Notice:
Dental Plans for Seniors and Retirees
Need help finding a dental plan? Use our
Interactive Plan Finder
Optimum Plan*NEW for 2025. Cost-sharing for cosmetic teeth whitening and veneers. Highest maximum and coverage on major procedures. Monthly Premium |
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Premium PlanHigh maximum, three periodontal maintenance cleanings, and lifetime policy deductible. Monthly Premium |
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Ascent PlanNo waiting period and coverage that increases over the first two years you renew. Monthly Premium |
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Enhanced Plan100% coverage on most preventive care services and 50% on most major procedures. Monthly Premium |
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Clear PlanNo guessing, fixed-out-of-pocket costs, no waiting periods or dollar maximums. Monthly Premium |
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Delta Dental of Washington for Seniors on Medicare– Don’t miss out on critical dental benefits
Many older Americans are missing out on dental coverage because not all Medicare and Medigap programs cover dental. To ensure you have access to the dental coverage you need, a supplemental dental benefits plan can provide those critical dental benefits that your Medicare or health insurance plans may not cover. If you find yourself without dental coverage, consider one of our Delta Dental of Washington Individual and Family Plans for seniors.
Waiting Periods
A waiting period refers to a period of time before your full dental benefits kick in. During this time, your dental plan may not cover certain procedures.
The waiting period for Individual and Family Plans may be waived if there is continuous coverage with no more than a 63-day gap between previous dental plans. The length of prior coverage required aligns with the plan’s waiting period. Please reference the full policy for full details.
As noted, the Ascent Plan and Clear Plan have no waiting periods. Additionally, services subject to waiting periods differ depending on the plan.
Understanding the Definitions and Differences Among Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)
Medicare is a federal program run by a branch of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. It is available to most people aged 65 or older, younger people with disabilities, and people with End Stage Renal Disease. There are several variations of Medicare coverage including Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap).
Original Medicare "Pays providers the Medicare-approved rates for covered services per Medicare rules and regulations and covers medically-necessary and outpatient health care." It does NOT cover services like routine vision, hearing or dental care.
Medicare Advantage consists of hospital insurance and medical insurance plus usually a Medicare Drug plan. Note that Medicare Advantage may offer some extra benefits like vision, hearing, and dental services. However, these plans may still only offer limited coverage for certain benefits.
Medigap is Medicare Supplement Insurance that helps fill ‘gaps’ in Original Medicare and is sold by private companies. They typically do NOT cover vision or dental services.
Wondering if you qualify for Medicare? Check your eligibility using Medicare’s Online Eligibility and Premium Calculator.
Learn More
Medicare Basics: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/medicare-basics/how-does-medicare-work
Medicare and Oral Health (Kaiser Family Foundation): https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/drilling-down-on-dental-coverage-and-costs-for-medicare-beneficiaries/
Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/your-coverage-options/compare-original-medicare-medicare-advantage
Additional content from Delta Dental of Washington:
How much does dental insurance cost?
Is dental insurance worth it?
Enrolling your senior parent in dental benefits
Dental Terms Demystified: annual maximum, deductible, copays, coinsurance
*Optimum Plan effective dates as early as January 1, 2025
i. These are benefit highlights only. Monthly premiums shown are examples of monthly rates for subscriber-only in Washington, effective January 2025. Actual rates may vary (higher or lower) based on plan effective date, plan choice, your age, your location, number of people insured, their age, and relationship to you. For full details of plan, benefits, and pricing, please visit DeltaDentalCoversMe.com.
ii. Individual 12-month contracted rate.
iii. Individual 12-month contracted rate for ages 51+. Actual rate may be lower depending on age.
iv. Excludes back teeth tooth-colored fillings.
v. A Pretreatment Estimate is suggested. Clinical requirements must be met, crowns covered at 50% per tooth every seven years. Crowns covered at 60% per tooth every seven years under the Delta Dental - Optimum Plan.
vi. A Pretreatment Estimate is suggested. Clinical requirements must be met. 1 crown per person per 12-month policy period. 1 implant per person per 12-month policy period.
vii. 2 teeth in 12 months after purchase or renewal, once per tooth every two years after.
viii. No waiting period.
ix. $1500 lifetime maximum with 12-month waiting period.
x. Includes teeth whitening/bleaching and veneers.
