A Look at Dental Insurance Companies

When choosing dental insurance, it is handy to know what dental companies exist and what their basic price ranges are. Dental insurance can be hard to select when you don't know the basics. The following plans are available in the majority of the states.

Aetna Dental Access:

With Aetna, coverage is available throughout the United States. 2006 prices for Aetna coverage is $100 for an individual and $150 for a family per year. Aetna Dental Access is not a traditional insurance plan. Instead, it is a dental discount card that gives you savings of up to 50% on all dental procedures and preventative care.

American Dental Professional Services:

ADPS is the result of a merger between two dental associations. The company's goal is to offer a wide variety of dental plans that are affordable to all. They offer both dental insurance plans and discount cards.

Ameritas:

Ameritas has plans for individuals, small businesses, and larger businesses. Plans range from traditional managed care plans to flex plans. Let them prove what a difference thirty years of experience can make.

CIGNA Dental:

CIGNA blends health insurance with dental insurance for combined savings. With a century of experience and strong financial resources, CIGNA has proven they are here to stay.

Delta Dental:

Delta Dental is the largest dental insurance company in the United States. Founded in the 1950s, Delta Dental promises low rates, excellent coverage, and fuss-free claims.

First Dental Health:

First Dental Health is available on the west coast. The company offers a variety of HMO-style plans and their special EPO plan that allows you access to more than 9,000 dentists.

They also offer a discount dental card for either $64 (individual) or $94 (family) per year. Discounts of up to 60% are available with many excellent dentists and orthodontists.

Guardian:

Guardian offers both Pre-Paid and HMO-style plans through their subsidiary DentalGuard. Founded in 1860, Guardian offers excellent health, dental, life, and disability insurance. With more than $24 billion in assets, the firm is financially sound.

Humana Dental:

Humana Dental has four plans: DHMO, PPO, Preventative Plus, and Traditional. DHMO’s are the least expensive with a co-pay instead of a fixed percentage, but they also limit the number of dentists you may see. Humana offers competitive rates and excellent customer service.

MetLife:

MetLife offers a dental plan in which they negotiate lower fees with area dentists. The plan is usually inexpensive, but the coverage will not be as substantial as it is with a PPO or DHMO plan.

Safeguard Dental:

Safeguard Dental is a popular choice with small businesses. The company offers competitive rates for groups as small as five participants.

United Health Care Dental:

United Health Care offers either a PPO plan (you pick a dentist and they lower the costs and you pay your share) or a traditional plan (you pay the entire bill and then file a claim to get the insurance company to reimburse you their portion.)

Wellpoint Dental:

Wellpoint offers dental plans in fourteen states. Run by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the coverage is great. You must reside in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia, or Wisconsin to be eligible.