Supplemental Dental Insurance (seeking advice) (HSA, plan, Metlife, Humana)

[cityhopper]

My work provides a basic dental plan (MetLife). I need substantial dental work (i.e., multiple fillings, root canal, deep cleaning and orthodontia services) and seek to obtain right combination of insurance plus HSA savings that will cover the costs.

Has anyone used Humana or Aflac? Did you receive benefit in excess of the monthly premium payments?

[golfgal]

Usually individual dental plans are pretty expensive in relation to what they actually pay out. Plans like AFLAC or other voluntary plans typically have some kind of a waiting period before they pay out and often the premiums you pay to get to through that waiting period end up costing more than the work itself.

If you are HSA eligible, that is a good way to pay if you have the funds. Just price out the plans and what they actually cover..and how long you have to wait...before you sign up for anything.

You could also check into local Dental schools. Often their costs are about 1/2 or better if they accept you as a patient.

[cityhopper]

Thanks for the feedback. I was considering Aflac but you make a valuable point regarding the waiting periods. I'm looking at Humana which does not have waiting periods and seems to provide more benefit in the long-run after the deductible and can work as a supplemental plan.

What is not covered by insurance will be supplemented by my HSA. While I hate to eat up a significant portion of the balance, I do not want to finance any major dental procedures.

[Ariadne22]

Physicians Mutual is offering UNLIMITED dental coverage. There is a one-year wait for the more expensive procedures.

But, if you anticipate significant dental work going forward, this is the best coverage I've seen of late - at a very reasonable premium. For over 50 y/o, $31/mo.

With this dental insurance, you have:

• No deductible
• Coverage for over 300 dental procedures, such as:
  • Preventive care (Benefits start immediately) — exams, cleanings and x-rays
  • Basic care (Benefits begin after just 3 months) — fillings and simple tooth extractions
  • Major care (Benefits begin after just 12 months) — crowns, bridges, root canals, dentures and treatments for gum disease
• Freedom to choose your own dentist with no network restrictions
• No annual or lifetime maximum on the amount of cash benefits you can collect
• Three benefit levels to choose from
• Plus, you can collect multiple benefits in one visit

https://www.physiciansmutual.com/cs/...gedetails.html

And - no networks. Most private plans won't pay out more than $1,000/year. Annual premiums $450/year, usually. Not worth it. I recently sent this link to a friend of mine whose hubby is needing really extensive work in the future.

Fwiw - I have my Medicare hd-F with Physicians Mutual. Didn't know they offered dental until I saw a TV ad a few weeks ago.

[cityhopper]

Thanks, I'll look into that plan to see if it can be used as a supplemental dental plan.