
Delta Dental is a well-established and reputable dental insurance provider, but is it good for your specific dental needs? With over 73 million members, they have a significant presence in the industry, covering over 130,000 dentists and specialists.
Their network of providers is extensive, with many dentists participating in their plan. In fact, Delta Dental has a 90% network participation rate, which means you'll likely have access to a dentist in your area.
Delta Dental offers a range of plans, including individual, family, and group coverage. This flexibility makes it a good option for people with different dental needs and budgets.
Choosing a Plan
Delta Dental offers a range of plans to suit different needs and budgets. Their plans are divided into categories, including PPO, DHMO, Discount Plans, and Managed Fee-for-Service Plans.
To choose the right plan, consider your family's and your own dental history, current oral health status, and budget. This will help you determine what type of plan is best for you.
Delta Dental's PPO plans have a network of dentists who accept reduced fees for covered services. Members pay a designated percentage of the reduced fee, called coinsurance, and the plan pays the remainder.
DHMO plans, on the other hand, focus on preventive care and have a smaller network of dentists. Members must use in-network dentists to obtain coverage, except in cases where a point of service provision allows them to opt out of the network at a reduced rate of coverage.
Discount Plans allow members to choose from a panel of participating dentists who charge discounted fees for their services. Members pay these fees directly to the dentist at the time of treatment; no paperwork is necessary.
Managed Fee-for-Service Plans, also known as Indemnity or Traditional Plans, offer the largest network of dental providers to choose from. Members pay a certain percentage for each service provided by an in-network dentist (this portion is called coinsurance) and the plan will pay the remainder.
Here are some key differences between the plans:
- PPO: lowest out-of-pocket costs when receiving treatment from an in-network dentist
- DHMO: lower cost coverage with a focus on preventive care
- Discount Plans: lower premium than PPO and Managed Fee for Service Plans
- Managed Fee-for-Service Plans: largest network of dental providers to choose from
Ultimately, the best plan for you will depend on your individual needs and circumstances. Be sure to research and compare the different plans to find the one that works best for you.
Evaluating Delta Dental
Patient Empowered Dentistry accepts all major Delta Dental policies, allowing patients to get the most out of their coverage while receiving excellent service from their team members.
They will review your policy to maximize its benefits, ensuring you get the most out of your coverage.
Their team specializes in working with Delta Dental plans, making it easier for you to navigate your benefits.
By pairing your Delta Dental plan with Patient Empowered Dentistry, you can get quality care at an affordable price point.
Discounted rates are available on major procedures covered by your plan, making it more cost-effective.
Their expert team will take the time necessary to review your policy and maximize its benefits.
Plan Details
Delta Dental offers several plan options, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. The PPO Value for Seniors plan, for example, has no deductibles or co-pays, and no waiting period for preventive care.
This plan is a great option for older adults with good dental health and the financial means to cover unexpected out-of-pocket costs. However, you'll need to see an in-network dentist for virtually all your care, so finding a good in-network dentist in your area who is accepting new patients will be very important.
Here are some key details about the PPO Value for Seniors plan:
Network Size
Network size is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a dental insurance plan. A plan with a smaller network size may not have as many dentists to choose from, which could be a problem if you live in an area with a limited number of dentists.
You should think about the network size of each plan and how it will affect your ability to see your preferred dentist. This is especially important if you have a favorite dentist or if you live in an area with a limited number of dentists.
If a plan's network size is smaller than you'd like, you may be able to opt for a point of service provision that allows you to see an out-of-network dentist at a reduced rate of coverage.
Here are some key differences in network size among common types of dental insurance plans:
Keep in mind that a larger network size often comes with a higher premium, so it's essential to weigh the costs and benefits of each plan.
PPO Value for Seniors Plan Highlights
The PPO Value for Seniors plan is a great option for older adults who want affordable dental coverage without breaking the bank. This plan costs just $21.43 a month, making it a low-cost option for seniors. It's a PPO plan, which means you can see any dentist you want, but you'll get better rates from in-network providers.
One of the best things about this plan is that it has no deductibles, co-pays, or annual benefits maximum. This means you can get the dental care you need without worrying about surprise bills. You'll also get 100% coverage for diagnostic and preventive care, including two cleanings and two exams per year.
Here are some of the highlights of the PPO Value for Seniors plan:
- No deductibles, co-pays, or annual benefits maximum
- 100% coverage for diagnostic and preventive care
- No waiting period for preventive care
- Some plans may have coverage for crowns, bridges, dentures, implants, and root canals
Keep in mind that you'll need to see an in-network dentist for virtually all your care, so finding a good in-network dentist in your area who is accepting new patients will be very important.
Senior Plans
Delta Dental offers a range of senior plans that cater to the unique needs of older adults. One such plan is the PPO Value for Seniors, which is a low-cost option for people over 65, currently priced at $21.43 a month.
This plan provides access to over 6,500 dentists nationwide and offers 100% coverage for diagnostic and preventive care, including two cleanings and two exams per year. There's also no waiting period for preventive care.
The plan's coverage varies depending on where you live, so it's essential to check the details specific to your area. Additionally, some plans might have coverage for crowns, bridges, dentures, implants, and root canals.
Here are some key benefits of the Delta Dental PPO Value for Seniors plan:
- No deductibles, co-pays, or annual benefits maximum
- 100% coverage for diagnostic and preventive care
- No waiting period for preventive care
- Some plans might have coverage for crowns, bridges, dentures, implants, and root canals
Keep in mind that you'll need to see an in-network dentist for virtually all your care, so finding a good in-network dentist in your area who is accepting new patients will be very important.
Delta Dental also partners with Medicare Advantage (MA) programs to provide dental coverage included in MA plans in various states. However, coverage and plan options vary depending on where you live, so it's crucial to check the details specific to your area.
The AARP has contracted with Delta Dental to offer two PPO plans and one HMO plan, which cover preventive and basic care as soon as you meet your deductible. However, there is a 12-month waiting period for restorative care with the PPO plans, and the HMO plan has no waiting period but might not start for over a month.
Buying a Plan
To purchase a Delta Dental plan, you can shop online or call Delta to speak with an insurance sales representative. Shopping online is easy, just select the plan you'd like, enter your contact information, and answer a few questions.
You'll be asked for your payment information and whether you'd like to sign up for auto pay. Missing a payment might prompt the company to restart your waiting period for services or cancel your insurance altogether.
Delta Dental offers six plans in total, including the PPO, PPO Plus Premier, Premier, DeltaCare USA, Patient Direct, and Individual and Family plans. Each plan has its own unique features and benefits.
Here are the six Delta Dental plans:
Plan Features
Delta Dental offers a range of plan features that cater to different needs and budgets.
You can choose from various plans, including the Delta Dental PPO Value for Seniors Plan, which is a low-cost option for people over 65, costing $21.43 a month. This plan offers 100 percent coverage for diagnostic and preventive care, with no deductibles, co-pays, or annual benefits maximum.
The Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier plan provides discounted rates for out-of-network dentists, while the Delta Dental Premier plan is an indemnity plan that requires individuals to pay copays and deductibles for services received. DeltaCare USA is a HMO plan that focuses on preventive services, and Delta Dental Patient Direct allows patients to choose a dentist from the Delta Dental network and pay the dentist's pre-negotiated fee.
Some plans, like the Delta Dental Choice PPO 2000 Plan, offer higher levels of coverage, including 100 percent coverage for exams, X-rays, and cleanings, and simple restorative services such as fillings. However, this plan has a $50 annual deductible and a $2,000 annual benefits maximum.
Here are some key features of Delta Dental plans:
Delta Dental's plans also offer coverage for various types of dental care, including preventive, basic, and major services. Some plans cover 100 percent of preventive care costs with no waiting period, while others have a waiting period for basic and major care.
Delta Dental's Patient Direct plan offers discounted rates on major procedures, including crowns, fillings, and periodontal scaling and root planing. The Delta Dental Individual and Family plan has a low annual benefits cap of $1,000, but offers no-cost preventive dental care and low co-pays for services such as fillings and periodontal scaling and root planing.
Pros and Cons
Delta Dental insurance has its advantages, and one of the main benefits is that policies are customizable.
This means you can tailor your coverage to fit your specific needs and budget.
Delta Dental's claim forms process is efficient and easy, making it a breeze to get reimbursed for your dental expenses.
This streamlined process saves you time and hassle.
The insurance offers coverage for many preventive, basic, and major dental care services, giving you peace of mind knowing you're protected.
Delta Dental also offers more than just insurance, including additional benefits.
Here are some of the extra perks you can look forward to:
- Policies are customizable
- Efficient and easy claim forms process
- Offers coverage for many preventive, basic and major dental care services
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best dental insurance to have?
Delta Dental is considered the best overall dental insurance, offering comprehensive coverage at an affordable price, including options for those with braces, implants, and older adults. Its Premium PPO plan features a $2,000 annual maximum benefit and a $50 deductible.
Do most dentists accept Delta Dental insurance?
Most dentists accept Delta Dental insurance, making it a widely accepted and convenient option for dental care. Check with your local dentist to confirm their participation.
Is Delta Dental USA a PPO or HMO?
Delta Dental USA is offered as a PPO (Delta Dental PPO) and a DHMO (DeltaCare USA) option. You can compare these two quality dental options to choose the one that best fits your needs.
Sources
- https://www.deltadental.com/us/en/protect-my-smile/dental-insurance-101/how-to-choose-dental-insurance-plan.html
- https://www.seniorliving.org/insurance/dental/delta/
- https://patientempowereddentistry.com/is-delta-dental-a-good-dental-insurance-for-michigan-residents/
- https://money.com/delta-dental-insurance-review/
- https://www.toptenreviews.com/delta-dental-insurance-review
Featured Images: pexels.com