Your options.
| Option | What to know |
|---|---|
| Marketplace dental plan | Added when you enroll on HealthCare.gov. Premium tax credits generally do not apply to stand-alone dental. |
| Stand-alone dental plan | Bought any time of year from an insurer or agent. Often has waiting periods for major work. |
| Stand-alone vision plan | Covers eye exams and an allowance for glasses or contacts. |
| Dental discount plan | Not insurance. You pay a membership fee for reduced prices at participating dentists. |
How dental plans are built.
- Preventive (cleanings, exams, X-rays): usually covered at a high percentage.
- Basic (fillings, simple extractions): usually covered partially after a deductible.
- Major (crowns, bridges, root canals, dentures): lower coverage and often a waiting period.
- Annual maximum: most plans cap what they pay per person per year.
If you need major work soon, compare waiting periods first; a plan with no waiting period but a higher premium can cost less overall.
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Get my free optionsQuestions people ask.
Can I get dental insurance any time of year?
Stand-alone dental and vision plans sold outside HealthCare.gov can usually be bought any time. Marketplace dental follows Open Enrollment and Special Enrollment Periods.
Do ACA plans include adult dental?
Adult dental is not a required benefit on Marketplace health plans. Children's dental is.
Sources.
- HealthCare.gov, Dental coverage in the Marketplace. healthcare.gov
- Texas Department of Insurance, Alternative health plans and supplemental coverage. tdi.texas.gov
General information for Texas and Oklahoma residents, not tax or legal advice. Rules and numbers can change; this page is reviewed on the date shown above. Your eligibility and prices are set by HealthCare.gov or the insurer when you apply.
Who wrote this.
RedHealth Advisors LLC is a licensed health insurance agency in Round Rock, Texas (Texas agency license 3449979, NPN 22110493), serving Texas and Oklahoma. Ryan Hutson is a licensed agent (NPN 21321807). Licensing details.