Individual dental & vision insurance

How dental plans work

Most individual dental plans use a tiered coverage structure. Preventive care is covered heavily to keep you visiting the dentist; basic and major services cost more out of pocket. Choose PPO for provider flexibility or HMO for lower premiums.

• Preventive (cleanings, exams, X-rays): typically covered 100%
• Basic services (fillings, extractions): typically 70–80% after deductible
• Major services (crowns, root canals, bridges): typically 50% after waiting period
• Orthodontia: separate rider or plan, usually 50% up to a lifetime max
• Annual benefit maximums typically $1,000–$2,500

How vision plans work

Vision plans are simpler — one exam per year plus an allowance toward frames, lenses, or contacts.

• One annual eye exam covered with a small copay
• Frame allowance ($130–$200) every 12–24 months
• Standard lenses included; upgrades (progressives, anti-glare) discounted
• Contact lens allowance in place of frames each year
• Discounts on LASIK through partner networks

Watch the waiting periods

Many dental plans have 6–12 month waiting periods on major services and orthodontia. If you already know you need a crown or braces, we'll steer you to a no-waiting-period plan even if the premium is a few dollars higher — otherwise you'll pay in full for the very thing you bought coverage for.

Who these plans fit

Dental and vision policies pay off for households that use them consistently. If you skip cleanings and eye exams for years, the premium may exceed what you'd pay cash.

• Families with kids — pediatric dental is high-use
• Adults who get regular cleanings and expect to need occasional work
• Anyone wearing glasses or contacts
• Medicare beneficiaries whose Advantage plan doesn't include dental (or has weak limits)
• Self-employed people who lost employer benefits

Why I recommend Ameritas

Ameritas is my go-to carrier for individual dental and vision. Their PrimeStar® plans have no waiting periods, a large nationwide dental network, and a Preventive Plus feature that keeps your cleanings and exams from eating into your annual maximum — so the full benefit dollars stay available for fillings, crowns, and bridges.

• No waiting periods on PrimeStar plans — coverage starts day one
• Preventive Plus: covered cleanings, exams, and bitewing X-rays don't count against your annual maximum
• Annual maximums increase after year one (up to $3,500 in-network on Care Complete)
• Large nationwide network — network dentists charge 25–50% less than their regular rates
• See any dentist you like; you simply save the most in network
• Vision and LASIK benefits available, plus a hearing savings program on Care Complete

The three PrimeStar plan levels

Ameritas keeps the choice simple — pick the level that matches how your household uses dental care.

• Care Lite — greatest value for individuals who just want to stay on top of good oral health
• Care Boost — balanced family plan that adds child orthodontia (50% after year one, $1,000 lifetime max) and teeth whitening
• Care Complete — the robust option for mature individuals, adding a hearing benefit (50% coinsurance, up to $400 per ear after year one, plus a $75 annual hearing exam)

Finding a dentist and using your benefits

Once you're enrolled, go to ameritas.com → Find a Health Provider, enter your ZIP code, and choose your network name (it's on your ID card) to see in-network dentists near you. The free Ameritas Benefits app for iOS and Android lets you pull up ID cards, check deductible and maximum usage, view claims and EOBs, and search providers from your phone. If your dentist isn't in the network yet, you can nominate them online.

• Ameritas Benefits app: ID cards, claims, EOBs, benefit usage, provider search
• Customer connections: 800-487-5553
• Hearing savings through Tuned on Dental Complete — up to 50% off retail hearing aids, free 45-day trial, 3-year loss and damage warranty