Immediate Coverage Dental Insurance

What Is Immediate Coverage?

Some dental plans describe themselves as “immediate coverage,” “instant coverage” or for “immediate use.” When a dental plan describes its coverage as “immediate” or “instant,” it is indicating that this plan does not have waiting periods on its primary benefits (i.e. the dental services it covers). A waiting period is a requirement for customers to be enrolled in the plan for a given length time (e.g. 6-months) before the plan will pay for a particular type of care (e.g. crowns). Waiting periods vary by dental plan but they are a routine aspect observed within the dental insurance market.

Sometimes a plan describing itself as immediate coverage may have a waiting period for orthodontic benefits such as braces. Orthodontic care, as well as cosmetic dentistry like teeth whitening, is not viewed as a core benefit and may have a waiting period even on a plan that claims instant coverage. Core benefits are not a consistent set of covered dental services but usually come in the form of preventive care (e.g. annual exams and teeth cleaning), basic care (e.g. fillings, extractions), and major care (e.g. root canals, crowns).

A dental plan without waiting periods allows an enrollee to use the plan's benefits once the plan is active. A dental plan is active after a consumer has submitted an application, paid the monthly premium, and has reached the plan’s effective date (which is the first day the plan’s coverage starts). For an additional discussion on effective dates, see our article Dental Insurance No Waiting Period.

Fact vs. Fiction in Immediate Coverage

Immediate coverage does not mean there is absolutely no delay from the time a consumer applies for insurance to the time the insurance can be used.

First, a consumer must wait for the dental plan’s effective date for insurance coverage to begin. The effective date is the beginning of the insurance coverage period.

Second, a plan may have a deductible that requires a specific amount of out-of-pocket spending on dental care by the enrollee before the insurance begins to pay for services. Usually, dental plan deductibles are modest (e.g. $50 - $100 per enrollee on the plan). Some dental plans have no deductibles.

Third, waiting periods may still exist for dental services outside core benefits (such as cosmetic procedures and braces).

Fourth, immediate coverage is limited to the benefits within the dental plan. The dental services covered by insurance varies from plan to plan and is not standardized. Always review the details on a dental plan to confirm the breadth of its coverage. You can make this review by reading the online Plan Details for the insurance or reading the plan’s summary of benefits.

Dental Insurance Immediate Coverage

The below list includes dental plans in each state (and Washington D.C.) that have immediate coverage without waiting periods for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Some of these plans may not be available in every county of the state for which it’s listed. Also, remember that benefits begin on the policy’s effective date.

Be certain to check the plan details page to make certain there have not been any updates that introduce a waiting period. Once you’ve finished reviewing the plans, you can also get personalized dental plan quotes for your age and zip code with just a few clicks.

Review Plans Offered in Your Area

Click our Dental Insurance link here and shop plans available in your zip code.