The average cost of dental insurance for seniors ranges from $20 to $80 per month. Individual dental insurance providers can set their own fees, and pricing depends on the co-pay, annual coverage limits and what sort of treatments are covered. Some of the best dental insurance policies cover not only the account holder but also a limited number of dependent family members.
There Are Many Types of Dental Policies
Dental insurance policies come in a few different forms. Pre-pay policies are usually the most affordable, with seniors paying a fixed fee to the dental organization for any treatments. The downside of pre-pay policies is seniors are restricted to specific surgeries within a network, and if they require emergency treatment at an out-of-network dentist, they may not be covered.
Dental Preferred Provider Organization plans are more costly, however, they offer more flexibility in terms of which care providers the senior can use. These plans still have a copay, and the lower the monthly premium, the higher the copay is likely to be.
Senior Groups May Offer Good Dental Insurance Deals
Senior groups, such as the American Association of Retired Persons and the Association of Mature American Citizens, offer dental insurance to their members. These groups have made deals with dental insurance providers, so members may be eligible for low-cost dental insurance, or they may receive extra coverage on members-only plans.
It’s worth shopping around for dental insurance, however. These discounted plans are usually a good deal, but a senior may be able to get better pricing through their existing health insurance provider, a VA plan or a smaller, local provider. It’s a good idea to get several quotes before choosing a plan.
