Who Has the Cheapest Dental Insurance in Texas?
Guardian has the cheapest dental insurance in Texas. Plans start at $8 per month.
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Other cheap options for stand-alone dental insurance include Solstice Healthplans, Delta Dental and EMI Health.
Adults who earn a low income and meet another qualifying condition may have access to limited dental coverage through Medicaid. Children have access to full dental coverage through their regular health insurance, Medicaid or CHIP.
Cheap Texas dental insurance
Guardian has the cheapest dental coverage in Texas, with plans starting at under $8 per month.
Solstice Healthplans, Delta Dental and EMI Health all offer plans for less than $10 per month. Humana and DeltaCare USA sell plans starting at $10 per month.
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Although 12 companies sell stand-alone dental plans on the Texas health exchange, the number of companies you can choose from will depend on where you live. That's because some companies only sell policies in certain counties.
Texas dental insurance cost by company
Company | Monthly rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Guardian | $8 |
| Solstice Healthplans of Texas, Inc. | $8 |
| Delta Dental PPO | $9 |
| EMI Health | $9 |
| Humana | $10 |
Prices reflect the cheapest available stand-alone dental plan on the Texas health exchange for a single 40-year-old.
Keep in mind that the amount you pay for coverage will depend on the type of plan you get. HMO (health maintenance organization) and EPO (exclusive provider organization) plans tend to have the cheapest rates, but you'll have less freedom to choose your own dentist. Plus, only a few companies offer these plan types.
PPO (preferred provider organization) plans let you see doctors outside your network for a higher cost, but these plans tend to have higher monthly rates than HMO and EPO plans.
Free dental insurance programs in Texas
Most children age 20 and younger have dental coverage through free government insurance, called Medicaid or CHIP, if they live in a household with a low income. If you're an adult on Medicaid, your access to dental care will depend on where you live and the company managing your plan.
It's harder to get Medicaid in Texas than in other states because you need to earn a low income and meet another eligibility standard to qualify. The amount of money you can make and still get Medicaid depends on how you qualify.
In Texas, the state contracts with different companies to run its Medicaid program. Because most dental services are defined as "value-added services", companies get to choose how much coverage you get. For example, in Austin, Community Health Choice offers its Medicaid enrollees:
- One X-ray per year
- Two routine dental exams per year
- One dental kit per year with teeth cleaning
- Non-surgical extractions and emergency exams for those age 21 and older and pregnant women
In contrast, Medicaid enrollees who have coverage through Wellpoint get a single dental cleaning kit.
Other ways to get free or cheap dental coverage in TX
If you can't get dental coverage through Medicaid, you have several options for free or affordable dental services in Texas.
- Community health centers offer free or low-cost dental services for Texas residents who don't have insurance. You can find a local community health center through the Health Resources and Services Administration website.
- The Title V Maternal and Child Health Fee-for-Service Program covers dental services for women and children who earn a low-income, but aren't eligible for Medicaid, CHIP or another type of free health insurance.
- Visit a dental hygiene clinic or dental school for discounted services. The cost you'll pay depends on the type of service you get and the school or clinic you use. Call 211 or visit 211Texas.org to find cheap dental services in your area.
- Use Texas Mission of Mercy for extractions, fillings and cleanings. This mobile dental clinic also sometimes offers tooth implants and denture repairs.
If you're age 65 and older, you can often get free dental coverage through a $0 Medicare Advantage plan.
Keep in mind that not all Medicare Advantage plans offer dental coverage, and coverage levels differ between plans. That means it's a good idea to talk to a broker or company representative or carefully read your policy details before you buy.
How to get dental insurance in Texas
The best way to get dental insurance in Texas is through your employer or shopping for a plan through HealthCare.gov.
You can choose between stand-alone plans or add-on coverage to your regular health insurance. You can also buy dental insurance directly through a company.
It's important to remember that you can only buy dental insurance on HealthCare.gov during open enrollment (Nov. 1 to Jan. 15) unless you move, get married, lose your job or have another big life change.
Remember to shop around and compare rates to get the best deal.
What does dental insurance cover?
Marketplace dental insurance usually covers things like exams, cleanings and X-rays.
But covered services can differ by plan, so it's important to check your policy details before you buy. This is especially important if you need orthodontics because not all plans cover braces.
Remember that dental plans often have coverage limits for certain types of procedures, called annual or lifetime maximums. These limits typically apply to major dental work such as crowns, implants, braces and dentures.
All marketplace health plans cover routine dental exams and cleanings for children. But, you may want to buy extra coverage for other services such as fillings or root canals.
When shopping on HealthCare.gov, you'll have the option to buy a "high" or "low" dental plan.
- High dental plans have expensive monthly rates, but you'll pay less when you visit the dentist.
- Low dental plans have cheap monthly rates, but you'll pay more when you go to the dentist.
It's a good idea to get a high dental plan if you have an ongoing problem that requires a lot of work such as root canals, implants or dentures. Low plans usually make sense if you're in good health, and you don't think you'll need any major procedures in the coming year.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the best cheap dental insurance in Texas?
Guardian has the cheapest dental insurance in Texas. Plans start at $8 per month.
Other affordable options include Solstice, Delta Dental and EMI Health.
How much is dental insurance in Texas?
Dental insurance costs $21 per month in Texas, on average. That's slightly cheaper than the national average of $22 per month.
Can I get free dental insurance in Texas?
Yes, you can get free dental insurance in Texas through some Medicaid plans if you're an adult. Children age 20 and younger can get free coverage through Medicaid or CHIP.
If you don't qualify for Medicaid, you may be able to get free or discounted dental services through mobile clinics, dental schools or clinics.
Methodology
The cost for dental insurance in Texas came from HealthCare.gov's publicly available dental plan datasets and are for a single, 40-year-old person. Unless otherwise noted, rates are for the cheapest plan available on HealthCare.gov.
Other information came from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
