Medicare limits dental coverage to specific medically related circumstances, such as surgery to treat jaw fractures or oral exams before certain surgeries.
Routine cleanings, root canals, and extractions aren't part of the Medicare plan, which can be a shock for many people who retire and lose their employer's dental insurance.
Despite some changes to Medicare's coverage, including adding dental exams and necessary treatments before organ transplant surgery, most dental care is still not covered.
You'll need to find alternative coverage if you want to ensure your dental health is taken care of.
Alternatives and Options
If you're looking for alternatives to traditional dental insurance in Connecticut, you have a few options. Dental discount plans or prepaid dental plans are popular alternatives, offering discounts on cleanings, crowns, exams, and fillings.
You may also be eligible for dental coverage from other sources, such as employer or retiree dental coverage, which is available to half of people 65 or older who have dental insurance. Medicaid is another option, providing dental coverage in some states for people who meet income and asset requirements.
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Here are some additional options to consider:
- Dental discount programs: These charge an up-front annual fee and provide discounts of 30-40% off various dental services.
- Medigap add-ons: Some Medigap plans let you add on dental coverage for an additional premium, with about 1 in 8 Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in such plans in 2020.
- Veterans benefits: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides dental care benefits to veterans who qualify based on their service-connected disability rating and other factors.
What Influences the Cost?
Your location plays a significant role in determining the cost of your dental insurance plan, as insurance providers consider where you reside.
In Connecticut, the average cost of dental insurance is $36 per month or about $438 per year, but this can vary based on several factors.
Your choice of dental benefits directly impacts the cost of your policy, with different options for deductibles, co-pays, and yearly maximums available.
Maintaining good dental hygiene is essential, as your overall dental health can affect the cost of your policy, with healthier individuals likely to need less coverage.
The annual maximum on your policy, which is the most your plan will pay out for coverage in a plan year, also influences the cost, with lower annual maximums resulting in higher out-of-pocket expenses.
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Alternatives in Connecticut
In Connecticut, you have several alternatives to traditional dental insurance. The most popular option is a dental discount plan or a prepaid dental plan.
You may be eligible for dental coverage from other sources, such as employer or retiree dental coverage, which is available to half of people 65 or older who had dental insurance. Medicaid provides dental coverage in some states for people who meet income and asset requirements, but fewer than half the states provide care beyond emergency dental services for adults.
Medigap add-ons, which help cover original Medicare's out-of-pocket costs, don't include dental coverage in their standardized benefits, but some plans let you add on dental coverage for an additional premium. In 2020, about 1 in 8 Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in Medigap plans with additional dental, hearing or vision benefits.
Veterans benefits also offer dental care benefits to veterans who qualify based on their service-connected disability rating and other factors.
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Veteran Affairs Program
The Veteran Affairs Program offers a range of benefits for veterans and their families.
MetLife helps protect the smiles of Veterans, their families and CHAMPVA members with comprehensive coverage.
This program is specifically designed to provide dental insurance to those who have served in the military.
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Discounts and Savings
Dental Discount Plans can save you 10-60% on typical dental care costs at a nationwide network of over 100,000 dentists.
Routine visits to the dentist can help prevent costly dental bills later on, as well as problems linked to medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
As a MetLife member, you can take advantage of negotiated fees, typically 35-50% less than the average dental costs.
If you have a choice of plans, consider your oral health needs and ability to pay for unexpected major services, like a crown.
Here are some estimated savings ranges for different dental services:
These discounts can be a game-changer for your budget and oral health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which insurance has the best dental plan?
Delta is considered the best dental insurance provider for braces, offering the most plans with adult braces coverage and the highest lifetime coverage.
Sources
- https://www.simplyinsurance.com/best-dental-insurance-connecticut/
- https://www.metlife.com/insurance/dental-insurance/
- https://www.humana.com/dental-insurance/complete-dental-plan
- https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-2022/dental-coverage.html
- https://www.dentalinsuranceshop.com/dental-insurance/dental-insurance-by-state/connecticut-dental-plans
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