June 14, 2022
2 minute read

You have health insurance, but what about vision and dental insurance?

It’s important to have insurance for health, dental, and vision. But does one plan cover them all, or do you need separate plans for each type of coverage? The simple answer is: you may need to shop for individual plans to get coverage that fits your needs.

Does health insurance cover dental care?

Health insurance plans may cover dental care, but it can depend on your age and your plan. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), dental coverage is considered an “essential health benefit,” but only for children. That means if you’re purchasing health coverage for someone age 18 or younger, dental coverage must be available as part of a health plan or as a stand-alone plan. Please note, while the children’s dental must be available, it does not mean you are required to purchase it.

Does health insurance cover vision care?

All ACA-qualified health plans also include vision coverage for children. The required vision benefits for children will at least partially cover services like eye exams and glasses. For adults, however, vision and dental care coverage is different under the law.

How does dental and vision insurance work for adults?

The ACA does not require that health insurance plans for adults include vision or dental coverage. It’s important to look at your policy carefully to see what’s covered. Your individual plan may include insurance for health, dental, and vision. However, typically dental and vision services are not covered by health insurance plans.

  • If dental or vision care is covered as part of your health insurance plan, you generally pay one monthly premium for everything.
  • If dental or vision care is not covered in your plan, you can purchase stand-alone plans to cover those services.

It’s important to note that you can purchase dental and vision plans at any time — not just during the Open Enrollment Period. You will pay a separate monthly premium for these stand-alone plans. Costs can vary based on coverage selections.

Can you use dental insurance and then cancel it?

While this is technically possible, there are a number reasons why this would not be recommended:

  1. Many dental insurance plans have a waiting period before some or all of the benefits begin. You may not have your services covered if you purchase a plan with the intention of quickly canceling it.
  2. Some plans have benefits that increase over time. The longer you keep your plan, the more services it may cover, and possibly at a higher percentage.
  3. Dental emergencies occur. There may come a time when you need dental coverage when you least expect it.

Find insurance for health, dental, and vision now

Whether you already have plans for health, dental, and vision, or maybe you need just one of the three, HealthMarkets can help you review your coverage options, at no cost to you. Call (800) 827-9990 to speak with a licensed insurance agent today. You can also get started shopping online now.

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© 2024 HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. All rights reserved.

* Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and Part D options can be explored.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week). If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.

Attention: This website is operated by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace® website. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency nationwide except in MA. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability varies by state. Sales agents may be compensated based on a consumer’s enrollment in an insurance plan. No obligation to enroll. Agent cannot provide tax or legal advice. Contact your tax or legal professional to discuss details regarding your individual business circumstances. Our quoting tool is provided for your information only. All quotes are estimates and are not final until consumer is enrolled. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency offers the opportunity to enroll in either QHPs or off-Marketplace coverage. Please visit HealthCare.gov for information on the benefits of enrolling in a QHP. Off-Marketplace coverage is not eligible for the cost savings offered for coverage through the Marketplaces.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call the Plan’s customer service phone number for more information.

48643-HM-0622

© 2024 HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. All rights reserved.

* Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and Part D options can be explored.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week). If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.

Attention: This website is operated by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace® website. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency nationwide except in MA. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability varies by state. Sales agents may be compensated based on a consumer’s enrollment in an insurance plan. No obligation to enroll. Agent cannot provide tax or legal advice. Contact your tax or legal professional to discuss details regarding your individual business circumstances. Our quoting tool is provided for your information only. All quotes are estimates and are not final until consumer is enrolled. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency offers the opportunity to enroll in either QHPs or off-Marketplace coverage. Please visit HealthCare.gov for information on the benefits of enrolling in a QHP. Off-Marketplace coverage is not eligible for the cost savings offered for coverage through the Marketplaces.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call the Plan’s customer service phone number for more information.

48643-HM-0622

© 2024 HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. All rights reserved.

* Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and Part D options can be explored.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1- 877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week). If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.

Attention: This website is operated by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace® website. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an insurance agency nationwide except in MA. Not all agents are licensed to sell all products. Service and product availability varies by state. Sales agents may be compensated based on a consumer’s enrollment in an insurance plan. No obligation to enroll. Agent cannot provide tax or legal advice. Contact your tax or legal professional to discuss details regarding your individual business circumstances. Our quoting tool is provided for your information only. All quotes are estimates and are not final until consumer is enrolled. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency offers the opportunity to enroll in either QHPs or off-Marketplace coverage. Please visit HealthCare.gov for information on the benefits of enrolling in a QHP. Off-Marketplace coverage is not eligible for the cost savings offered for coverage through the Marketplaces.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call the Plan’s customer service phone number for more information.

48643-HM-0622