California Dental Insurance

By Susan Braden

Are you a California resident looking for affordable dental care? Is your dental insurance inadequate or scheduled to terminate? If so, read on for more info about the alternatives to dental insurance in your area.

Medicaid

The federal government partners with states like California to offer Medicaid coverage to children under 21, people with disabilities, and adults who have very low incomes.

• By government mandate, Medicaid is required to furnish comprehensive routine and emergency dental care to children as part of its mission to promote health and advocate preventative care.

• However, an increasing amount of dentists do not accept Medicaid patients, including children.

• California budget cuts in 2009 stripped adults of similar coverage. Now, all that Denti-Cal pays for is dental care that relieves pain or infection, with pregnant women and nursing home residents eligible for slightly better benefits.

Medicare

People with disabilities and seniors in California are usually eligible for Medicare. This federal program gives patients help in paying for hospitalization, rehabilitation, long term care, and medical equipment.

• However, Congress has prohibited Medicare from providing coverage for routine dental care, including cleanings, fillings, dentures, crowns, and tooth extractions.

• The only exception occurs in cases in which a dental procedure such as an extraction must take place before another medical operation can happen. Seniors who only have Medicare should, therefore, look elsewhere for assistance with their dentist expenses.

Dental Access Plan powered by the Aetna Dental Access network

(For this reduced rate, call 1Dental at 1-800-372-7615)

Monthly Membership = $14.95

Savings = 15-50% off

Sample Discounted Prices:

• Checkup = $35
• Adult Cleaning = $67
• White Filling (front tooth) = $101
• Porcelain Crown = $825
• Root Canal (molar - excluding final restoration) = $851

Alliance HealthCard Gold Card

Annual Membership (Individual) = $144.95

Sample Discounted Prices:

• Checkup = $27
• Adult Cleaning = $62
• White Filling = $82
• Porcelain Crown = $680
• Root Canal (front tooth) = $420
• Full Upper Denture = $803

Dental Care Advantage

Annual Membership (Individual) = $124.95

Sample Discounted Prices:

• Checkup = $19
• Adult Cleaning = $78
• White Filling =  $108
• Porcelain Crown = $852
• Root Canal (front tooth) = $576
• Full Upper Denture = $1138

UNI-Care 200 Discount Dental Plan

Annual Membership (Individual) = $114.95

Sample Discounted Prices:

• Checkup = $16
• Adult Cleaning = $39
• White Filling = $66
• Porcelain Crown = $561
• Root Canal (front tooth) = $311
• Full Upper Denture = $713

Careington 500 Series

(available on 1Dental.com)

Monthly Membership (Individual) = $14.95

Savings = 20-60% off or more

• Checkup = $26
• Adult Cleaning = $49
• White Filling = $77
• Porcelain Crown = $667
• Root Canal (front tooth) = $380
• Full Upper Denture = $859

For the most up-to-date treatment prices in your area, please visit 1Dental's list of discounts and enter your zip code.

Conclusion

There seems little hope that California’s mammoth budget will be balanced anytime soon, and many residents are seeking viable alternatives to traditional dental insurance to cut high costs of oral health.  Consider taking advantage of one of the many discount dental options available in your area.