The best dental insurance providers in Texas
While many dental insurance providers sell plans in Texas, we selected the top four based on an analysis of plan availability and variety, benefits, network size, average premium and deductible costs, waiting periods and other restrictions.
- Delta Dental
- Independence American Insurance company
- Ameritas Life
- UnitedHealthcare
Delta Dental Insurance Company
Delta Dental is one of the largest providers of dental insurance in the United States, with more than 80 million customers in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and other US territories.
The company has a national network of 39 subsidiary companies. In Texas, its plans are taken over by Alpha Dental Programs, Inc.
Delta Dental offers basic and premium versions of its DPO offering — both include a network of 2,049 general dentists and free cleanings. Teeth whitening, dentures and implant coverage are also available in some plans.
Delta Dental offers three plans for a 40-year-old living in Austin. All require a $10 registration fee.
- Basic Delta Dental Individual DPO: $19.92 per month. 100% coverage for preventive care. Fillings and extractions require a six-month waiting period. $50 annual deductible and $1,000 annual maximum
- Premium Delta Dental Individual DPO: $42.25 per month. 100% coverage for preventive care. Fillings and teeth whitening require a six-month waiting period. Covering root canals, crowns, dentures and implants after 12 months. $50 annual deductible and $1,500 annual maximum
- DeltaCare USA TXA70 Individual and Family Plan: $12.50 per month with one payment of $150. there are no waiting periods, annual caps or deductibles — however, there are copayments for most procedures. coverage of orthodontic services; access to 78 primary care facilities
Independence American Insurance Company
Independence American Insurance Company is known for its specialty health insurance, including a range of dental PPO and indemnity products.
Both models offer similar pricing and cost sharing:
- Discount: $50
- Maximum benefit: $1,000–$1,500
- Top-ups: $0–$20
- Preventive care: 100% covered by the reimbursement plan. 80%–100% covered in the PTA plan
- Diagnostic services: 80%–100% covered
- Basic care: 50%-80% covered
- Main care: 50%
- No waiting period for preventive care
On the company’s website, the results of the offer for a 50-year-old woman living in Houston, show six discounted options priced at $50 per person and monthly premiums ranging from $22.72 to $41.35.
Ameritas Life
Founded in 1887 and selling dental plans since 1959, Ameritas Life is an established company in the industry. The company provides dental and vision plans to over 8 million people across the country.
Ameritas boasts that its dental network is one of the largest in the United States, and participating providers offer savings of 25%–50% on out-of-pocket costs.
Most Ameritas dental plans offer next day coverage. All plans have no enrollment fees and cover 100% of in-network preventive visits.
Based on a search on the Ameritas website, someone living in San Antonio has the following insurance options for dental services only:
- PrimeStar Protect Network 2000: $38.38 monthly premium. $50 off. $2,000 maximum annual benefit. 100-80-50 cost sharing for preventive, essential and major dental services. there are no waiting periods. works with a network of providers
- PrimeStar Protect Network 1000: As above, but with a monthly premium of $31.80 and a maximum benefit of $1,000
- PrimeStar Protect 2000: $56.68 monthly premium. $50 off. $2,000 maximum annual benefit. 100-80-50 cost sharing for preventive, essential and important services. there are no waiting periods. you can use out-of-network providers, but you’ll save money by staying in-network
- PrimeStar Protect 1000: As above, but with a monthly premium of $45.28 and a maximum benefit of $1,000
UnitedHealthcare
As the the world’s largest health insurance company, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 40 million members across the United States. It offers a wide selection of dental programs with no age restrictions. Preventive care is covered with no deductibles or waiting periods. Plans are underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company.
A 27-year-old man living in Fort Worth, Texas, has 10 plan options on the company’s website. Here is a sample:
- Basic Dentistry: $17.98/month estimated premium. $50 off. $1,000 annual maximum; $50 basic services discounted. preventive care 80% covered; basic services 50% covered after a waiting period of four months. important services not covered
- Primary Plus Dental: $33.14/month estimated premium. $50 off. $1,000 annual maximum; there are no waiting periods. $50 basic services discounted. preventive care 100% covered. basic services covered 50%; important services not covered
- Premier Choice Dental: $42.04/month estimated premium. $50 off. $1,500 annual maximum; there are no waiting periods. $50 deductible for both basic and main services. preventive care 100% covered. basic services 50% covered; important services 10% covered; orthodontics is not covered
- Premier Plus Dental: $48.89/month estimated premium. $50 deductible; $2,000 annual maximum; there are no waiting periods. $50 deductible for both basic and main services. preventive care 100% covered. basic services 35% covered; important services 10% covered; Orthodontics 50% covered (12 month waiting period and $1,000 lifetime maximum applies)
