Dental Insurance for Seniors – How to Choose the Best Senior Dental Insurance
Getting dental insurance for seniors might seem farthest in the minds of most retirees. One of the reasons for this is that many do not know or perhaps were not informed that their dental coverage ended with their retirement. Because of the lack of information about where to find an affordable dental plan, many senior citizens just give up entirely and will often visit the dentist only when they really need to. Unfortunately, when this occurs, the repairs that need to be done are often extensive. Without a senior dental insurance plan, this type of work can be prohibitively expensive.
The elderly are more prone to dental health issues because of the wear and tear that naturally comes with age. Fewer hormones and enzymes are produced and the body is not as efficient in absorbing the nutrients it gets from food.
As a result, senior citizens are also more prone to darker teeth, gingivitis, periodontitis, root decay, and even oral cancer. To maintain good oral health and still have something to smile about throughout their golden years, dental checkups are a must.
Dental Insurance for Seniors – The 4 Available Plans
There are basically four types of dental insurance for seniors available on the market today.
- Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) Dental Insurance Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) Dental Plans
- Dental Indemnity Insurance
- Discount Dental Plans
Each of these senior dental plans has advantages and disadvantages. You should choose a plan that best suits your budget, your lifestyle, and the type of coverage you need.
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) Dental Insurance for Seniors
The PPO Dental Insurance Plan is basically a dental plan that gives seniors a lot of flexibility when it comes to choosing their dentist. While the PPO has a network of dentists under its wing who can provide dental services to seniors who have this type of dental insurance, PPO members can choose to be treated by any dentist they so wish. In this arrangement, you pay the dentist directly and are then reimbursed by the insurance carrier at a later date.
While the PPO Dental Insurance Plan is most chosen by seniors because of its relative flexibility, the premiums can be a bit hefty for those with limited means. Another disadvantage is that the claims process can be a bit lengthy and a lot of forms need to be filled out before a reimbursement can be given.
An example of PPO dental insurance for seniors is offered by AARP, a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of its members aged 50 and up. Their Delta PPO Dental Plan also allows members to choose their own dental provider like most PPO Plans. The best advantage about the AARP Delta PPO Dental Plan is that the member does not have to make tedious claims since the plan already pays the dentist directly for their share of the dental cost. All you have to do is get treated, pay your share, and go.
Members can choose from two of the seniors insurance dental plans offered by AARP. Basically, Dental Plan A provides 100% coverage on all diagnostic and preventive dental procedures and 80% on cleanings, denture repairs, relining and rebase. Plan B, meanwhile, covers 80% of all diagnostic and preventive care and 50% on denture repairs, maintenance, and endodontics. Dental accidents are also covered fully under Plan A while Plan B gives no coverage for such.
Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) Dental Insurance
HMO Dental Plans, meanwhile, are more affordable senior dental insurance options.
However, unlike PPO Plans, members have to obtain their services from the specified oral health specialists within their network. An HMO will not reimburse a member’s claim if the service was performed by a dentist outside of their network.
Despite the restrictions, HMO dental insurance policies are often favored by elderly who are on a budget because of the affordability of the premiums. For anyone in who is considering dental insurance for seniors, HMO plans are certainly worth checking out.
Dental Indemnity Insurance
Dental Indemnity Insurance is the traditional dental insurance availed of by seniors who can afford to pay higher premiums in exchange for the freedom to choose his or her own dentist. These types of dental insurance usually cover a maximum of 80% of the dental work and leave the rest to be paid by the member.
The downside to this type of plan, however, is that it takes a longer time to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket services.
Discount Dental Plans
The cheapest type of dental insurance for seniors is the so-called Discount Dental Plan. They are not insurance policies in the real sense of the word since you basically pay the discounted rate directly to your dentist and won’t have to wait for reimbursements.
Working as an alternative to insurance, Discount Dental Plans allow members to save up to 60% on various dental procedures. This can include fillings, braces, and other procedures not covered by a traditional dental plan.
Many seniors are turning to Discount Dental Plans because of their affordability — you only need to pay an annual or monthly membership fee (which can go as low as $100 a year) depending on the type of plan you’re interested in.
Also, there is no waiting period and no forms to fill out. There are plans for cosmetic dental procedures such as bonding or veneer which are not normally covered by traditional insurance, and these plans do not only limit the discounts to dental care but provide for eye, ear, and chiropractic care discounts as well. These benefits make them an attractive option when it comes to dental insurance for seniors.
The downside of Discount Dental Plans is that you are very limited in your choice of dental care providers. You will have to choose a dentist that the network provides. Despite this limitation, Discount Dental Plans are the most popular among seniors nowadays because of its direct, hassle-free approach. Because it will work with any of the traditional dental insurance plans, many senior citizens also take advantage of this type of policy in order to ensure that their other dental needs are met if their traditional insurance does not provide for the service they require.
Dental Plans for Seniors – An Important Decision
Just because you are advanced in years doesn’t mean that your smile has to suffer. As with senior care insurance, dental coverage for senior citizesn is something that takes on more importance the older you get.
Obtaining dental insurance for seniors is the best way to ensure that you’ll have something to smile about as you welcome the twilight of your years.
