Anthem Dental Insurance Review for 2024

Anthem Dental Insurance is a part of Anthem, Inc., a health insurance company that serves more than 106 million members across 14 states. It offers individual and family dental plans. These plans can be purchased separately or as an add-on to an Anthem health insurance or vision insurance plan. Anthem Dental Insurance plans cover preventive care like regular cleanings, exams, X-rays, and procedures like fillings, crowns, and root canals. It also offers dental discount plans that are not insurance but provide access to discounts from a network of dentists.

Pros	Cons
Large network of dentists and specialists	Exclusions and limitations on coverage
Flexible and affordable options	Out-of-network costs
Preventive care at no cost	Cancellation fees may apply
No waiting periods or annual maximums
Online tools and resources

Pros and cons of Anthem dental insurance

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Anthem Dental Insurance Plans

Anthem Dental Insurance plans are categorized into two types: Essential Choice PPO and Dental Family PPO. Here is a brief overview of each type:

Essential Choice PPO: These are good for individuals or families who want to save money on dental care. You can visit any dentist you prefer or pay less when you choose a dentist from Anthem’s extensive network. Diagnostic and preventive care are covered at 100% with no waiting period when you visit an in-network dentist. There is no deductible for diagnostic and preventive services, but there are deductibles and coinsurance for basic, complex, and major services. The annual benefit maximums range from $500 to $2,500 depending on the plan you choose.
Dental Family PPO: These are designed for families who need comprehensive dental coverage for themselves and their children. You can choose from different plan options that vary in deductibles, coinsurance, annual benefit maximums, and pediatric essential health benefits. Diagnostic and preventive care are covered at 100% with no waiting period when you visit an in-network dentist. There are also benefits for orthodontics and dentures depending on the plan you choose.

Cost of Anthem Dental Insurance Plans

To give you an idea of how much each type of plan costs, here is a table that shows the monthly premiums for some sample plans in California (prices may vary by state):

Plan Type	Plan Name	Deductible	Coinsurance	Annual Benefit Maximum	Monthly Premium
Essential Choice PPO	Bronze	$50 per person / $150 per family	20% for basic services / 50% for complex and major services	$500	$19.10
Essential Choice PPO	Silver	$50 per person / $150 per family	20% for basic services / 50% for complex and major services	$1,000	$25.80
Essential Choice PPO	Gold	$50 per person / $150 per family	0% for basic services / 20% for complex services / 50% for major services	$1,500	$34.90
Essential Choice PPO	Platinum	$50 per person / $150 per family	0% for basic services / 20% for complex services / 50% for major services	$2,500	$49.00
Dental Family PPO	Family Enhanced Plus Pediatric Dental Plan (for children up to age 18)	None	None	No annual limit for pediatric essential health benefits / $1,000 for orthodontics (lifetime limit) / $1,000 for dentures (per prosthesis)	$29.00
Dental Family PPO	Family Enhanced Plan (for adults)	$50 per person / $150 per family	0% for basic services / 20% for complex services / 50% for major services	$1,500	$34.90

Pros and Cons of Anthem Dental Insurance

Pros

Anthem dental insurance plans have several benefits that make them attractive to customers. Some of these benefits are:

Large network of dentists and specialists: Anthem dental insurance plans have over 90,000 dentists and specialists in their network, which means you can easily find a provider near you who accepts your plan. You can also choose to see an out-of-network provider, but you may pay more out-of-pocket costs.
Flexible and affordable options: Anthem dental insurance plans have different levels of coverage and cost to suit your needs and budget. You can choose from HMO, PPO, or indemnity plans, and from low-premium or high-benefit options. You can also customize your plan with optional riders such as orthodontic care or vision care.
Preventive care at no cost: Anthem dental insurance plans cover 100% of preventive care services such as exams, cleanings, x-rays, and fluoride treatments. This means you don’t have to pay anything when you visit your dentist for routine check-ups and cleanings.
No waiting periods or annual maximums: Anthem dental insurance plans don’t have any waiting periods for preventive or basic services, which means you can use your benefits as soon as your plan starts. They also don’t have any annual maximums for preventive or basic services, which means you can use as much of your benefits as you need without worrying about reaching a limit.
Online tools and resources: Anthem dental insurance plans come with access to online tools and resources that can help you manage your dental health and plan. You can use the online portal or mobile app to find a dentist, view your benefits and claims, estimate your costs, and more. You can also access educational materials and tips on how to improve your oral health.

Cons

Anthem dental insurance plans also have some drawbacks that you should be aware of before signing up. Some of these drawbacks are:

Exclusions and limitations: Anthem dental insurance plans have some exclusions and limitations that may affect your coverage or reimbursement. For example, some services that are not medically necessary, experimental, cosmetic, or not performed by a licensed dentist may not be covered by your plan. Some services that are covered by another dental or medical plan, workers’ compensation, or government program may not be eligible for reimbursement by your plan.
Out-of-network costs: Anthem dental insurance plans have a large network of dentists and specialists that accept your plan. However, if you choose to see an out-of-network provider, you may have to pay more out-of-pocket costs than if you see an in-network provider. This is because out-of-network providers may charge higher fees than in-network providers and may not follow the negotiated rates that Anthem has with its network providers. You may also have to file a claim yourself if you see an out-of-network provider instead of having them do it for you.
Cancellation fees: Anthem dental insurance plans require you to contact them at least 30 days before your plan’s renewal date if you want to cancel your plan. If you fail to do so or cancel your plan after the renewal date, you may have to pay a cancellation fee or forfeit any unused benefits that you have left in your plan.

How to Enroll in Anthem Dental Insurance

To enroll in an Anthem Dental Insurance plan you will need to visit their website or call their toll-free number. You will need to provide some personal information, such as your name, address, date of birth, social security number, etc. You will also need to choose a payment method and agree to the terms and conditions of the plan. Once you enroll, you will receive a confirmation email with your member ID card and other important information.

To use your Anthem Dental Insurance, you will need to present your member ID card or give your member ID number when you visit a dentist. You will also need to pay any applicable copays or coinsurance at the time of service. If you visit an out-of-network dentist, you may have to pay the full cost upfront and then file a claim with Anthem for reimbursement. You can check your benefits and claims online or by calling Anthem’s customer service.

If you have any questions or concerns about Anthem dental insurance plans or services, you can contact them through various channels. Here are some ways to reach them:

Phone: You can call their customer service number at 1-877-567-1804 from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. You can also call their technical support number at 1-866-755-2680 from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
Email: You can send them an email through their online form on their website.
Mail: You can send them a letter at their mailing address (Anthem Dental P.O. Box 659809 San Antonio TX 78265)

Is Anthem Dental Insurance Worth It

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

You live in one of the states where Anthem dental insurance plans are available.
You want a large network of dentists and specialists to choose from.
You want flexible and affordable options for your dental coverage.
You want preventive care at no cost and no waiting periods or annual maximums for basic services.
You want online tools and resources to help you manage your dental health and plan.

Anthem dental insurance may not be worth it if:

You live in a state where Anthem dental insurance plans are not available.
You prefer to see an out-of-network dentist or specialist.
You want more comprehensive coverage for major services such as implants, dentures, crowns, bridges, or orthodontics.
You don’t mind paying for preventive care and waiting periods or annual maximums for basic services.
You don’t care about online tools and resources to help you manage your dental health and plan.

Conclusion

Anthem Dental Insurance is a reputable and affordable dental insurance provider that offers a range of plans to meet different needs and budgets. It cover preventive care and procedures, and you can save money by visiting an in-network dentist. It also offers online tools and customer support to help you manage your dental care. If you are looking for a dental insurance plan that can protect your oral health and your wallet, you may want to consider Anthem Dental Insurance.

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