Kaiser Dental Plans for Seniors
Kaiser has nationwide availability and a variety of HMO and PPO dental plans through Delta Dental.
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Dental insurance for seniors from carriers like Kaiser can bring major savings for expensive procedures and regular preventive care. This is especially the case for older adults facing retirement and losing their health coverage. Getting insurance can help with early detection and managing costs.
Kaiser Permanente is a well-known managed care consortium that offers dental health insurance and care through Delta Dental. In this guide we will review Kaiser’s dental insurance plans. We’ll also dive into their coverage for preventive care, restorative treatments, major procedures, and the costs associated with these plans.
Kaiser Dental Coverage Options
Kaiser Permanente has three dental plan options that may be a good fit for seniors. The first two plans outlined below are PPO, while the third is an HMO-type plan. Whether choosing PPO or HMO, older adults should consider their dental health-care needs and budget. They should also look at premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket costs, and network of dentists.
Plan costs and coverage can vary by age and location, as can the availability of discount cards. For example, in some states, Aetna Vital Savings offers a discount card for savings of 15 to 50 percent off dental services, with the discount card rate starting at $7.99 a month. The plan descriptions below are a sampling for a Florida resident at least 65 years old and do not include a discount card. Unlike Humana, which has a Bright Plus for Veterans plan, the plans offered by Delta do not include a designated plan for veterans.
Delta Dental PPO Individual Premium Plan
Best for: Seniors who want comprehensive dental coverage — like preventive, basic, and major services — with access to a large provider network. They must also be fine with paying higher premiums for lower out-of-pocket costs.
Under the Delta Dental PPO Individual Premium plan, subscribers save up to 40 percent at 2,527 in-network dentists, at any licensed dentist, when they get low-cost cleanings, and orthodontic coverage. Subscribers get immediate 100 percent coverage for essential preventive care and lower out-of-pocket costs. Coverage for fillings and teeth whitening is available after six months, and root canals and crowns are covered after 12 months.
FYI: PPO plans help cover dental care without fixed prices. Seeing a dentist in your network means you get charged lower rates and your plan pays part of the bill. An HMO plan requires you to choose a dentist in their network and typically covers most of the costs, but you have to stay within the network.
The Premium plan covers more procedures, has lower out-of-pocket costs, and covers root canals, crowns, dentures, and tooth implants after one year. There is a separate deductible for orthodontics. In comparison, Cigna does not cover dental implants. Like Aetna, this plan offers 50 percent coverage for dental repairs but also requires a waiting period.
Delta Dental PPO Individual Basic Plan
Best for: Seniors who want affordable coverage for preventive and basic dental services and like having access to a wide network of providers.
Subscribers to the Delta Dental PPO Individual Basic plan can save up to 40 percent at 2,527 in-network dentists, at any licensed dentist, when they get low-cost cleanings, and orthodontic coverage. You get 100 percent coverage for essential preventive care. Coverage for fillings and tooth removals begins after six months. Cleanings, exams, and X-rays are covered at 100 percent right away, but limitations and exclusions apply.
Pro Tip: Read our guide on the best dental plans for seniors to compare your options.
Like the Premium plan, subscribers must pay a $50 deductible per person each year before the plan starts making payments for major services. Subscribers do not have to meet a deductible to get coverage for preventive and diagnostic services.
DeltaCare USA Plans (FLA70) Individual/Family Dental Program
Best for: Aging adults who want lower premiums, predictable copayments, and comprehensive coverage that includes preventive, basic, and major dental services.
Under the DeltaCare USA plan, an HMO-type plan, subscribers will need to visit a general dentist at one of 130 primary care facilities. This plan has lower fixed costs and no deductibles or annual maximums, immediate coverage, and teeth whitening.
Did You Know? Regular dental exams can help detect the early stages of osteoporosis. Some 10 million Americans have osteoporosis.1
Subscribers can get low-cost preventive dental care and coverage for a broad range of services at an affordable price with the fixed copayment plan at $10. This means low copays for preventive care such as cleanings, exams, and X-rays. You can also get additional benefits, including teeth whitening. There is no annual deductible or maximum with this plan.
Kaiser Dental Plans for Seniors Costs
Kaiser has three dental plans through Delta Dental. Age, location, and other factors can impact pricing. The sample below is a dental plan quote for a 65-year-old living in Florida.
| Delta Dental PPO Individual Premium Plan | Delta Dental PPO Individual Basic Plan | DeltaCare USA Plans FLA70 Individual/Family Dental Program | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Premium | $48.79 per month | $21.57 per month | $8.92 per month (made in one payment of $107.04) |
| Enrollment Fee | $10 | $10 | $0 |
| Annual Deductible | $50 | $50 | $0 |
| Annual Maximum | $2,000 | $1,000 | $0 |
| Office Visit | $0 | $0 | $10 |
| Routine Cleaning and Exam | $0 | $0 | $20 for cleanings, limited for twice a year; exam is $0 |
| X-Rays | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fillings | 20% after 6-month waiting period and once you meet your deductible | 50% after 6-month waiting period and once you pay your deductible | $25 to $120 |
| Simple Extractions | 20% after 6-month waiting period and once you meet your deductible | 50% after 6-month waiting period and once you meet your deductible | $30 to $230 |
| Teeth Whitening | 20% after 6-month waiting period and once you meet your deductible | Not covered | $125 |
| Mouth Guards | 20% after 6-month waiting period and once you meet your deductible | Not covered | Not covered |
| Oral Surgery | 50% after 12-month waiting period and once you meet your deductible and once you meet your deductible | Not covered | Not covered |
| Root Canals | 50% after 12-month waiting period and once you meet your deductible | Not covered | $240–$400 |
| Gum Cleanings/Treatment | 50% after 12-month waiting period and once you meet your deductible | Not covered | $65 for gum cleaning, and $150 to $260 for treatments |
| Crowns | 50% after 12-month waiting period and once you meet your deductible | Not covered | $125 to $495 |
| Dentures | 50% after 12-month waiting period and once you meet your deductible | Not covered | $40 to $75 for repair and $495 for complete dentures |
| Implants | 50% after 12-month waiting period and once you meet your deductible | Not covered | Not covered |
| Orthodontia | 50% after 12-month waiting period and once you meet your deductible | Not covered | 75% for adults and child |
Did You Know? Your oral health can influence conditions like endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, and pneumonia. For example, certain germs in your mouth can affect your lungs — causing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.2 Stay on top of your health with free and low-cost dental care options.
Kaiser Medicare Advantage Plans With Dental Coverage
Kaiser Medicare Advantage plans offer even more options for dental coverage. Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage members can combine their Medicare coverage with Advantage Plus. With Advantage Plus, members can get comprehensive dental, fitness, vision, and hearing benefits all in one package. For example, in California, adding the Advantage Plus is $21 a month. Costs can range widely depending upon location, so older adults should request a free quote to get an accurate price. Here is a comparison chart below (hearing, vision, and fitness not shown):
| Senior Advantage Coverage Only | Senior Advantage and Advantage Plus Combined |
|---|---|
$0 office visit copay that includes:
|
Basic plus additional preventive, diagnostic, and periodontal services as part of comprehensive coverage that includes fillings, extractions, crowns, root canals, and dentures
Examples of other covered services:
|
If you’re interested in a Medicare Advantage plan, visit our guides to the best Medicare Advantage plans and best dental supplement plans to compare your options.
How to Purchase a Kaiser Dental Plan
You can purchase Kaiser Dental plans through the Delta Dental website. To look at your plan options simply fill in your ZIP code and birthdate. From there, your plan options will be displayed. Once you choose a plan that you like, you can click on “buy plan” at the top of the page. It will take you to another page to display your plan and cost details and require you to fill out your profile and contact details.
Customers can also call for assistance. However, unlike Cigna, Delta doesn’t have a chat feature or 24/7 customer service. However, Delta Dental does have an app to search for dentists, view their ID card, and more.
FYI: Having a dental insurance plan can keep dental work affordable and keep your teeth in good condition as you age. This is important since studies have shown poor oral health is linked to other conditions, including a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Kaiser Dental Reviews
Kaiser Permanente offers dental plans through Delta Dental, one of the largest dental insurance providers in the U.S. Delta Dental gets mostly negative reviews from customers who detail difficulty with getting reimbursement, poor customer support, claims issues, and low selection of specialist providers.
While the vast majority were negative reviews, one five-star reviewer stated, “Since I have had my teeth removed and replaced by dentures, there have been problems that had to be fixed or totally replaced by my dentist. Delta has always provided a great amount of funding to support those fixes and/or replacements. I appreciate their benefits.”
Remember to consider common themes when reading reviews rather than weighing any one review too heavily. Everyone’s experience is different. Plus, people are often more likely to leave reviews about negative experiences than positive ones.
Final Thoughts
Delta Dental PPO Premier Plan provides good benefits but has higher premiums than competitors. Also, it has long waiting periods for coverage — apart from preventive services — which can be an issue for some people. For example, Mutual of Omaha dental plans have no waiting period. The final enrollment fee is questionable, since most competitors like Humana or Cigna do not charge one. But Delta Dental offers a variety of plans to meet most needs.
Delta Dental is used by several companies. So, depending on the state, plans can be called different things. Customers should note that dental plans will vary by coverage, premiums, deductible, coverage maximums, and provider network. Delta Dental’s nationwide availability is a plus and their PPO Premium and DeltaCare plans even cover braces for adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What states offer Delta Dental?
Delta Dental PPO Individual Plans are offered in AL, CA, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, MT, NV, NY, PA, TX, UT, WV, and DC. DeltaCare USA individual plans are offered in CA, FL, MD, NV, NY, PA, TX, UT, and DC.
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Who can enroll in an individual plan?
Anyone can enroll in Delta Dental individual insurance plans any time of the year, but plans and costs can vary by state.
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What is the waiting plan for an individual Delta Dental plan?
A waiting period is a timeframe a subscriber must be enrolled for a certain service to be covered. Delta Dental has waiting periods for basic and major services. But diagnostic and preventive dental care does not require a waiting period. DeltaCare USA DHMO-type individual plans do not have waiting periods.
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Can I choose the start date for my plan?
Customers choosing Delta Dental PPO plans have flexible enrollment options. Four effective start dates are shown when you purchase your plan; these dates are based on the date the plan is purchased. For DeltaCare USA, plans have a set effective date that is based on when you buy the plan.
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Why is there an enrollment fee for the individual plan?
Plan subscribers will pay a one-time administrative fee for processing their application. For residents of AL, CA, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, MT, NV, PA, TX, UT, and D.C., it is nonrefundable. Qualifying dependents are not charged an additional fee.
Delta Dental. (2021). How your dentist can detect osteoporosis.
Mayo Clinic. (2024). Oral health: A window to your overall health.