Ohio Dental Insurance Plans

Dental Benefits in Ohio

Dental plans in Ohio have a range of benefit designs. Some plans have a narrow coverage of preventive care and basic dental services such as fillings and extractions. Other plans have more comprehensive features that include major dental services such as crowns and periodontal care. Another differentiating feature among Ohio dental plans is the maximum benefit, which is the most the insurer will pay toward an enrollees dental care within a year. Some plans have a modest plan maximum (e.g. $500 during the first year of enrollment) while others have generous maximums in the amount of several thousand dollars.

When comparing dental benefits, it wise to review the level of coverage for care such as:

• Annual exams and teeth cleaning
• X-rays
• Teeth extractions
• Traditional silver filling
• White filling
• Tooth extraction
• Crown
• Root canal
• Periodontal deep cleanings
• Tooth implants
• Dentures
• Teeth whitening

Premiums and Deductibles in Ohio

A recent review of 33 dental plans offered in Ohio established some characteristics of premiums for these plans. Price quotes for a 33 year-old living in the state found the least expensive option within the two dozen reviewed was a discount dental program. The Careington 500 Series Dental Savings discount card charged only $8.95 a month for access to a dental network where care could be received at reduced rates.The most expensive was the Humana Extend 5000 Plan that supplements traditional dental coverage with vision benefits. The monthly premium for this plan was $93.99. This plan had broad benefits including supplemental vision benefits. The plans also had a $5,000 maximum benefit. This amount was matched by one plan, the NCD Nationwide 5000 plan, and only exceeded by the NCD Complete by MetLife (which had a $10,000 maximum benefit each year). For all of the Ohio PPO and indemnity dental plans, the average maximum benefit was $2,071.

When you consider all 33 options, the average premium was $42.56 a month.

Alongside the monthly premium, consumers must consider a plan’s out-of-pocket costs for dental care and deductibles. A deductible is amount that must be spent on dental care before the plan will begin paying a portion of the costs. The average for the plans surveyed in Ohio was $59.09.

Safety Net Dental Care Programs

Ohio has about 160 programs providing basic dental care and these centers are collectively known as "Safety Net Dental Care Programs." The programs are sponsored by community health centers, local health departments, as well as Ohio hospitals. Safety Net programs are part of Medicaid, a health coverage offered in collaboration between the state and the federal government. For more information, see the Safety Net Dental Care Programs brochure.