Aetna Dental Insurance Review 2024: Is it Worth It?

One of the most popular dental insurance providers in the US is Aetna. Aetna offers a variety of plans that cover different levels of services, from preventive to major dental work. But are they worth it? In this article, we will review Aetna dental insurance and help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.

Pros	Cons
Has a large network of dentists across the US	DMO plan limits your choice of dentist and does not cover out-of-network care
Offers a variety of plans to suit different needs and budgets	Some plans have deductibles, annual maximums, and coinsurance
Covers preventive services at 100% with no copayment or deductible	May not cover some services or procedures that you need or want
Extensive nationwide network (available in all 50 states)	May have higher premiums than other dental insurance providers
Good reputation and customer service	Mixed customer reviews

Pros and cons of Aetna Dental Insurance

What is Aetna Dental Insurance?

Woman Having Dental Check-up placeholder for Aetna Dental Insurance review

Aetna is a health insurance company that has been in business since 1853. It has over 22 million members and a network of more than 420,000 healthcare professionals, including dentists. Aetna dental insurance plans are designed to help you pay for dental expenses and improve your oral health.

Aetna offers three types of dental plans: Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), and Dental Indemnity Plan (DIP). Each plan has its own benefits, costs, and limitations. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

DMO Plan

A DMO plan is a managed care plan that requires you to choose a primary care dentist from Aetna’s network. Your primary care dentist will coordinate all your dental care and refer you to specialists when needed. You will pay a copayment for each service you receive, and there are no deductibles or annual maximums. However, unless it’s an emergency, you will not be covered if you go to a dentist outside of Aetna’s network.

PPO Plan

A PPO plan is a fee-for-service plan that gives you more flexibility to choose your dentist. You can go to any dentist you want, but you will save more money if you go to a dentist in Aetna’s network. After meeting a deductible, you will pay a percentage of the cost of each service you receive. There is also an annual maximum amount that Aetna will pay for your dental care. You may also have to file claims if you go to an out-of-network dentist.

DIP Plan

A DIP plan is a traditional indemnity plan that reimburses you for a fixed amount of each service you receive, regardless of the actual cost or the dentist you choose. You will pay the full cost of the service upfront and then submit a claim to Aetna for reimbursement. There are no deductibles or annual maximums, but there are limits on how much Aetna will pay for each service and each year.

What Does Aetna Dental Insurance Cover?

Aetna dental insurance plans cover different types of dental services, depending on the plan you choose and the level of coverage you need. Generally, Aetna dental insurance covers three categories of services: preventive, basic, and major.

Preventive services include routine exams, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants, and oral cancer screenings. These services are usually covered at 100% by most Aetna plans, with no copayment or deductible required.

Basic services include fillings, extractions, root canals, periodontal treatment, denture repair, and emergency care. These services are usually covered at 50% to 80% by most Aetna plans, after meeting a deductible.

Major services include crowns, bridges, implants, dentures, oral surgery, and orthodontics. These services are usually covered at 50% by most Aetna plans, after meeting a deductible and a waiting period.

How Much Does Aetna Dental Insurance Cost?

The cost of Aetna dental insurance depends on several factors, such as the type of plan you choose, the level of coverage you need, the state you live in, and the number of people in your family. You can get a quote online or by calling Aetna customer service.

According to Aetna’s website [https://www.aetnadentaloffers.com/], here are some examples of monthly premiums for individual plans in North Carolina:

	Aetna Dental® Direct Preferred PPO	Aetna Dental® Direct Core PPO	Aetna Dental® Direct Preventive PPO**
Preventive care	$0 – deductible waived	$0 – deductible waived	$0
Basic procedures	You pay 20%	You pay 50%	Not covered
Major procedures	You pay 50%	You pay 50%	Not covered
Annual benefit maximum	$1,250 per person	$1,000 per person	No maximum
Deductible	$50 per person. $150 per family	$50 per person. $150 per family	$0
Cost	Starting at $25.05 a month	Starting at $21.95 a month	Starting at $19.80 a month

Aetna Dental Direct Plans

These prices are subject to change and may vary depending on your location and other factors.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Aetna Dental Insurance?

As with any dental insurance provider, there are pros and cons to consider when choosing Aetna dental insurance. Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

Aetna has a large network of dentists across the US
Aetna offers a variety of plans to suit different needs and budgets
Aetna covers preventive services at 100% with no copayment or deductible
Aetna has a good reputation and customer service

Cons

Aetna DMO plan limits your choice of dentist and does not cover out-of-network care
Aetna PPO and DIP plans have deductibles, annual maximums, and coinsurance
Aetna may not cover some services or procedures that you need or want
Aetna may have higher premiums than other dental insurance providers
Aetna has mixed customer reviews.

Customer Reviews

Based on our observation, Aetna has a mixed reputation among its customers. Here are some reviews from customers who have used Aetna dental insurance:

Positive Review:

Aetna Premier Medical HMO, here in Tucson, Arizona, has been outstanding. Excellent prices on medication, top notch specialists are covered by the plan, hearing, dental and vision coverage, $1,200 for hearing aids for each ear annually, and excellent and professional phone Representatives when you call the member services. Mail order pharmacy is great in pricing and delivery. When traveling used the PPO plan. Both were excellent. Five stars for Aetna.
Trustpilot review

Negative Review:

Recently moved to Aetna from United and I can say it’s far far worse. My “deductible,” is $3600 but they discount what I’ve actually paid to such a small amount that I will actually have to pay $18,000 before they’ll start covering anything. Funny that I’ll reach that point a short time before the end of the year and the whole thing resets. They’re great at collecting fat premiums, but you’ll have to pay for all your health care yourself.
Trustpilot review

Is Aetna Dental Insurance Worth It?

The answer to this question depends on your personal situation and preferences. Aetna dental insurance may be worth it if you:

Value having a large network of dentists to choose from
Want a plan that covers preventive services at 100%
Need a plan that covers basic and major services at a reasonable cost
Don’t mind paying deductibles, coinsurance, and annual maximums

Aetna dental insurance may not be worth it if you:

Prefer having more flexibility to choose your dentist
Want a plan that covers out-of-network care
Need a plan that covers more services or procedures that Aetna does not cover
Mind paying higher premiums than other dental insurance providers

Ultimately, the best way to decide if Aetna’s dental insurance is worth it is to compare it with other dental insurance options available in your area. You can use online tools or talk to an agent to get quotes and compare plans. You can also read reviews and ratings from other customers to get a sense of their experience with Aetna dental insurance.

Conclusion

Aetna Dental Insurance is one of the leading dental insurance providers in the US. It offers a variety of plans that cover different levels of services, from preventive to major dental work. Aetna has a large network of dentists, covers preventive services at 100%, and has a good reputation and customer service. To make an informed decision, it’s advisable to compare Aetna Dental Insurance with other dental plans available in your area

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