Stand-Alone Dental Plan

What Is A Stand Alone Dental Plan?

Stand-alone dental plans, as the name suggests, refers to the dental coverage you purchase that is separate from your actual health insurance plan. It’s not uncommon for health insurance companies to sell both dental and vision as supplemental plans to your existing policy, and that’s where stand-alone dental coverage comes into play.

Where Can You Get Stand-Alone Dental Plans?

If you’re looking to enroll in dental coverage, you can typically find dental plans through the same companies you purchase your health insurance plan. In fact, some insurers may even offer discounts on dental and vision coverage if you were to bundle all your plans through them.

However, if you choose to purchase a health insurance policy from a company that does not offer dental coverage, you can find stand-alone dental plans in a couple of different ways. First, you can go through insurers that specialize in dental coverage. Second, you can opt to go through the health insurance marketplace, and purchase a stand-alone dental plan on the federal or state exchange.

When You Can Get Dental Coverage

You can get dental coverage at any point throughout the year. Unlike health insurance, the Affordable Care Act never required Americans to have dental or vision coverage, so there is no need to wait until the Open Enrollment Period to get coverage for your pearly whites.

Who Should Consider Stand Alone Dental Coverage

Unless you already have dental coverage, or your health insurance covers dental, you should consider enrolling in a stand-alone dental plan. Just like health insurance, dental plans are there to protect you in the event of an oral emergency. Enrolling in dental coverage can end up saving you a fortune at the dentist, and also covers much of the preventive services you need to keep your mouth clean and cavity free.

Most dental plans are relatively affordable compared to health insurance policies and come with small copays and other out-of-pocket expenses. Premiums for dental plans are inexpensive as well, with some plans allowing you to get full coverage for under $10 each month.