If you are exploring dental insurance options, you will quickly notice that Ameritas offers a range of plans designed to balance affordability with broad access to care. From preventive checkups to major restorative treatments, Ameritas provides structured coverage to help manage the cost of oral health. Understanding how these plans function is essential to determining whether they align with your personal or family needs.
Plan Options to Consider
Ameritas provides several types of dental insurance plans, with the most common being PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans. With an Ameritas PPO plan, you are free to see any licensed dentist of your choice, but you’ll save the most by visiting dentists within Ameritas’s network. These plans usually include an annual deductible, which you must meet before insurance begins covering a percentage of your care. Coverage typically extends to preventive, basic, and major services, each reimbursed at different rates. Most PPO plans also set an annual maximum, capping the total benefits Ameritas will pay each year.
In addition to PPO plans, Ameritas also offers more limited plan types designed for individuals and families seeking predictable costs and lower premiums. While these may restrict provider choice compared to PPOs, they often include set copayments and no annual maximum, making budgeting for dental care easier.
How Coverage Breaks Down
Ameritas emphasizes preventive care across all its dental insurance options. This usually means that routine exams, cleanings, and diagnostic X-rays are covered at or near 100% when you visit an in-network provider. Preventive services are encouraged because they help avoid more costly and invasive treatments down the line.
When it comes to basic services such as fillings, simple extractions, or emergency visits, Ameritas covers a percentage of the cost once your deductible is met. For more complex procedures, including crowns, dentures, or oral surgery, the insurance company will contribute a portion of the expense, though typically at a lower reimbursement rate than for preventive or basic services.
The amount you are responsible for depends on three main factors: whether your dentist participates in the Ameritas network, whether your deductible has been satisfied, and whether you are within your plan’s annual maximum.
How to Use Your Benefits
After enrolling in an Ameritas plan, using your benefits is straightforward. You may schedule an appointment with any licensed dentist, but choosing an in-network provider ensures lower out-of-pocket costs. Once you receive care, your dentist usually submits the claim directly to Ameritas. After processing, you will pay any applicable copays, coinsurance, or remaining balance at the office.
Ameritas also provides an online member portal where you can view processed claims, monitor remaining benefits, and access customer support resources. This tool makes it easier to manage your plan and keep track of how much coverage you have left during the benefit year.
What to Keep in Mind
Ameritas dental insurance is structured to make preventive care accessible while also helping offset the cost of more advanced treatments. By reviewing the details of each plan, including deductibles, copayments, and annual maximums, you can select the option that fits your budget and health goals. If you are uncertain which plan best suits your needs, consider speaking with a licensed agent or exploring Ameritas’s website to compare options available in your area.