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October 29, 2024
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Kaiser Permanente is a large, managed care provider. Kaiser dental plans can be a valuable investment, depending on your needs and your place of residence. Depending on where you live, you can choose from several health and dental insurance plans, ultimately choosing the one that fits you best.
As of 2024, Kaiser is operational across eight states under a number of different names and affiliations. Its services are currently available in Hawaii, Colorado, Maryland, Washington, Oregon, California, Virginia, and Georgia, in addition to the District of Columbia. Due to their low premiums and ample coverage, they’re one of our favorite dental insurance providers for seniors.
Our Top-Rated Dental Plans for Seniors
If Kaiser is not available in your region, then we recommend one of the following providers, all of which offer dental plans for seniors at affordable prices.
Comparing Senior Dental Insurance Options
Kaiser’s routine dental insurance policies, available through each of the individual Kaiser policies, can be a good route to take for anyone in need of dental coverage. However, each policy is unique and needs to be carefully considered. Here are a few key points to keep in mind.
- Most policies offer preventative coverage within the package, some of which do not charge extra for this coverage as long as you use in-network providers for your care.
- Restorative services, which can include dentures, are available in some policies, but not all of them. This will add to the monthly cost but can be well worth the investment for most seniors who need to have work done, such as implants, dentures, or bridges.
- Deductibles are common with most plans, including those from Cigna and Aetna. With that said, these costs will vary greatly by region.
- Some companies include vision benefits with dental policies. If you have prescription lenses, then you might want to consider a plan such as this.
- You also want to consider the top-out amount – or the maximum amount of coverage they will pay per year for your dental care.
How Do I Purchase Kaiser Dental Insurance?
You can purchase dental insurance from Kaiser through one of the company’s individual plans listed on their website. The company offers individual dental insurance plans to adults (as well as children). They do not offer a specific plan for seniors, but seniors do qualify for the adult plans.
Kaiser Dental Coverage and Costs
While the exact costs will vary by state, here is an overview of Kaiser’s adult dental plan for a resident of Washington. While the prices will vary slightly by state, the actual coverage will be more or less the same.
Kaiser Adult Dental Coverage
| In-Network Dentist | Out-of-Network Dentist | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Maximum | $1,250 $1,000 annual TMJ maximum $5,000 lifetime TMJ maximum |
$1,250 $1,000 annual TMJ maximum $5,000 lifetime TMJ maximum |
| Annual Deductible | $50 per adult | $50 per adult |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Diagnostic and Preventive Care | 100% | 100% |
| Basic Restorative Care | 50% | 50% |
| Major Restorative Care | 50% | 50% |
| Orthodontia | Not Covered | Not Covered |
The company’s dental insurance plan is called Teethkeepers, a triple-choice dental program. This type of policy offers dental benefits to consumers on a direct-pay basis. Anyone can enroll in this program. It is not an actual insurance policy but a discount opportunity for those who enroll. It is ideal for seniors who want good benefits at a low cost to get it.
There are three options for consumers to select from through the Teethkeepers plan. They include the following:
Choice Pro Plus
This particular option – which is available only in some areas – provides a moderate price point for coverage starting at $15.29 per month (again, in some areas). This policy offers no waiting periods to get coverage and to get into the dentist. In addition to this, there is a $750 annual maximum with this option. This plan allows seniors to use any dentist they desire.
Choice PPO Basic
This plan is much like the Pro Plus plan, but it is also a bit more expensive at $19.79 per month. It offers the flexibility to use any dentist. In addition, there are no waiting periods for beginning to use it. The difference here is that there is a $1,000 annual maximum for this plan.
Choice PPO Premium
Some Kaiser locations also offer a higher level of coverage – at $25.21 per month for some areas. It offers coverage for most major services consumers need, though it does not pay outright for dentures. This plan offers a $1,500 annual maximum payout.
Kaiser Medicare Advantage Plans
Another way to secure Kaiser dental insurance for seniors is through the company’s Medicare-related coverage. Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage HMO plans can include dental coverage. These can help with costs related to dentures as well as things like hearing aids and glasses. Advantage Plus plans differ from one area to the next, and it can be hard to provide pricing for them since they are so varied by location.
For example, in Oregon, Kaiser Permanente’s Advantage Plus plan provides help for dental, hearing aids, and eyewear. This policy, which is an HMO plan, can help individuals with personal dental care at one of the approved Kaiser Permanente dental offices. This policy, designed for seniors, is $44 per month in addition to other Medicare-related coverage you may have.
By comparison, in Northern California, older adults can secure the same type of Medicare Advantage Plus plan through Kaiser for about $20 per month. In this area, this HMO plan will provide coverage that includes dental, hearing, and extra vision care, along with the organization’s Silver&Fit fitness program.
Since your costs will differ significantly from one area to the next, it is very important to request a free, customized quote based on where you live right down to the region. Don’t assume basic pricing online is accurate to your needs.
Since traditional Medicare does not cover dental services, purchasing an Advantage Plus plan is often beneficial for many seniors. It can help to provide coverage for most dental needs you have. Not all Medicare Advantage Plus plans offer denture coverage either. It is up to the individual to compare their options across all plans, including Kaiser options, to determine which can offer the most protection available.
Our Verdict
Like most people, older adults need to have healthy teeth. The first step to this is seeking out a dental care plan that fits your needs. Any of these options can work, depending on your needs and your budget. However, the costs of Kaiser dental insurance plans for seniors range widely by region and plan type. Always ask for a comprehensive quote to see just what is included when obtaining a policy. Kaiser can be a quality dental insurance provider when the right type of plan is selected for the patient’s needs.