Dental Insurance Covering Implants
Contents
- Dental insurance implant coverage
- Dental insurance for implants - Benefit Conditions
- State-by-state examples of dental implants covered by insurance
Dental Insurance Implant Coverage
While commonly thought of as an artificial tooth, a dental implant technically is the instrument (e.g. a metal post) surgically inserted into the jaw (or skull if it's an upper tooth). The instrument functions similar to the original tooth root and on it a crown (or other device such as a bridge) is attached. Dental implants are a common restorative procedure for patients with a missing tooth. If an implant requires extensive work on the part of the dentist, the cost may reach several thousand dollars. Comprehensive insurance coverage with implant benefits can greatly reduce a patient's out-of-pocket costs in this scenario.
The benefits of implants go beyond aesthetics. They can help a patient with chewing as well as preserving the health of the jaw, gums, and surrounding teeth. Lost teeth that go untreated can lead to changes in diet and a resulting decline overall health.
Dental insurance plans vary on their coverage of implants. Many plans classify implants as a form of “major” dental care. Major care represents higher cost dental services. These services often come with a requirement of a copayment or a coinsurance fee (a coinsurance fee is an out-of-pocket charge equal to a percentage of the overall cost of the dental care).
Dental Insurance for Implants - Benefit Conditions
Dental plans can cover implants in different ways. They can vary by the range of services insurance will pay for as well as the out-of-pocket cost obligations for the patient. Below are examples of differing coverage of implants among plans.
Example 1
Implants:
$1500 for surgical placement of implant body
The $1,500 limit includes the cost of, and placement of, a healing cap when required.
Example 2
Implants:
12-month waiting period before coverage begins.
50% coverage of cost after deductible is satisfied.
Implants are covered on teeth extracted while on the plan.
Implants and implant supported prosthesis covered under this plan are limited to:
1) the replacement of permanent teeth extracted while insured under this plan, or
2) the replacement of a prior Implant if it has been at least seven years since the prior insertion and is not and cannot be made serviceable.
In the above example, the enrollee must have been participating in the dental plan for at least a year before the plan will cover implant care.
Example 3
Implants:
In-Network Coverage
1st year – 20% after deductible
2nd year – 30% after deductible
3rd year and after – 50% after deductible
In this example, the insurance plan increases its coverage for implant care the longer the enrollee belongs to the plan. The plan will only pay for care delivered by an in-network plan dentist.
Dental Implant Covered by Insurance
Now that you are educated on the basics of implant coverage, it’s time to start reviewing plans. There are many dental plans whose insurance benefits include implants. The below list provides examples of dental plans covering implants. Please make note that:
- This is not a exhaustive list
- Out-of-pocket costs (e.g. copayments) and waiting periods may apply
- Always review the plan details to confirm implant coverage & identify any waiting periods
- The dental plans below include traditional PPO and HMO dental insurance as well as a dental discount plan
One last reminder - some plans listed may not be available in every region of the state in which it’s offered.
| State | Insurance Company | Plan |
| Alabama | NCD Nationwide | 5000 Plan |
| Ameritas | Dallas Smile Plan | |
| Alaska | MetLife | TakeAlong Dental Medium |
| Careington | 500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance) | |
| Arizona | Ameritas | Dallas Smile Plan |
| NCD Nationwide | 1500 Plan | |
| Arkansas | Renaissance Dental | Plan III |
| Guardian Direct | Advantage Diamond | |
| California | California Dental Network | Plan 595 |
| Dental Health Services | Super SmartSmile | |
| Colorado | Anthem | Essential Choice Premier |
| Renaissance Dental | Max Choice | |
| Connecticut | Anthem | Essential Choice Platinum |
| Guardian Direct | Advantage Achiever | |
| Delaware | Dominion National | Select Plan Basic |
| Dominion National | Select Plan Premium | |
| Florida | MetLife | TakeAlong Dental High |
| Guardian Direct | Advantage Achiever | |
| Georgia | MetLife | TakeAlong Dental Medium |
| NCD Nationwide | 3000 Plan | |
| Hawaii | Ameritas | Dallas Smile Plan |
| Careington | 500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance) | |
| Idaho | Renaissance Dental | Plan II |
| Guardian Direct | Advantage Core | |
| Illinois | MetLife | TakeAlong Dental High |
| Ameritas | Dallas Smile Plan | |
| Indiana | Anthem | Essential Choice Platinum |
| Anthem | Essential Choice Incentive | |
| Iowa | Careington | 500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance) |
| NCD Nationwide | 1500 Plan | |
| Kansas | Renaissance Dental | Plan III |
| Guardian Direct | Advantage Diamond | |
| Kentucky | Delta Dental of Kentucky | Bright smiles |
| Delta Dental of Kentucky | Vibrant Smiles | |
| Louisiana | Ameritas | Dallas Smile Plan |
| MetLife | TakeAlong Dental Medium | |
| Maine | Anthem | Essential Choice Incentive |
| Renaissance Dental | Plan III | |
| Maryland | Dominion National | Select Plan Basic |
| Careington | 500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance) | |
| Massachusetts | Guardian Direct | Advantage Core |
| Renaissance Dental | Plan II | |
| Michigan | Ameritas | Dallas Smile Plan |
| MetLife | TakeAlong Dental High | |
| Minnesota | Careington | 500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance) |
| Guardian Direct | Advantage Achiever | |
| Mississippi | NCD Nationwide | 5000 Plan |
| Renaissance Dental | MAX Choice Plus | |
| Missouri | Ameritas | Dallas Smile Plan |
| Careington | 500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance) | |
| Montana | Renaissance Dental | Plan III |
| MetLife | TakeAlong Dental Medium | |
| Nebraska | NCD Nationwide | 1500 Plan |
| NCD Nationwide | 5000 Plan | |
| Nevada | Anthem | Essential Choice Platinum |
| Guardian Direct | Advantage Core | |
| New Hampshire | Anthem | Essential Choice Incentive |
| Careington | 500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance) | |
| New Jersey | MetLife | TakeAlong Dental Medium |
| Ameritas | Dallas Smile Plan | |
| New Mexico | NCD Nationwide | 5000 Plan |
| Ameritas | Dallas Smile Plan | |
| New York | Empire BlueCross BlueShield | Essential Choice Platinum |
| Ameritas Life of NY | Dallas Smile Plan | |
| North Carolina | Renaissance Dental | Max Choice |
| NCD Nationwide | 1500 Plan | |
| North Dakota | Ameritas | Dallas Smile Plan |
| Careington | 500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance) | |
| Ohio | Anthem | Essential Choice Platinum |
| Guardian Direct | Advantage Achiever | |
| Oklahoma | MetLife | TakeAlong Dental High |
| Renaissance Dental | Plan II | |
| Oregon | Dental Health Services | SmartSmile |
| NCD Nationwide | 1500 Plan | |
| Pennsylvania | Dominion National | Select Plan Basic |
| Ameritas | Dallas Smile Plan | |
| Rhode Island | Careington | 500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance) |
| Guardian Direct | Advantage Core | |
| South Carolina | Anthem | Essential Choice Incentive |
| Anthem | Essential Choice Platinum | |
| South Dakota | Renaissance Dental | Plan III |
| MetLife | TakeAlong Dental Medium | |
| Tennessee | Delta Dental of Tennesee | Brighter Advantage |
| Delta Dental of Tennesee | Superior Advantage | |
| Texas | NCD Nationwide | 3000 Plan |
| Guardian Direct | Advantage Diamond | |
| Utah | Ameritas | Dallas Smile Plan |
| MetLife | TakeAlong Dental High | |
| Vermont | Ameritas | Dallas Smile Plan |
| Renaissance Dental | MAX Choice Plus | |
| Virginia | Dominion National | Select Plan Basic |
| Dominion National | Select Plan Premium | |
| Washington State | Guardian Direct | Advantage Achiever |
| MetLife | TakeAlong Dental Medium | |
| Washington D.C. | Dominion National | Select Plan Premium |
| Careington | 500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance) | |
| West Virginia | Ameritas | Dallas Smile Plan |
| Careington | 500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance) | |
| Wisconsin | Anthem | Essential Choice Platinum |
| Anthem | Essential Choice Incentive | |
| Wyoming | Renaissance Dental | Plan III |
| NCD Nationwide | 1500 Plan |
Review Plans Available in Your Area
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