Preventative or preventive care? Word preferences aside, no matter how it’s sliced and diced, you’re going to have to deal with annual co-payments, deductibles, and
maximum benefits as part of the dental game.
Hope this is printable.
In case you missed this post, the VA has partnered with Delta Dental and Met Life to offer dental plans to veterans beginning January 1, 2014. The most expensive Met Life plan offers the best coverage but it costs almost as much as my monthly car insurance premium so that’s pretty crazy. On the other hand, oral health is extremely important and until these body parts get mainstreamed into the whole body, like brains have recently (new mental health rules), we are stuck with lousy dental insurance options.
Aren’t you glad we don’t have to buy a separate insurance policy for every region of our anatomy? Foot insurance. Knee insurance. And so on. Or if you only be covered for ear infection every 2 years, one broken bone, every 8 years…etc. That’s the absurdity we see in the contract we call dental insurance.
I created the worksheet above for myself so I could compare the VA plans with the AARP Delta Plan and AAA Automobile Association of America (MN) Delta dental plan. We’re leaning towards the VA cheapest “standard” plan for $9.73 per month. It will cover two prophylaxes (cleanings), within a 12 month period and exams and x-rays. After reviewing his new treatment plan, he can upgrade to a better plan. We would be spending more out-of-pocket if he had to pay 100% for these services than the premiums.
He’s already seeing a Delta Dental PPO network dentist on their list so they’ll file the claim for us and won’t “balance bill” for more than the negotiated in-network fee. Sometimes private standalone dental plans resemble cell phone plans. You have to commit to a time period. In the case of Delta, you must commit to the VA plans for 12-months of coverage and then you can re-enroll on a month-to-month basis. You 
have to pay via required electronic funds transfer (EFT).
A reasonable online tool to estimate dental costs by region is here: http://www.bracesinfo.com/dentalcosts/
Grievances
Can you take your dental insurance company to small claims court if they don’t pay your dentist as per contract? First you have to read and understand your plan(s) fine print. You can’t rely on a customer service conversation or chat session for your information about your contract. If you have dental insurance through an employer, you might be covered under ERISA. Does the VA have a similar fiduciary role in these dental contracts–to make sure the insurance companies are working in veterans’ best interests?
Although these plans, like all dental plans, are grossly deficient, the VA has taken an important first step in helping non-SC veterans and CHAMPVA dependents, get access to some basic dental care and get screened for oral cancers. The VA will probably get a little money per veteran for the VA’s coffers too.
Update: My DH is enrolled, via the VA’s Delta page, in the standard plan for $9.73 per month (in our zip code). For $116.76 total premium, he can get 2 cleanings, exams, x-rays which is a reasonable charge. The treatment plan will indicate if he should buy a more comprehensive plan later after doing some simple arithmatic. Most importantly, he can stay with the same sanitary dental practice. If he buys another plan, he will enjoy an extra cleaning or two.
asknod
Bethanie Spangenberg
kcraveiro
robinhoodesqvetsatty
Wesley McCauley
Veterans Claims Help 
I purchased the Metlife insurance and took both of my children for fluoride treatment and cleanings. Metlife paid for one child immediately but waited six months to pay for the other. I took them back the same time the following year and the dentist filed the claim. Metlife paid for one child but refused to pay for the second because they said it was too soon for fluoride because it hasnt been a year. They say they go by claim paid, not date of service. Who can I complain to?
Hi, We also have MetLife through the VA. Is that what you have? And did you go to an in-network dentist or out of network? I’m seeing a out-of-network dentist and because I need crowns, I got a pre-treatment determination first…which they recommend for over $300 worth of service. If the contract you have is vague, I would appeal to MetLife. Also, do you have an online login–there may be more notes there and information on how to appeal. I mean really, how are patients supposed to know all their gotcha rules.
I’ll look around to see if there is a VA complaint # and post it if I can find it. But appeal. You weren’t informed. And then there’s always small claim court…for a minimal amount, you might get a friendly judge to award you 1K for your troubles and time. Keep us updated!
Thank you for the valuable info. I take them to an in-network Dentist. The customer service reps at Metlife won’t listen. I will appeal the decision and will definitely pursue small claims if their process isn’t satisfactory. Thank you again.
Spouse works in the Dental community and says many dentists will no accept Met Life because it is slow pay. More dentists accept Delta Dental. Find out what dentists in your area support either plan first. VADIC doe not cover your spouse, just the vet.
I found that to be true in WA state, but here on the east coast, MetLife Dental is the one most dentists accept as in-network… so YMMV.
This is the exact same plan offered to all federal employees under FEDVIP (same with Delta Dental) but getting it through VADIP is $35 cheaper.
I’m glad to hear that the Va negotiated a discount. That’s good information. Delta has so many price points. Delta Premier has a fair amount of dentists, the Delta PPO plans. Other Delta plans, good luck. The dentists won’t work for peanuts when they know what profit machines these policies are. Dentists should be treated like all other doctors. They should have hospital privileges too.
There shouldn’t be insurance for different body parts!