What dental and vision insurance cover
Individual dental plans typically group services into three tiers: preventive care (cleanings, exams, and X-rays), basic care (such as fillings and simple extractions), and major care (such as crowns, bridges, root canals, and dentures). Plans usually pay a higher share for preventive care and a lower share for major work.
Vision plans generally help cover a routine eye exam and provide an allowance toward frames and lenses or contact lenses, often on a set schedule such as once every 12 or 24 months.
Who it's a good fit for
- People with Original Medicare, which generally doesn't cover routine dental care, eye exams for glasses, or eyeglasses
- Retirees who lost dental coverage when they left an employer
- Self-employed people and workers without dental or vision benefits
- Medicare Advantage members whose built-in dental or vision benefits are limited
How dental plans work
- Annual maximum: the most the plan will pay in a year.
- Deductible: what you pay before certain benefits begin.
- Coinsurance: the percentage the plan pays for each type of service.
- Waiting periods: many plans have waiting periods before they cover basic or major services. Some shorten or waive them, often at a different cost.
- Networks: some plans let you see any dentist, while others pay more when you use an in-network provider.
Discount dental plans are not insurance. They offer reduced fees at participating dentists but don't pay claims. If you're comparing the two, I'll explain the difference.
Why use a local independent agent
Dental plans that look similar can be very different once you compare waiting periods, annual maximums, and whether your dentist is in network. I compare plans from several carriers and help you find one that fits the care you actually expect to need. There's no cost to talk and no obligation.
Serving the Lake Norman area
I'm based in the Lake Norman area and help people in Mooresville, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Denver, and Troutman find dental and vision coverage. Before you enroll, I can help you check whether your current dentist or eye doctor participates in a plan's network. I'm also licensed in 16 other states and Washington, D.C.
Dental and vision plans are limited-benefit policies. They are not major medical insurance and do not replace health coverage. Benefits, waiting periods, limitations, and exclusions vary by plan and state. The MacMillan Agency is not affiliated with Medicare or any government agency.