Trying to find affordable health and dental coverage can feel like a never-ending puzzle. There are so many insurance plans, each with different benefits, costs, and confusing terms. And when you’re looking for a health plus dental plan, things can get even trickier. You want something that covers essential medical care, helps with dental needs, and doesn’t break the bank.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Whether you’re looking for comprehensive coverage for your family or a simple way to save money on routine cleanings and doctor visits, the right combined plan is out there. You just have to know what to look for.
This guide breaks it all down. You’ll learn how combined health and dental plans work and what to consider when choosing one so you can confidently choose the right plan for you and your family.
What is a Health Plus Dental Plan?
Before choosing a combined plan, it’s important to understand how health plans and dental plans work on their own. Each type of coverage serves a different purpose, and knowing what they include—and what they don’t—will help you make a smarter decision when selecting a combined plan.
Understanding Health Insurance Plans
Choosing a health insurance plan isn’t just about finding the lowest cost. You need to make sure you get the right type of insurance plan and the right coverage for your needs.
Types of Health Insurance Plans
The type of insurance plan you choose will determine how you access primary care, specialists, and hospital services. Not all work the same way. Here are the most common types of health plans:
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): Requires choosing a primary care doctor and getting referrals for specialists. Lower costs, but you must use in-network providers.
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): Offers more flexibility to see any doctor, but has higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for out-of-network care.
- Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO): Similar to PPO but with no out-of-network coverage except in emergencies. Lower premiums than PPO but fewer choices.
- Point of Service (POS): A mix of HMO and PPO benefits. Requires a primary care doctor, but you can see out-of-network specialists at a higher cost.
- High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP): Has lower monthly premiums but higher deductibles. Often paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA) for tax-free savings.
If you’re looking for comprehensive health care without insurance, a discount health plan is a great option. Unlike traditional insurance plans, these discount health benefit plans provide a membership-based model that offers significant savings on medical services without the high premiums, deductibles, or claim forms. These plans work by negotiating reduced rates with a nationwide network of providers so members can pay a lower out-of-pocket cost for doctor visits, prescription medications, dental care, and more.
Types of Health Coverage
The level of coverage you get depends on the insurance plan you choose. Each plan covers a percentage of medical expenses, leaving you responsible for the rest through copays, coinsurance, or deductibles:
- Preventive care: Fully covered under most plans with no out-of-pocket costs. Includes annual checkups, vaccinations, and screenings.
- Basic medical services: Includes doctor visits and urgent care. Often covered at 70%-80% after you meet the deductible.
- Emergency room & hospitalization: Usually covered at 60%-80% after meeting the deductible, with possible copays.
- Prescription drugs: Some plans require copays, while others have tiered pricing for generics vs. brand-name medications.
- Major medical services: Includes surgeries, maternity care, and ongoing treatment for medical conditions. Usually has a coinsurance requirement (often 20%-40%).
Understanding Dental Insurance Plans
Just like health insurance plans, dental insurance plans come in different forms, each with its own rules, network restrictions, and covered services. Choosing the right dental plan means understanding how they work, the levels of dental coverage, what they cover, and how much you’ll need to pay out of pocket.
Types of Dental Insurance Plans
Some dental insurance plans provide greater flexibility in choosing a dentist, while others require you to stick to a network of participating providers. Here are the most common types of dental insurance plans:
- Dental Health Maintenance Organization (Dental HMO or DHMO): Requires you to use participating dental providers in the network. Lower costs, but limited provider choices and no coverage for out-of-network care.
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Dental Plan: Allows you to see any dentist, but offers better coverage if you stay within the network. Higher premiums than DHMO plans but more flexibility.
- Dual-Choice Dental Plans: Gives members the option to switch between a DHMO and PPO dental plan based on their needs at a given time. Offers more comprehensive coverage but may come with higher costs.
- Indemnity Dental Insurance: Lets you visit any dentist and pay upfront, then get reimbursed for a percentage of the cost. Often has higher deductibles and waiting periods.
Discount dental plans (also called dental benefits plans or dental health plans) are another great option if you’re looking for affordable dental care. While not dental insurance, these membership-based plans offer discounted rates on dental services from participating dental providers. There are no waiting periods, and you pay out of pocket for all care at reduced rates.
Types of Dental Insurance Coverage
Depending on your dental insurance plan, dental insurance coverage options may cover preventive services, basic and major services, and other ancillary services:
- Preventive services: Includes routine cleanings, fluoride treatment, exams, and X-rays. Often covered 100% with no deductible or waiting periods.
- Basic services: Covers fillings, extractions, and simple periodontal treatments. Typically requires a copayment or coinsurance of 20%-50%.
- Major services: Includes crowns, bridges, dentures, root canals, and dental implants. Requires may have higher copayment or coinsurance, usually 50%.
- Orthodontic coverage: Some dental insurance plans cover braces and aligners, though often at a lower percentage (e.g., 50%) and with a lifetime maximum.
- Emergency dental care: Covers urgent dental needs like severe pain relief or treatment for knocked-out teeth. Coverage varies based on the insurance plan.
- Cosmetic procedures: Services like teeth whitening or veneers. Typically not covered, though some dental plans may offer limited discounts.
Understanding Dental Benefits and Health Plans
A combined plan combines medical and dental insurance coverage into one package, offering convenience and often lower costs compared to purchasing separate insurance policies. These plans are designed to provide comprehensive coverage for both medical conditions and dental needs, so they are a practical choice for individuals and families who want a streamlined approach to total health care.
The cost of a combined plan varies depending on the insurance company, plan options, and level of coverage. On average, standalone health plans can range from a few hundred to several thousand per year, while dental insurance plans typically cost between $20 to $50 per month. Bundling them together lets you save money on premiums and administrative fees while gaining access to a wider network of providers.
Most combined plans cover preventive care like routine cleanings, checkups, and vaccinations at little to no out-of-pocket cost, while basic and major services such as root canals, X-rays, and hospital visits may require copayments or coinsurance.
How to Choose the Right Combined Plan
Not all combined plans are created equal. The right insurance plan should provide the coverage you need with providers you prefer at a cost you can afford, without excessive waiting fees or hidden periods.
Bundling health and dental insurance can be a great way to save money. However, it’s important to compare plan options carefully to make sure you’re getting real value, not just convenience. To make the best choice, keep the following factors in mind.
Budget
A low premium may seem appealing, but high deductibles and copays can add up quickly. Look at the plan’s full cost, including out-of-pocket expenses, to make sure it fits your financial situation.
Oral Health Needs
A basic dental plan may work if you only need preventive care like routine cleanings and X-rays. But if you require major services like root canals or dental implants, choose a plan with strong dental benefits and no long waiting periods.
Health Needs
Consider whether the plan covers your medical conditions and any necessary ongoing treatments. If you take prescription medications or require frequent doctor visits, make sure the plan provides comprehensive coverage without excessive out-of-pocket costs.
Provider Preferences
Some plans limit you to a specific network of participating providers. If you have a trusted primary care dentist or doctor, check whether they are in-network to avoid paying higher costs for out-of-network services.
If you don’t have a primary care doctor or dentist, look for plans with a wide network or even nationwide network of participating providers so you have plenty of options.
Plan Details
Read the plan documents carefully to understand important details such as:
- Waiting periods
- Covered services
- Potential frequency limitations
- Deductibles
- Coverage percentages
- Copayments and coinsurance fees
Also, check if the plan has a calendar year maximum, which may cap how much the plan will cover annually for medical and dental care.
Affordable Health and Dental Coverage Made Simple with AmeriPlan
Finding the right plan for your health and dental needs doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The key is to balance cost, coverage, and provider options so you can get the care you need without breaking the bank. Choosing a combined plan keeps you covered from head to toe.
While combined plans can present cost savings, they may still be expensive, especially for those with tighter budgets. That’s where AmeriPlan comes in! Unlike traditional insurance policies, we offer discount health benefit plans that help you save money on essential dental care, medical services, and more.
With a nationwide network of participating providers, no waiting periods, and simple membership pricing, we make accessing affordable healthcare easy. For one low monthly fee of $19.95 for our AmeriPlan Dental Plus plan or $39.95 per month for our AmeriPlan Deluxe Plus plan, your entire household can get significant discounts on dental services, vision benefits, telehealth, chiropractic care, and even major medical and dental services—without the hassle of claim forms or insurance company restrictions.
Taking care of your physical and oral health shouldn’t be a financial burden. Check out our discounted health benefit plans today to start enjoying real savings on the services you and your family need most!
Choosing the Right Combined Plan: Key Takeaways
- A health plus dental plan combines medical and dental coverage into one package, offering convenience and potential cost savings while ensuring access to essential health and dental care.
- Understanding health and dental insurance plans—including their types, levels of coverage, and waiting periods—is crucial to making an informed decision about which plan best meets your needs.
- Choosing the right combined plan requires evaluating key factors such as budget, oral health needs, health needs, provider preferences, and plan details to ensure the best balance of coverage and cost.