Aetna Dental Insurance Review (2024)
Is Aetna Dental good? Our Aetna Dental insurance review points out the pros, including solid rankings with A.M. Best and the Better Business Bureau. We also note the cons, such as mixed customer reviews. Discover their coverage plans and premiums, including $45 a month for their Aetna Dental Direct Preferred PPO.
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Travis Thompson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Travis Thompson has been a licensed insurance agent for nearly five years. After obtaining his life and health insurance licenses, he began working for Symmetry Financial Group as a State Licensed Field Underwriter. In this position, he learned the coverage options and limits surrounding mortgage protection. He advised clients on the coverage needed to protect them in the event of a death, critica...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jul 3, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jul 3, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Aetna is a well-known name in health insurance — the company has offered coverage for over a hundred years. This company has a reputation for trustworthiness and has expanded its selection of services over the last 150 years.
About 50 years ago, Aetna created a dental insurance plan. Today, Aetna Dental insurance is a popular choice for Americans looking to protect their smiles.
It can be tricky to find the best dental insurance plan for your needs. Is Aetna Dental insurance good? Aetna’s reputation and decades of experience make it an obvious choice for some people, but is Aetna right for you?
If you think you might want to purchase Aetna Dental insurance, a significant factor to consider is the price — how does it compare to other companies? Simply enter your ZIP code into our free tool when you’re ready to discover what dental insurance quotes might look like for you.
- Aetna Dental has plans for employers and private buyers, with PPO, DMO, and dental savings options
- The Better Business Bureau and A.M. Best rate Aetna an A, but customer reviews are mixed
- Aetna prices vary by plan but are comparable to its competitors
Aetna Dental Insurance Explained
What is Aetna dental insurance? Aetna offers several plans for employers and private buyers in two main categories: PPOs and DMOs.
A PPO is a Preferred Provider Organization plan. PPOs have a network of providers that agree to accept your insurance coverage. Aetna Dental providers in a PPO plan will provide the most affordable dental options for you.
However, a PPO gives you the freedom to select any dentist you want. But you’ll pay more for dentists outside of your network since your insurance won’t fully cover them.
A DMO, or a Dental Maintenance Organization plan, is a little simpler than a PPO. Aetna dentist providers within a DMO have fixed fees for their services. You don’t have to meet a deductible or file a claim — the service is always the same price, regardless of the procedure.
Employers can purchase a PPO, a DMO, or a Dental Indemnity plan. Private buyers can obtain a PPO plan.
Finally, Aetna offers a dental discount plan. While this plan isn’t insurance, it provides significant savings on dental services.
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Employer Insurance Plans
The three products that Aetna offers to employers provide affordable dental coverage to their entire business.
Aetna Dental DMO
The Aetna Dental DMO promises to fit everyone’s budget. With the DMO, your employees choose a primary care dentist (PCD) within the network. They can select a new dentist once a year, but they can’t switch in between. There are no lifetime limits for services, no deductibles, and no claims, though you do need a primary care dentist. You’ll also need a referral for specialty dental care.
Aetna Dental PPO
The Aetna Dental PPO gives employees slightly more freedom to choose their dental care. It’s still less expensive to remain in-network, but they can choose to go wherever they wish. There are deductibles with a PPO and higher rates compared to a DMO. However, you don’t need a primary care dentist.
Here’s an overview of Aetna Dental PPO coverage:
Aetna Dental Indemnity Plan
Finally, the Aetna Dental Indemnity plan allows members to select any dentist they want anywhere in the country. You pay your dentist directly, then file a claim for reimbursement. With this plan, you don’t have to choose a primary care dentist, and you don’t need referrals for specialty care. However, this plan comes with the highest rates and the largest deductibles.
Private Insurance Plans
If your employer doesn’t offer dental insurance, you can buy your own private insurance through Aetna. You can choose between two types of PPOs.
Aetna Dental Direct
The first option is Aetna Dental Direct. This plan covers 100% of your preventative care, including X-rays and dental cleanings. A benefit to the Dental Direct plan is that there are no waiting periods.
Typically, you have to make payments on your insurance for some time before services like crowns and root canals are covered. You can select your own dentist with this plan, but you’ll pay less if you remain in the network.
Aetna Vital Savings Plan
There is also the option to purchase the Aetna Vital Savings plan, which gives you access to over 250,000 dentists all over the county. While it’s not insurance, you’ll receive a discount of between 15% and 50% on most dental services.
Aetna Dental Coverage Through Medicare
You could also be covered for some dental-related procedures through an Aetna Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan. It’s one of the top five when it comes to a best overall Medicare insurance company.
If you’re wondering, does Medicare Advantage cover dental implants, or, does Medicare cover orthodontics, check out our articles. You can also learn details about Medicare Part C coverage. Read more: Best Oral Surgeons That Will Accept Medicare
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Aetna Dental Cost
How much does Aetna dental cost? As with most dental insurance options, Aetna insurance plans are generally affordable. Aetna Dental Prices
Dental Direct Preferred PPO | Dental Direct Core PPO | Dental Direct Preventative PPO | |
---|---|---|---|
Average monthly price | $46 | $39 | $20 |
Deductible | $50 | $50 | $50 |
Coinsurance | Preventative - No cost Basic - 20% Major - 50% | Preventative - No cost Basic - 50% Major - 50% | Preventative - No cost Basic - Not covered Major - Not covered |
Annual maximum | $1,250 | $1,000 | None |
The average price of dental insurance ranges between $15 and $50 a month. Aetna’s options are within that average, but you can select the dental savings plan if your budget is tight.
Aetna Dental Insurance Reviews
As a large company, Aetna has hundreds of online reviews, most of which are positive.
When it comes to Aetna Dental plan reviews, customers tend to like that Aetna is accepted in most dentist offices. They also appreciate that Aetna insurance plans make preventative care extremely affordable.
The reviews match what Aetna’s website states about their plans: 50% of the price of crowns and 80% of the cost of fillings are covered. Additionally, customers mention that Aetna covers most of the fee for braces.
People also appreciate that it’s relatively easy to cancel your Aetna insurance. On the negative side, customers complain that Aetna can be difficult to contact. Some reviewers were unsatisfied with the level of customer service they received, stating that Aetna representatives were rude or unhelpful.
Another common complaint is that customers are often surprised by the final cost of their dental work. They state that the amount of money they are quoted doesn’t always match what they end up paying.
As for third-party ratings, A.M. Best rates Aetna an A for financial strength, while the Better Business Bureau also gives it an A. So is Aetna good dental insurance? As our Aetna Dental review shows, it’s considered one of the top dental insurance providers because it’s known for having the best value.
What companies are Aetna’s competitors? They include Aflac, considered the best for provider flexibility and annual maximums; Cigna, considered the best for preventative care; and Humana, considered the best for having the largest provider network.
Read more: Aflac Insurance Review & Complaints: Accident, Life & Illness Insurance
The Worth of Dental Insurance
Is dental insurance worth it? While there are pros and cons to obtaining dental insurance, preventative care is one clear reason why dental coverage is a good idea. Preventative care includes dental services that help keep your teeth healthy and detect future problems before they turn into major, painful issues.
Even if you have strong teeth and a history of little to no dental work, dental insurance is still worth it since, without insurance, you could pay up to $600 a year for regular checkups and anywhere from $150 to $1,000-plus to fill a cavity depending on how severe it is and the type of material used.
Scott W. Johnson Licensed Insurance Agent
Young people without health concerns probably won’t save too much money by having dental insurance. However, having dental insurance can encourage people to maintain the health of their teeth.
With Aetna, your preventative care services are covered so you never have to worry about choosing between your health and your finances. (For more information, read our “Aetna Insurance Review & Complaints: Health Insurance“).
Dental care goes beyond your teeth. The health of your mouth has been linked to several health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Keeping your mouth healthy is vital to your overall health, and dental insurance can help you do it.
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Find the Best Dental Insurance Today
As a trusted healthcare name, affordable Aetna Dental rates might be the best option for your oral health. As with all insurance types, you should compare prices with other companies to ensure that you’re receiving the best deal.
If you’re ready to browse Aetna Dental quotes, be sure to compare the options of other plans — just because a plan is more affordable doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best for you. Enter your ZIP code into our free tool to determine what quotes might look like for you. Read more:
- Aetna Final Expense Insurance: Complete Guide & Review
- Best Health Insurance Quotes
- How To Correctly Buy Health Insurance: An Expert Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DMO mean in Aetna?
DMO stands for dental maintenance organization), and it means that an enrollee selects a participating primary care dentist (PCD). Their primary dental care is provided by their PCD and only at locations that participate in the plan.
What is the difference between Aetna DMO and PPO?
A PPO plan allows you to access a larger number of dentists providing higher-quality care. However, out-of-pocket costs are generally lower with HMO/DMO plans than PPO plans and have fixed co-payments.
Is the Aetna Dental savings plan worth it?
Yes, since you can get an average of 50% off most dental restorations. For example, fillings that might usually cost $190 will usually come out to under $100 with the discount.
Does Aetna Vital Savings cover implants?
Yes, according to Aetna, you can save 15-50% on implants (along with root canals, crowns, dentures, and braces) at more than 161,000 dental practice locations nationwide.
What is the best dental discount plan for seniors?
The best dental insurance providers for seniors include:
- Aetna: Best Value
- Aflac: Best for Provider Flexibility and Best for Annual Maximums
- Cigna: Best for Preventive Care
- Delta Dental: AARP Member Plans
- Humana: Best for Largest Provider Network
- Renaissance Dental. Best for Affordable Options
What is the most common type of dental insurance?
According to the National Association of Dental Plans, Dental PPO plans are the most common, as 82% percent of all dental policies are PPOs.
How much is most dental insurance?
The typical dental plan rate is $20–$50 per month for an individual and $50–$150 per month for a family. Compare insurance quotes by entering your ZIP code into our free quote tool.
What are the cons of dental insurance?
Some services may have limitations in coverage. For example, crowns, bridges, or dentures might only be partially covered, while root canals might not be included at all. There could also be policies that have annual limits on reimbursements.
Can you cancel your Aetna Dental Savings Plan?
Yes. According to Aetna, call them at 1-877-698-4825 before your renewal date.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
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Travis Thompson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Travis Thompson has been a licensed insurance agent for nearly five years. After obtaining his life and health insurance licenses, he began working for Symmetry Financial Group as a State Licensed Field Underwriter. In this position, he learned the coverage options and limits surrounding mortgage protection. He advised clients on the coverage needed to protect them in the event of a death, critica...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.