Dental insurance after retirement

[Buckeye]

I use the Dentegra Dental Discount Plan that I comes with my AARP/UHC Medicare Supplement Plan G. I did the comparison with other dental insurance plans and decided to keep using it as it doesn't have an annual max benefit. I get about 35% discount off my dentist's costs.

I saw that I have Dentegra with my AARP/UHC Plan G HD and I wondered how good it was. Luckily, as a veteran, I have access to the Veterans Administration Dental Insurance Plan. I pay $43.58 per month for Delta Delta with a $3,000 annual benefit (the highest plan).

 

[testing321]

We have used Delta Dental Premium for about a decade since I retired. I keep a spreadsheet that tracks charges, in-network discounts, Delta payments to dentists and what I owe for wifey and I for each visit, and the in-network discounts plus Delta payments significantly exceed our premiums. Plus the premiums are an adjustment (subtraction) from my self employment income on Schedule 1 line 17. The premium plan covers dental implants which we both have needed. So for us, a big win-win.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

Self insure. For the two of us, annual cost <$1000 in the past 10 years.
I am fairly well educated in most dental care aspects as I was a study patient at the University Dental school for 2.5 years. I do believe that most or too many practices are monetized first and patient care second. It was always hard to find an "honest" dentist; hence, my University experience.

 

[TripleLindy]

We skip dental insurance. Most years we come out well ahead, as we rarely need anything beyond cleaning. I’ve had a couple of crowns replaced where insurance may have been helpful, but it would have to be inexpensive. I think a crown was around $1k, so dental insurance would have to be under $100/month to just break even.

 

[MC Rider]

Last few years I've paid almost nothing for dental, 4 cleanings a year , Xrays once. Until last month I had a new dentist, the old one retired. Did not say a word at the appointment. Today I got hit with an unexpected bill for $350, and it says that's after insurance. Bleep!

 

[CincyDave]

Last few years I've paid almost nothing for dental, 4 cleanings a year , Xrays once. Until last month I had a new dentist, the old one retired. Did not say a word at the appointment. Today I got hit with an unexpected bill for $350, and it says that's after insurance. Bleep!

What did you have done for the $350? Maybe time to look for a new dentist or new insurance.

 

[Buckeye]

What did you have done for the $350? Maybe time to look for a new dentist or new insurance.

Time to check out that EOB!

 

[sandbox2832]

What did you have done for the $350? Maybe time to look for a new dentist or new insurance.

Last few years I've paid almost nothing for dental, 4 cleanings a year , Xrays once. Until last month I had a new dentist, the old one retired. Did not say a word at the appointment. Today I got hit with an unexpected bill for $350, and it says that's after insurance. Bleep!I

It may be a code error or misinfo between the coomputers of former dentist and new one or they failed to let you know about prices or insurance coverage not being the same. I would call their office back and fuss about it. All they can do is tell you no. One has nothinig to lose by trying if one believes it is a billing error of some kind.

Not the same topic but I am dealing with Medicare and my other insurance as to which is medical primary.

My former job before I retired had filed a claim last in summer 2024 and it showed that Medicare was secondary, which was accurate at that time. Then I retired end of July same year yet no one notified Medicare they had been listed as Secondary by former health insurance, and as of end of July they now became Primary coverage

I went to the Wellness Exam for the first time this January 2026, updated dr with new insurance card info so their computer end was right. I called Medicare later and found out their data showed they were secondary, so they updated it on Medicare end and thought all was well. The claims after January went through and were paid properly. I was told of the denial for the Jan exam about a month ago as it said Medicare was secondary, despite having called it in. It wiil work out. I had to re-call Medicare to make sure it was still primary and it was not--somehow it got switched back again. Finally my dr resubmitted the wellness bill after it flowed in space inside their office the past two weeks, despite their saying, we must have the agent name you talked to with Medicare and a reference number or we can't resubmit it, and I refused to cave in.

Medical companies and their rules and trying to get their computers to talk to one another and then, if the codes are wrong, and all else is good, a claim can still be denied. One thing is certain, I do not plan to go for any more future Wellness Exams as the 15 minute visit to just chit chat is not worth $600! I am glad to have dental coverage with my former employer as it still works and is good. No issues with that.

I hope your insurance stuff is just miscoded or something that can be adjusted, if you like the new dentist. Good dentists, if you mainly only use them for cleaning, are hard to find. Good luck with the people that are handling the coding stuff on the bills. Have a good week.

 

[MC Rider]

It may be a code error or misinfo between the coomputers of former dentist and new one or they failed to let you know about prices or insurance coverage not being the same. I would call their office back and fuss about it. All they can do is tell you no. One has nothinig to lose by trying if one believes it is a billing error of some kind.

I plan to, have been procrastinating. Insurance did not pay $175 for X rays which I think should be covered. I will get back to them.

Did not pay $60 for "oral hygiene instructions" and $84 for "tobacco counseling". These are just BS charges. They also wanted to sell me a bridge for $12,000 which would only cover 2 teeth and not ones that are important for chewing. I will not buy that. Will probably find a new dentist.

 

[JoeWras]

I plan to, have been procrastinating. Insurance did not pay $175 for X rays which I think should be covered. I will get back to them.

Did not pay $60 for "oral hygiene instructions" and $84 for "tobacco counseling". These are just BS charges. They also wanted to sell me a bridge for $12,000 which would only cover 2 teeth and not ones that are important for chewing. I will not buy that. Will probably find a new dentist.

You need a new dentist. Bridges are expensive, but that's crazy.

In previous years, DW and I broke even or nearly even just with the 2x per year cleanings. OK, maybe we paid a couple hundred per year more than if we just paid straight.

This year I'm dealing with an endodontic issue and I'll use the yearly $1500 max. We'll be "ahead." I guess that's OK. I mostly keep this insurance to stay on my old employer's plan in case I have to access the medical portion, which I have not had to do yet. Any lapse in coverage forever disqualifies me.

 

[CincyDave]

Did not pay $60 for "oral hygiene instructions" and $84 for "tobacco counseling". These are just BS charges.

If your dentist is billing crap like this, I would definately be looking for a new one.

 

[CalBird]

Self insured. Like the flexibility and tired of dealing with insurance companies.

 

[FIYes]

I didn’t have dental insurance before retirement and I don’t have it now. A few years ago I purchased dental insurance and it just didn’t pay off, so I dropped it. Dental costs are our major expense. Last year we spent $20,000 on dental care. DH had implants. This year we are on track to spend over $7,000.

I’m grateful we still have our teeth, but this is a MAJOR expense.

 

[MRG]

BIL is a retired dentist. We talked about it. He agreed with self insurance as it mainly prepayment. The exception is what was mentioned about unions etc.

I see a lot new "corporate dentists" in our area. While I understand some of the costs associated with starting a practice, its a trend I fear will make dentistry even more expensive.