Posted by Dental care is expensive everywhere, including in North Carolina, but getting dental care is important.
To get the dental care you need, your best option would be to enroll in dental insurance, and that’s why we’ve written this article to provide you with the 10 best dental insurance in North Carolina.
But that is not all, we’ve also included information that will help you make the best-informed decision about which plan to enroll in. Hope you’re ready?
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Understanding Dental Insurance in North Carolina
Dental insurance typically operates on a system of premiums, deductibles, and copayments. By paying a monthly premium, you gain access to a network of dentists and receive coverage for various dental procedures.
The benefits of having dental insurance in North Carolina are manifold. Here are a few:
- It helps you afford routine preventive care, such as cleanings and exams, which are vital for the early detection of dental issues.
- Dental insurance also provides you with coverage for restorative procedures like fillings, crowns, and root canals, ensuring that you can address dental problems promptly.
- Additionally, some dental plans may include coverage for orthodontic treatment, which would help you achieve straighter, healthier smiles.
Check this out: 9+ Best Dental Insurance in Oklahoma
Dental Insurance Plans in North Carolina
As you plan to choose a dental insurance plan in North Carolina, you must understand the types of plans available and their differences.
The two primary types of dental insurance plans are:
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans.
1. HMO:
HMO dental plans typically require you to select a primary dentist within a specific network. This dentist becomes the primary point of contact for all your dental services. HMO plans often have lower premiums but have a more restricted network of dentists to choose from.
2. PPO:
PPO dental plans, on the other hand, offer you more flexibility in choosing dentists. Here, you can visit any dentist within or outside the network, but out-of-network services may result in higher out-of-pocket costs. PPO plans usually have higher premiums but provide greater freedom to choose dental providers.
You will love to see this: 16+ Best Dental Insurance in Missouri
Factors to Consider When Choosing Dental Insurance
Choosing the best dental insurance in North Carolina requires careful consideration of the following various factors:
- Network of dentists
- Coverage options and limitations
- Evaluating the coverage
- Financial response to claims
#1. Network of Dentist
One important factor is the network of dentists and dental clinics associated with the insurance plan. Ensuring that the plan has a broad network that includes reputable and experienced dentists in the local area is essential.
#2. Coverage Options and Limitations
Coverage options and limitations should also be thoroughly examined. Different plans may offer varying degrees of coverage for preventive care, restorative procedures, and orthodontics.
#3. Evaluating The Coverage:
You should evaluate the coverage for common dental treatments and understanding any waiting periods or exclusions for pre-existing conditions is vital.
#4. Financial Response to Claims
Additionally, individuals should review the financial aspects of the insurance plan. This includes examining the deductibles, copayments, and annual maximums. Understanding these costs upfront will help individuals estimate their out-of-pocket expenses and determine the affordability of the plan.
OR, Just follow these tips:
- Seek customer reviews and ratings. It’s okay to look for feedback regarding customer satisfaction, claim processing efficiency, and overall experience.
- Read testimonials from current policyholders as it can provide insights into the insurance company’s responsiveness and reliability.
- Evaluate the insurance company’s financial ratings and stability to ensure they have the resources to fulfill their obligations.
- Comparing the coverage and pricing of different dental insurance companies.
- Look for plans that offer comprehensive coverage for a wide range of dental procedures, including preventive care, restorative treatments, and orthodontics if needed.
By considering these factors, You and other North Carolina residents can make an informed decision when choosing dental insurance and ensure that their oral health needs are adequately covered.
Read Also: 6+ Best Dental Insurance in Newfoundland
10+ Best Dental Insurance in North Carolina
The following are the best dental insurance in North Carolina:
- Blue Cross NC
- Humana
- Delta Dental
- Health Insurance Organization
- Dentalplans.com
- North Carolina Dental Association
- Smart Health Dental
- Ameritas
- BlueCross Blue Shield of North Carolina
- SpiritDental.
#1. Blue Cross North Carolina
Coverage Features: No waiting period, Dental and Vision plans, PPO plans…
Blue Cross NC offers one of the most dependable and affordable plans in North Carolina.
These are the categories of their dental plans:
- Individual plans
- Family plans, and Medicare
- Business plans.
They offer these 3 dental plans for individuals in North Carolina:
- Preventive Plan, which basically covers preventive services and savings on basic and major services.
- Value Plan covers preventive, basic, and major services. It has richer benefits in-network.
- The Core Plan also covers preventive, basic, and major services. It has the same benefit level for contracted and non-contracted dentists.
Feel free to check them out.
#2. Humana
Coverage Features: No waiting period, Dental and Vision plans, PPO plans…
Humana is a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. If you are to enroll in any Humana dental plan, know it depends on contract renewal.
They offer one of the most recognized dental insurance in North Carolina.
You can check them out.
#3. Delta Dental
Coverage Features: No waiting period, Dental and Vision plans…
Delta Dental is known to offer one of the best individual and family dental plans in North Carolina, and these plans include coverage for:
- Tooth-coloring
- Whitening
- Dental implants
- Fillings and many others…
The following are the plans they offer:
- Preventive plan which costs about $26.63/per month
- Enhanced plan which costs about $42.63/Month
- Premium plan which costs about $60.54/month.
They also offer dental and vision insurance in NC. You may love to check them out.
#4. Health Insurance Organization
This Organization through North Carolina’s health insurance marketplace offers you certified individual and family dental plans from over six insurers.
If you will be pushing your own stand-alone or family dental coverage through the exchange, your premiums will range from $36 to $102 per month.
You can learn more about them.
#5. Dentalplans.com
They offer one of the most affordable dental savings and insurance plans in North Carolina.
In their dental savings plan, you have the leverage to switch your dental savings plan at any time. Dentalplans.com also offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee to give you extra peace of mind.
They also made it easy such that so that for a low annual fee, you can get access to a nationwide network of dentists that provide 10-60% savings on the majority of York dental procedures, including preventive, restorative, and cosmetic treatments.
Learn more about them.
#6. North Carolina Dental Association
The North Carolina Dental Society has more than 3,900 member dentists across the state, and there’ll surely be a participating dentist near you.
They make it plain to you that any member dentist you choose has made a special commitment to uphold the ethical code, practice standards, and mission of the NC Dental Society, which is to sustain and improve the spectrum of oral health for you and other people of North Carolina by maintaining a relevant and effective dental profession.
Feel free to check them out.
#7. Smart Health Dental
Coverage Features: No waiting period…
A lot of features make the SHD insurance plans unique including:
- No waiting periods.
- Affords Individual and Family dental Insurance plans.
- Dental plans for seniors.
- Up to 100% coverage on preventive procedures.
- The national network of over 200,000 dental providers.
- Fast and easy enrollments
You may love to check them out.
#8. Ameritas
Coverage Features: Dental and Vision plans…
Ameritas is a health insurance agency in Durham that offers you dental plans and vision plans which they believe are great supplemental insurance options for Medicare and Marketplace health care plans.
The dental insurance plans from Ameritas cost between $21.81-$313.76 per month, depending on the level of your coverage.
Their site is currently not so available, but you can currently check for them at 3100 Tower Blvd, Durham, NC 27707 in the US.
#9. BlueCross Blue Shield of North Carolina
You will be able to access the dental coverage BlueCross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers through the “Health Plans of North Carolina” page. You can get a free quote there. Some of their plans also have no waiting period.
Feel free to check them out here.
#10. SpiritDental
Coverage Features: No waiting period, Implants…
Spiritdental is another amazing insurer that offers you affordable full-coverage dental plans with no waiting periods.
These full-coverage dental plans include immediate benefits for:
- Dental implants
- Crowns
- Root canal
- Bridges and many others…
You can also add Vision coverage for $7/mo.
Use the button to learn more about them.
Additional Dental Health Resources For You in North Carolina
In addition to dental insurance, Here are some other resources and offers in North Carolina that you can take advantage of, to ensure that you have access to affordable dental care:
1. North Carolina Dental Society (NCDS)
The NCDS provides a directory of member dentists and useful information on oral health.
They can assist you in finding reputable dentists in North Carolina.
2. NC Medicaid and Health Choice Dental Program
This program offers dental coverage for eligible low-income individuals and families. It helps provide essential dental services to those who may not have access to private dental insurance in NC.
3. Free and Reduced-Cost Clinics
North Carolina has numerous clinics that offer you free or reduced-cost dental services.
These clinics cater to individuals with limited financial resources and may provide preventive care, dental screenings, etc…
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my dental insurance outside of North Carolina?
Many dental insurance plans offer coverage outside of the state, but the extent of coverage may differ. It's recommended to check with your insurance provider regarding coverage details and networks when seeking dental care outside of North Carolina.
What happens if I exceed my annual maximum coverage?
If you exceed your annual maximum coverage, you will be responsible for the full cost of dental treatments beyond that limit. It's important to understand your plan's maximum coverage and budget accordingly to avoid unexpected expenses.
Can I change my dental insurance plan during the year?
Certain qualifying events, such as marriage, job loss, or relocation, may allow for changes outside of the enrollment period. Contact your insurance provider to inquire about any options for changing plans during the year.
Help me with some North Carolina state employee dental insurance.
Some North Carolina state employee dental insurance includes the NCFlex Dental Plan (Offered by the North Carolina Flexible Benefits program), the State Employee Association of North Carolina (SEANC) Dental Plan, and the North Carolina Retirement Systems (NCRS) Dental Plan.
Important Recommendations
- 13+ Best Dental Insurance in New Jersey
- 9+ Best Dental Insurance in Tennessee
- 10+ Best Dental Insurance in Indiana
Conclusion
With all these amazing dental insurance options in North Carolina we have provided for you, we hope your search will be over as you take advantage of these plans.
Do well to compare them to choose the one that suits your personal or family needs and budget. We wish you all the best!
Cheers!