Does Dental Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening?

Contents

• Introduction
• Types of teeth whitening treatments from the dentist and over-the-counter
• A list of dental plans with teeth whitening coverage

Introduction to Teeth Whitening

There are a variety of ways to lighten the color of your teeth, ranging from over-the-counter toothpastes and whitening kits to professional whitening performed in a dentist’s office. All forms of teeth whitening are a form of cosmetic dental care. Cosmetic dentistry is often omitted from insurance coverage but there are dental plans that include teeth whitening as a benefit.

Types of Teeth Whitening Treatments

If a dental plan includes a teeth whitening benefit, the whitening covered is the type delivered by a dentist (you can always confirm this in a dental plan's Summary of Benefits brochure). There are other ways to whiten your teeth that are likely excluded from this coverage such as:

• Over-the-counter whitening toothpastes (“over-the-counter” means the product can be purchased without a prescription in a retail store like a grocery or pharmacy)
• Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits
• Laser teeth whitening provided outside a dental office
• Whitening services provided by an out-of-network dentist

For a more extensive discussion of whitening options, see our article “What's The Best Way to Whiten My Teeth?”

Which Dental Plans Cover Teeth Whitening

We’ve assembled a list of dental plans in each state that include some level of cover for teeth whitening. This is not a comprehensive list but a quick way to find a couple options available in your area. Please note dental plans cover teeth whitening at differing levels and cost-sharing. Out0-of-pocket estimates assume in-network providers and a satisfied deductible. Be certain to review the Plan Details for a given product to gain more information on the teeth whitening benefit conditions summarized below.

State	Insurance Company	Plan
Alabama	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
		6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Alaska	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Arizona	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Arkansas	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
California	MetLife	TakeAlong Dental HMO-Managed Care 350 (Low)
	No waiting period. $125 copayment for external bleaching, per arch.
	California Dental Network	Plan 595
	No waiting period. $250 copayment per arch for external bleaching, performed in office. $125 copayment per arch for external bleaching, for home application.
Colorado	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Classic
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
Connecticut	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Gold
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Silver
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
Delaware	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
Florida	Guardian	Managed DentalGuard
	No waiting period. $165 copayment for external bleaching – per arch.
	MetLife	TakeAlong Dental HMO-Managed Care 245 (High)
	No waiting period. $125 copayment for external bleaching, per arch.
Georgia	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Incentive
	No waiting period. 30% of costs covered in 1st year of enrollment, 40% in the 2nd, 50% in the 3rd and after. One per tooth per 12 months up tp $250 benefit lifetime maximum.
	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Gold
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
Hawaii	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Idaho	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Illinois	Guardian	Managed DentalGuard
	No waiting period. $165 copayment for external bleaching – per arch.
	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
Indiana	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Platinum
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Gold
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
Iowa	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Kansas	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Kentucky	Delta Dental of Kentucky	Happy Smiles
	No waiting period. 10% of costs covered in 1st year of enrollment, 30% in the 2nd, 50% in the 3rd and after. External bleaching procedures are covered once per 12 month period per arch; internal bleaching procedures are covered once per tooth per 12 month period
	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Louisiana	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Maine	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Incentive
	No waiting period. 30% of costs covered in 1st year of enrollment, 40% in the 2nd, 50% in the 3rd and after. One per tooth per 12 months up tp $250 benefit lifetime maximum.
	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Platinum
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
Maryland	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Massachusetts	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
Michigan	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
Minnesota	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
	Humana	Bright Plus
	$100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
Mississippi	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Missouri	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Montana
	We didn't find any Montana dental plans in our inventory that had teeth whitening coverage
Nebraska	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Nevada	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Gold
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Platinum
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
New Hampshire	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Silver
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
New Jersey	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
New Mexico	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
New York	Empire Blue	Essential Choice Gold
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
	Guardian	Managed DentalGuard
	No waiting period. $165 copayment for external bleaching – per arch.
North Carolina	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
North Dakota	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Ohio	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Silver
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Gold
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
Oklahoma	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Oregon	Dental Health Services	Super SmartSmile
	No waiting period. $100 copayment for external bleaching (per tooth).
	Dental Health Services	SmartSmile
	No waiting period. $100 copayment for external bleaching (per tooth).
Pennsylvania	Humana	Bright Plus
	$100 copayment for internal bleaching (per tooth). $200 copayment for external bleaching – per arch.
	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Rhode Island	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
South Carolina	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
South Dakota	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Tennessee	Delta Dental of Tennessee	Brighter Advantage
	No waiting period. 25% of costs covered in 1st year of enrollment, 50% in the 2nd and after. External bleaching procedures are covered once per 12 month period per arch; internal bleaching procedures are covered once per tooth per 12 month period.
	Delta Dental of Tennessee	Essential Advantage
	No waiting period. 10% of costs covered in 1st year of enrollment, 25% in the 2nd and after. External bleaching procedures are covered once per 12 month period per arch; internal bleaching procedures are covered once per tooth per 12 month period.
Texas	MetLife	TakeAlong Dental HMO-Managed Care 245 (High)
	No waiting period. $125 copayment for external bleaching, per arch.
	MetLife	TakeAlong Dental HMO-Managed Care 350 (Low)
	No waiting period. $125 copayment for external bleaching, per arch.
Utah	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Vermont	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Virginia	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Gold
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Platinum
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
Washington State
	We didn't find any Washington State dental plans in our inventory that had no waiting period
Washington D.C.	Humana	Bright Plus
	No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
West Virginia	Guardian	Advantage Diamond
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Wisconsin	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Incentive
	No waiting period. 30% of costs covered in 1st year of enrollment, 40% in the 2nd, 50% in the 3rd and after. One per tooth per 12 months up tp $250 benefit lifetime maximum.
	Anthem BlueCross BlueShield	Essential Choice Silver
	6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
Wyoming	Careington	500 Series Dental Savings (Discount Program, Not Insurance)
	No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
	Note: Plans may not be available in all areas within a state.

Teeth Whitening Near Me

You can discover if your area has more plans covering teeth whitening with a little more effort. First, enter your zip code on the dental insurance quote page and see what local plans are available. Second, for a plan that interests you, confirm it covers teeth whitening by reviewing its coverage on the Plan Details page. The Plan Details button is on the right-hand side of the page, below the monthly premium and above the Apply Now button.

After you click the Plan Details button, move down the Plan Details page. You will find the label “Teeth Whitening” and information regarding whether the plan covers that dental service.