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When searching for a dental insurance plan, it’s important to consider each plan’s maximum annual benefit. Between exams, anesthesia, treatments and follow-up care, the cost of a moderate dental care need can quickly put a strain on your household budget. Even if you have insurance, knowing your dental insurance plan’s annual maximum and exploring dental insurance plans with no maximum are both must-dos when it comes to choosing affordable dental insurance.
Quick Look: Best Dental Insurance with No Annual Maximum
- Best for People Who Prefer to Have a Set Network of Dentists: Delta Dental
- Best for People Who Prioritize Preventive Dental Care: Cigna Dental
- Best for Those Without Traditional Insurance: Aetna
- Best for Routine Dental Services With a One-time Deductible: Humana
- Best for People Who May Need a Significant Amount of Dental Work: Careington
Best Dental Insurance with No Annual Maximum
Here are some trusted dental insurance providers who offer dental plans with no annual maximum.
1. Best for People Who Prefer to Have a Set Network of Dentists: Delta Dental
Delta Dental is one of the top-rated dental insurance providers, and the company offers two options for coverage without an annual maximum.
DeltaCare USA: DeltaCare USA is Delta’s DHMO plan option. Though you’ll need to see a dentist in the Delta Dental network, you’ll enjoy low or no copayments for most preventive services. The plan also doesn’t have a deductible, which means you can start using your benefits right away.
Delta Dental Patient Direct: Delta Dental Patient Direct is Delta Dental’s discount plan option. With this option, you’ll choose from a panel of dental professionals within Delta’s network. After receiving treatment, your dental office will provide you with a discount on services provided. You also won’t need to worry about deductibles or filing a claim with this option.
Pros
- Offers discounts without the need for filing claims
Cons
- Limited to network dentists and might not cover all types of dental services.
2. Best for People Who Prioritize Preventive Dental Care: Cigna Dental
Not every plan is available in every area or to every customer.
If you’re looking for a dental insurance option for preventive care only, you may want to consider the Cigna Dental Preventive plan. Though this insurance plan doesn’t offer coverage for nonroutine treatments like fillings or crowns, you won’t pay anything for your office visits and other routine services. Preventive coverage is available for $19 per month.
Pros
- No cost for office visits and other preventive services, making it cost-effective for basic dental care.
Cons
- Does not cover treatments beyond routine care, which may require additional insurance or out-of-pocket expenses.
3. Best for Those Without Traditional Insurance: Aetna
Aetna’s discount plan option is called Aetna® Vital Savings and allows access to select discounts on dental services. You’ll save 15% to 50% on dental services and treatments with your savings card.
Dental-only plan: Benefit from reduced prices ranging from 15% to 50% on a comprehensive suite of dental services, including cleanings, crowns, X-rays, braces and teeth whitening. The plan is accepted by over 262,000 dental providers nationwide.
Dental Plus Prescription Plan: This plan includes all the advantages of the dental-only option, with the addition of prescription drug discounts. Typically, you can save up to 60% on generic and at least 12% on brand-name medications at over 58,000 participating pharmacies.
Pros
- Access to a wide range of dental services at discounted rates can lead to substantial savings.
- The plan has a low cost of entry, making it an affordable option for individuals and families.
Cons
- Because it's a discount program and not insurance, users pay for services at the time of visit, which may not be preferable for everyone.
- Savings may vary, and not all services may be discounted, which could affect overall cost savings.
4. Best for Routine Dental Services With a One-time Deductible: Humana
Humana offers two dental-care options that come with no annual maximums.
Preventive Value: Humana’s Preventive Value plan offers coverage for routine services at no cost to you. The plan includes coverage for routine cleanings and exams, X-rays, fillings and simple extractions. There is a $50 individual lifetime deductible, and you can begin using your coverage without a waiting period.
Dental Savings Plan: In addition to a preventive insurance plan, Humana also offers a Dental Savings Plan for less than $8 a month. This plan is not a form of insurance but does include discounts on everything from fillings to dentures and orthodontics as long as you stay within Humana’s network.
Pros
- Broad range of discounted services including orthodontics, at an affordable monthly fee
- No waiting period for coverage to start and covers essential preventive services
Cons
Not an insurance plan, so it may not be suitable for people who prefer traditional insurance coverage.
5. Best for People Who May Need a Significant Amount of Dental Work: Careington
Unlike other dental coverage providers, Careington’s unique discount plans don’t limit the number of procedures you can undergo on your plan.
Savings range from 20% discounts for cosmetic procedures and orthodontics to 60% for routine treatments and services. Discount plan membership is available from $8.95 per month for individuals.
Pros
- No limits on the number of procedures and a wide range of services are discounted
Cons
- It's a discount plan, not insurance, so members must pay the discounted rate out of pocket at the time of service.
What is an Annual Maximum in Dental Insurance?
The annual maximum on your dental insurance plan is the total amount of money your dental insurance provider is willing to pay for your dental care needs in one year. In some cases, a dental insurance provider will place a limit on the total amount it’ll pay out throughout your life. For example, you might find a plan with a $1,000 annual maximum and a lifetime maximum of $50,000. If you reach your annual maximum, you’ll need to pay for 100% of your treatments out of pocket that year.
These limits can create problems if you require a major dental procedure. Imagine that you have a dental insurance policy with a $1,000 annual maximum and a 70% reimbursement level. You’ve already met your deductible, so you can begin using your insurance benefits. Now factor in that you need treatment for a major root canal. You receive treatment, and your dentist tells you that the cost of the treatment is $800.
In this example, you’ll use your insurance to pay for the majority of your treatment: $800 x 0.7 = $560, which is the amount of this procedure that your insurance covers. You’ll cover the remaining portion of your treatment costs. However, your maximum benefit is now $440 for the remainder of the year.
Later in the year, you need a crown, which ends up costing $900. Your portion is $900 x 0.7 = $630. However, because your insurance will only cover $440 worth of services for the remainder of the year, your insurance will release $440 to your dental care provider instead of the full 70% value of the treatment. You end up with a bill of $460 for this treatment. Your insurance provider won’t cover any percentage of the dental care that you receive before you reach your annual renewal date.
The bottom line: Once your insurance pays out your maximum benefit, you have no more insurance protection for the year. These factors make it important to choose a plan that offers a high annual maximum benefit.
Types of Dental Insurance
If you’re searching for a dental insurance plan without annual maximum benefits, you’ll be limited to a few choices, as annual maximums are now a common feature in the dental insurance industry. You can select from a few options to receive quality dental insurance that you can depend on.
Dental Health Maintenance Organizations (DHMOs)
DHMO plans operate in a similar manner as health maintenance organization (HMO) health insurance plans. DHMOs are the only type of dental insurance plan that comes without an annual maximum benefit limit. With a DHMO plan, you must see a dentist in your DHMO’s network. If you need to see a specialist, your dentist must refer you to one.
Most DHMO plans include annual cleaning and preventive treatments with $0 copays. If you need a more intensive procedure, you’ll usually need to make a copayment to receive treatment. Like most other types of insurance, DHMO plans may have a deductible that you must reach before you can begin using your benefits.
Dental Discount Plans
A dental discount plan is not the same thing as dental insurance. However, if you’re working on a very limited budget and you need coverage without an annual maximum benefit limit, a dental discount plan can provide you with a more affordable way to get coverage. There are also no deductibles associated with this option.
To join a dental discount plan, you’ll need to pay a membership fee instead of a monthly premium. The fees are usually affordable and are paid annually. After joining the plan, you’ll be provided with a membership card, which you’ll present to your dentist’s office at the time of service. In exchange, you’ll receive a discount on select services. Be sure to use your membership with a dentist who belongs to the plan and accepts discounts to get the most out of your plan. Now that you understand your options when it comes to finding dental insurance without an annual maximum, take a look at the options you have for dental insurance and protection.
Compare the Best Dental Insurance Providers
Dental insurance can be expensive, especially when you consider annual benefit limits. You can choose from a few dental insurance alternatives to protect your oral health without breaking the bank. Explore a few of Benzinga’s favorite options using the chart below.
- Best For:Young adults and families with children and teenssecurely through Guardian Dental Insurance's website
Finding Dental Insurance with No Annual Maximum Online
Many men and women are surprised at just how much even a minor oral health problem can cost them if they don’t have insurance. A single filling can cost more than $250, while more in-depth oral surgeries and procedures like dentures can cost more than $15,000. Understanding your insurance options and enrolling in a plan before you need to use your coverage can mean the difference between a healthy smile and putting off dental care for even longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does no annual maximum mean for dental insurance?
If a dental insurance plan has no annual maximum, it means that the insurance provider doesn’t put a cap on the total dollar amount of benefits you can claim in a year or throughout your enrollment. Most dental insurance plans include annual maximum limitations.
What do I do if my dental insurance is maxed out?
The first thing that you should do when you realize that you need dental work past your maximum limit is to talk with your dentist. Many dentists offer medical payment plans that allow you to pay for your care for months instead of all at once. Some dentists also offer cash payment discounts, which are separate from your insurance.
What is the cost of dental insurance plans with no annual maximum?
The cost of dental insurance plans without an annual maximum varies by provider and plan specifics but generally ranges from less than $10 to over $50 per month, depending on coverage levels and additional benefits included. It’s important to compare plans from different providers to understand the exact costs and services covered.
Dental Insurance Methodology
To determine the best dental insurance providers, we pored through all United States carriers. We winnowed the list by only including companies that have a wide coverage area and product offering. To further break down the list to the true best dental insurance providers, we gave weight to carriers that offer discounts, are available in all states and have multiple payment plan options.
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