Standalone plans
Dental and vision insurance
The short answer
Most adult health plans do not include routine dental and vision care. Original Medicare does not cover routine dental or vision either, and marketplace plans do not have to include adult dental. Standalone dental and vision plans fill that gap for cleanings, fillings, exams and glasses, with limits you should read first.
A licensed agent calls you at no cost.
Updated and reviewed by the licensed agents at Health Insurance Solutions in Orlando, Florida. How we research and review
Dental & Vision at a glance
- Original Medicare
- No routine dental
- Medicare also does not cover routine eye exams for glasses or most hearing aids.
- Marketplace plans
- Adult dental optional
- Children's dental is an essential health benefit. Adult dental is not required.
- Things to compare
- Four limits
- Waiting periods, the yearly maximum, your dentist's network and the deductible.
- Cost of our help
- $0
- A licensed agent compares plans for you and is paid by the insurance company, not by you.
Who needs a dental or vision plan?
Most adult medical plans skip routine dental and vision. Standalone plans fill the gap. We compare waiting periods, annual maximums and networks, so a crown never surprises you.
- Individuals and families on Marketplace or short-term plans
- People with Original Medicare, which skips dental
- Anyone whose employer doesn't offer dental or vision
What do dental and vision plans cover?
Usually included
- Dental: exams, cleanings and X-rays, usually the first thing a plan pays for
- Dental: fillings, and for some plans root canals, crowns, dentures or orthodontics, often after a waiting period
- Vision: eye exams, and a set amount toward glasses or contacts
- Lower prices from dentists and eye doctors in the plan's network
Usually not included
- Work above the yearly maximum. A plan can stop paying once you reach it
- Major work during a waiting period, when a plan has one
- Care from out-of-network dentists at the same rate as in-network care
- Cosmetic work such as whitening, in most plans
How much does dental and vision insurance cost?
Standalone plans are priced by age, ZIP code, the network and how much they pay for major work. We do not list prices here because they vary widely, and the right plan is the one that covers the work you actually expect.
Know your yearly maximum
A plan pays up to a set amount a year. A crown or a set of dentures can use much of it, so compare the maximum with what you expect to need.
Waiting periods
Some plans cover cleanings right away but make you wait for crowns and other major work. If you know you need work soon, ask about plans without a wait.
Your dentist and eye doctor
Check that the providers you already see are in the plan's network before you enroll.
Medicare Advantage extras
Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision or hearing. Compare them with a standalone plan, which stays with you if you change health plans.
Who covers dental and vision, and who does not?
It depends on the kind of health coverage you have. This table shows the common starting point before you add a standalone plan.
| Your coverage | Routine dental | Routine vision |
|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare | No, in most cases | No routine eye exams for glasses, with limited exceptions |
| Medicare Advantage | Some plans include it | Some plans include it |
| Marketplace plan, children | Available as an essential health benefit, sometimes as a separate plan | Available as an essential health benefit, sometimes as a separate plan |
| Marketplace plan, adults | Not required. Some plans include it | Not required |
| Standalone dental or vision plan | Yes, with waiting periods and yearly limits | Yes, usually an exam and an allowance for glasses or contacts |
When might a standalone plan not be worth it?
- You already have dental or vision through a job or a Medicare Advantage plan. Check what it covers before you add another.
- You need major work soon and the plan has a long waiting period. Ask about your options before you pay for months of coverage.
- You rarely go to the dentist and have no expected work. A plan may cost more than you would use.
How do we help you pick a dental or vision plan?
Check your dentist
We confirm network participation for the providers you already see.
Check waiting times
Some plans cover major work sooner than others. We'll show you which.
Enroll in minutes
Most dental and vision plans can start the first of next month.
Get a free quote
What's your ZIP code?
Plans and prices depend on where you live.
Common questions
Does Medicare cover dental and vision?
Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care or routine eye exams for glasses, and it does not cover most hearing aids. Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision or hearing benefits. Compare them against a standalone plan.
Do marketplace health plans include dental?
Pediatric dental is an essential health benefit, so children's dental must be available through the marketplace, sometimes as a separate plan. Adult dental is not required, although some health plans include it, and you can buy a standalone dental plan. Check which one you have before you assume.
What is a dental waiting period?
A waiting period is the time you must be enrolled before the plan pays for a type of care. Many plans cover exams and cleanings right away and wait months for fillings, crowns or dentures. Ask about waiting periods for the work you expect.
What is an annual maximum?
It is the most the plan will pay for your care in a plan year. After that you pay the full cost. A crown, a root canal or dentures can use much of a typical maximum.
Do I need a referral or a network?
Most plans have a network of dentists and eye doctors. Care from a network provider costs less. Check that your provider participates before you enroll, because networks change.
When can I get a dental or vision plan?
Dental and vision plans sold outside the marketplace are not limited to open enrollment, and many can start the first of the next month. A standalone plan bought through the marketplace follows its enrollment dates. Ask us what your plan's start date and waiting periods would be.
Guides that go deeper
Talk to a licensed agent
We compare plans, explain the tradeoffs and help you enroll. It costs you nothing.
Sources
Rules change. Confirm dates, limits and eligibility with the source, your state insurance department or a licensed agent before you decide. We last checked these on .
- Medicare.gov: Dental services(opens in a new tab)
- Medicare.gov: Eyeglasses and contact lenses(opens in a new tab)
- Medicare.gov: Hearing aids(opens in a new tab)
- HealthCare.gov: Dental coverage in the Marketplace(opens in a new tab)
- HealthCare.gov: What Marketplace health insurance plans cover(opens in a new tab)