Aetna Dental Plans: An Overview

Aetna is a huge name in the dental insurance industry, and offers two different types of dental coverage in most states, Aetna Individual Advantage Dental PPO Plan and the Aetna Individual Advantage PPO Plus Plan. Aetna markets these plans in two age groups – 49 and under and 50 or older. Aetna usually offers its dental insurance plans as part of group coverage through the workplace, but also offers folks in the states of Arizona, Delaware, Illinois and Pennsylvania the opportunity to buy individual coverage outside of work.

Many employers pay a part or all of the Aetna dental coverage premiums while others may offer this group coverage as an elective option and not a benefit to the employee.

Aetna Dental Plans – Costs of Coverage

The cost of Aetna dental plans is determined based on the number of people being insured, the type of coverage selected, the age of the applicant, and the zip code in which the applicant lives. Some plans (for single people) start as low as $34, while family plans can run well over $100.

A Look at Aetna Individual Advantage Plans

Both of these plans offer similar coverage – the differen ce between them lies in the amount that Aetna will pay for covered services. With both the Aetna Individual Advantage PPO Plan and the Aetna Individual Advantage PPO Plus Plan, those insured will receive:

• Preventative care services such as cleanings and dental x-rays;
• Basic care services like fillings, extractions, restorative dental care, root canals;
• Major care services like crowns, bridges, and dentures.

Aetna Dental Plans: Benefits

Aetna Dental has a sound system in place with its offered policies, which may account for its popularity among both individuals and employers. With either of the Aetna dental plans listed above, policy holders have the freedom to choose the dentist that they visit (and most dentists accept Aetna dental insurance). A quick tip: visiting a dentist in the Aetna dental network will likely cost less than choosing a dentist who is not in the network (insured persons still retain the ability to choose).

Dentists in the Aetna network are those who have chosen to provide services to Aetna dental policy holders at a discount rate; this rate applies to services that are covered as well as those that are not (such as braces or teeth whitening). Dentists that are not in Aetna’s network may charge more, which means that you will be required to pay more when you visit them (you will be responsible for charges that the dental plan didn’t cover or additional fees above what Aetna will pay).

Difference Between the Two Offered Plans

As mentioned earlier, the difference between the two plans above, Aetna Individual Advantage PPO Plan and the Aetna Individual Advantage PPO Plus Plan lies in the amount that each plan will pay for the covered services that the plan encompasses. With the “plus” plan, Aetna will pay 100% of the cost of diagnostic and preventative services, while the “regular” plan will pay only 80%. For denture repairs, the plus plan will pay 80% while the regular plan will pay only 50%. When it comes to deductible (out of pocket) expenses, the Aetna PPO Plus Plan has a $50 deductible and the regular plan has a deductible of $100.

Determining Your Dental Insurance Needs

Like health insurance, no one knows when they will have a need for dental insurance. It is always a good idea to accept Aetna dental coverage if it is offered at your place of employment; group coverage is always less expensive than individual coverage. And of course Aetna, like any other insurer, has its upside and downside, so definitely shop around to make sure you are getting the best coverage for what you will be paying.