Delta Dental Insurance Review

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Contributor, Benzinga
March 11, 2022

Delta Dental is a dental insurance company with over 80 million members and a network of nearly 339,000 dentists nationwide. As the largest dental insurer in the U.S., Delta Dental offers coverage for individuals and families and small businesses and retirees. With over 60 years of experience, Delta Dental offers some of America’s best dental insurance plans.

Best For
  • Orthodontic procedures
  • Cleaning and exams
Pros
  • Nationwide coverage available
  • Multiple dental insurance options
  • Price matches discount providers
  • No waiting period for preventative treatments
Cons
  • Availability varies by state

Delta Dental Insurance Ratings at a Glance

Delta Dental Policy Options
Delta Dental Customer Service
Delta Dental Pricing
Delta Dental Mobile App
Delta Dental User Benefits
Delta Dental Application Process
Delta Dental Overall

Delta Dental Policy Options

Delta Dental offers five different dental insurance plans to accommodate various dental and orthodontic care needs. In addition, Delta Dental offers a vision insurance policy. Benzinga rates Delta Dental 4.5 out of five for its comprehensive coverage options.

  • DeltaCare USA (HMO): Most affordable – pay a low or no copay for preventative care; pick a dentist from a network.
  • Delta Dental Patient Direct: Fastest and easiest – select a participating network dentist who charges lower costs; pay the dentist immediately with no paperwork to submit.
  • Delta Dental PPO: Most balanced prices for services – gain access to a network of dentists that accept lower rates; the cheapest out-of-pocket payments.
  • Delta Dental Premier: Best in-network – a fee-for-service plan with the widest network of practitioners; you only pay the copay and deductible.
  • Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier: Most extensive – combines the PPO and Premier networks; obtain the advantage of the contracted charge of that dentist even if you are not in-network.
  • Delta Vision: Additional coverage – savings on eye tests, contact lenses, glasses and laser vision correction. You can purchase Delta Vision as a standalone policy or part of your dental plan.

Because every individual’s dental needs are unique, no single policy works for everyone. You need to consider which services you and your family might need. Then, you can compare your needs to the services and prices for each policy.

Unfortunately, not every policy is available in every state, so some individuals may not find ideal coverage through Delta.

Individuals and Families

The DeltaCare USA plan is ideal for low-income families since it has cheap monthly rates, no annual limit and no deductible for preventative care such as cleanings and checkups. The Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier policy provides a broader range of dentists for families that want more comprehensive coverage.

The policy includes preventative treatments such as cleanings, examinations and more significant dental operations like root canals or crowns.

Senior Coverage

For seniors on Medicare that want to visit an in-network dentist, the Delta Patient Direct plan offers a convenient membership deal in exchange for discounts. On the other hand, seniors that need extensive dental work should consider a Dental PPO or Premier policy.

Delta Dental's plan offerings depend on your state, so make sure you understand the specific plan details before committing to dental coverage. For example, you may need to know if there is a waiting period for certain services or the cost of individual services.

Small Businesses

Delta Dental offers group dental insurance plans for small business employers in addition to individual, family and senior policies. Dental benefits can be vital to employees as part of their remuneration package, and Delta Dental's countrywide network protects more smiles than any other dental insurance provider.

Retirees

For retirees looking for affordable Dental Insurance or comprehensive plans, Delta Dental has options for everyone. You will want to consider multiple factors in choosing a dental plan, and one size does not fit all.

One way you can approach shopping is to try to anticipate the specific coverage needs of each member of your family. Also, evaluate which plan is financially feasible by looking at things like annual maximums and deductibles and the types of covered services to ensure that you receive the level of care you require.

You can find a cost estimator at the Delta Dental website to determine how much coverage you need and which plan fits your budget. Remember, prices and services vary according to state. You can also search for a dentist in your area to get care.

Delta Dental Customer Service

The customer service quality varies across Delta Dental locations. According to BBB and Consumer Affairs website’s mixed reviews, Delta’s customer service rating has room for improvement.

You can contact Delta Dental by sending an online message via the customer inquiry form. In addition, you can search for a local office to get the phone number, fax, email, and mailing address of a local representative.

Delta Dental Pricing

Prices depend on your state, plan, group insurance changes and employer contributions. Overall, family plan values are exceptional and offer significant discounts.

If you need preventative care procedures, including checkups, cleanings, and bitewing x-rays, Delta’s plans offer some of the most affordable solutions on the marketplace. You can also get coverage for out-of-network dentists, but you may have to pay a higher premium for the privilege.

Another distinguishing aspect is that treatments have a maximum price instead of reimbursing you for a portion like other insurance companies.

Delta Dental Mobile App

The Delta Dental mobile app for iOS or Android provides access to a mobile ID card, dentist locator and cost estimator. But policyholders can also find these tools on the company’s website. Many users gave the app a poor review because of its lack of valuable features. The ability to view claims status or make payments would be convenient but is not available via the app.

Delta Dental User Benefits

Some Delta Dental user benefits include a dentist locator, cost estimator and resources for keeping your smile healthy.

The dentist finder on the app or homepage helps policyholders locate a nearby dentist. You can search for a specialist or find a dentist under your specific dental plan.

Another tool on Delta’s app or homepage is the cost estimator, which helps consumers calculate various treatment costs by zip code.

Delta Dental has an extensive resource library that promotes good oral hygiene and provides information about its benefits. Some resources include SmileWay, which provides engaging oral health activities, knowledge and tools for the entire family.

Grin! is Delta Dental’s e-magazine with dental health announcements and recommendations. MySmileKids also provides educational resources such as stories, contests and pointers for teachers and children.

Delta Dental Application Process

If you are shopping for dental insurance, Delta Dental is an excellent option but not necessarily via the app. The insurer provides five different dental plans, making it simple to locate cheap coverage. Delta Dental has group plans available to individuals, rather than just corporations, enabling individuals to obtain the same dental coverage that companies provide.

Despite the mixed customer service reviews, Delta Dental offers Americans some of the most comprehensive and affordable coverage choices nationwide in most regions. The preventative services keep your smile healthy over the long term, helping minimize the need for costly procedures.

Some of the plans are immensely beneficial to families or individuals who require more comprehensive dental treatment. The reimbursement for specific procedures is transparent, making budgeting simple. Overall, if Delta Dental is accessible in your state, it is worth investigating as a potential insurer.

Delta Dental vs Competitors

Dental care is essential for your total health care. Oral health and dental cleanliness benefit your heart and general wellness. Dental insurance can assist you in defraying the expense of oral treatment that will assist you in maintaining your dental health. As you look at their policies, you can assume that generally:

  • Preventive care services, such as cleanings and X-rays, are 100% covered.
  • Meanwhile, all basic and major dental and orthodontic care procedures, like root canals, implants and crowns, are covered at 50%.
  • Compared to its competitors, Delta Dental has the nation’s largest network of dentists, some of the best discounts and the most affordable premiums.
  • Most providers do not provide low-cost orthodontic options, but Delta Dental has several plans that include orthodontic therapy for both children and adults.

Delta Dental Overall

Delta Dental’s broad network makes it easy to find a dentist, and the company offers a wide range of coverage options to meet any budget. You can contact customer service or search for a local office directly through its website when you need assistance.

Before purchasing a dental insurance plan, you should consider each plan's benefits and how it fits in with your monthly budget. Consumers should also determine how much is covered under the plan, when payments are due and the usefulness of the online portal or app. Overall, Delta Dental provides quality coverage and service.

Delta Dental provides excellent dental insurance packages but does not always excel in customer service. Contacting Delta Dental can sometimes prove challenging, as complaints about its customer service have been reported online, which is why Delta Dental earns a rating of 4/5 instead of 5/5.

The good news is that the number of options helps make dental plans more accessible. Delta Dental is one of the most affordable companies available to most Americans, and many people can access affordable plans without having to spend much time shopping around.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

Is Delta Dental good insurance?

A

Delta Dental has decades of expertise and outstanding ratings from AM Best and the BBB. However, it has received conflicting consumer feedback, which means coverage may be better in some areas than others.

Q

Does Delta Dental cover implants?

A

Yes. The two Delta Dental plans covering implants include the Delta Dental PPO and Delta Dental Premier policies.

User Reviews

JimmyN

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

Deductible on preventive procedures and copays for my child's sealants. This should be illegal.

Michael freid

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

Very poor. Still waiting for them to reimburse me for dental work completed last summer!! Numerous claims submitted by myself and my dentist!! Nothing!! Considering legal action!!

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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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About Maurice Draine

Maurice Draine is a former insurance agent, broker, underwriter tech, and agent sales support rep with over 15 years of professional writing experience. Maurice helps insurance, financial, and various online and ad agencies, create the words that drive customers to their websites and keeps them there.