Dental Insurance Benefits

Having a quality dental insurance plan may play a key role in maintaining good oral health. People with dental insurance visit the dentist more frequently than those without and they have better overall dental health as well¹. This is because when you have dental insurance, typically you are more likely to visit the dentist regularly and catch small issues before they become large issues.

When you are shopping for a new dental insurance plan it is important to understand the benefits and limitations of each plan. Not all procedures are covered on each plan, before purchasing a plan make sure that you are clear on what is covered and what is not. It is also important to choose a plan with your individual health in mind. Some people may need extensive dental work done, while others may only need preventative care, it depends on the individual. By looking at different plan levels you can make an informed choice that fits your oral health needs and budget.

If an infection in a tooth or decay threatens to compromise a tooth, a root canal treatment With Guardian Direct®, you can purchase individual dental benefits online, directly from the carrier, which means that you can get dental coverage quickly. Before purchasing a dental insurance plan, it is important to consider the benefits and coverage that each plan has to offer. Considering aspects like which procedures are covered, the size of network, and costs like monthly premium and deductible, are all important in researching dental benefit providers.

Guardian Direct® offers full coverage dental insurance, also called comprehensive dental insurance, that covers preventative care, like cleanings, basic procedures, such as cavities and fillings, and major procedures, like crowns and root canals. This insurance can be purchased with no waiting period so you can sign up today and be covered immediately.

Buying a plan directly from Guardian Direct® is different than purchasing insurance through a Group Plan that is often offered through your employer. With an employer sponsored plan, you typically do not have a choice in coverage levels or carrier. You typically also have little control over the monthly premium when purchasing group insurance. Purchasing a direct insurance dental plan gives you the option to choose a carrier that works for you at a level that you can afford.

Does Medicare offer dental benefits?

Medicare Parts A and B do not cover the majority of dental care, including preventative care, basic, or major procedures². Seniors with a Medicare Advantage, or Part C plan are able to add dental coverage as a bundle with their health coverage³.

Bundling your coverage may seem convenient, however, there are a few considerations to take into account before bundling your dental coverage with Medicare. In general, dental insurance is preventative care, it is typically set up so that you can see your dentist and have work done on a routine basis. This helps you to maintain good oral health without paying a lot out-of-pocket. Medicare, on the other hand, is set up as a health insurance plan, and like most health insurance plans, it is meant to be catastrophic coverage rather than preventative care. With a bundled plan you could end up paying more for routine and non-routine dental procedures than you would with a stand-alone plan.

Depending on your specific circumstances, it may make sense to purchase a private dental insurance plan rather than a Medicare Advantage plan to help you take care of your oral health needs. With a private plan, like those through Guardian Direct®, you can get full coverage dental insurance at an affordable rate. This coverage also gives you access to a large network of dental professionals so that you can keep your dentist.

Do veterans get dental benefits through the VA?

United States veterans suffer from oral health issues at a high rate⁴. Dental issues such as bruxism, cavities, dry mouth, and gum disease all occur at a higher rate in veteran⁵. In order to maintain good oral health and prevent major dental issues, it is important that veterans get regular dental care. Unfortunately, many veterans do not choose to continue with their dental coverage after their years of active duty⁶. However, it doesn’t have to be this way, there are options for affordable dental coverage available to veterans.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers dental benefits to some, but not all United States veterans. If you are a veteran, you may qualify for dental benefits if you meet one the one of the qualifications below⁷. This list is not exhaustive. Please visit www.va.gov for more information:

• You have a service-connected dental disability

• You were a prisoner of war

• You are unable to work due to a service-related condition

• You have a service-related disability

If you do not qualify for dental care through the VA, or if you qualify and would like to supplement your coverage, you can purchase private dental insurance. Guardian Direct® offers affordable dental coverage that covers preventative care, basic procedures, and major procedures.

With dental insurance there is no open enrollment or waiting period for preventative services, so you can begin receiving your benefit as soon as you enroll*. This means that by having dental insurance you can visit the dentist more frequently so you can help catch small issues before they become larger and more expensive. With Guardian Direct®, you can choose your own dentist from a large network of dental professionals. Also, if you have family members on your dental plan each person can choose a dentist who they trust.

Guardian Direct Dental Insurance Benefits

Guardian Direct® plans are sold directly to you, the consumer. With direct-to-consumer coverage through Guardian Direct® you have access to a large network of over 100,000 dentists and there are three levels of dental coverage that you can consider when choosing a plan. All of Guardian Direct®’s plans cover cleanings, X-rays, cavities, and other dental issues. Enrollment in any of the Guardian Direct® plans can be done at any time and there is no waiting period for preventive services, meaning you can enroll today, and coverage begins the first of the next month depending on selected payment method.

Direct to consumer dental plans are different than the group dental plans that might be offered through your work. Typically, with group dental insurance plan you do not have much flexibility in terms of what level of coverage you have or how much you pay in premiums, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket expenses.

Another option that is available when purchasing dental insurance is to bundle your dental coverage with your health insurance. It may seem like bundling your dental insurance with health insurance for a low premium is a good idea. However, bundling may rarely ends up saving you money in the end. This is because typically when you bundle health coverage and dental coverage you are also bundling your deductibles, this means that you will typically pay more out-of-pocket to reach your deductible than you would with stand-alone coverage. This added cost could easily be more than you saved in premium by bundling. Add in the fact that typically bundled coverages may have less flexibility in terms of choosing a dentist, and may have higher rates for dental procedures, it is typically more affordable to purchase stand-alone coverage.

Dental benefits provider phone number & related insights

Buying dental insurance is a straightforward process and can typically be completed entirely online. If you are shopping for a dental insurance plan it is important to understand the ins-and-outs of each plan including coverage, network, and all associated costs. Guardian Direct has resources available on our website that can help you do research so that you can make an informed decision for you and your family.

If you have any questions or if you would like more information about dental insurance through Guardian Direct® you can use the website or call, 866-569-9900.