Ameritas is a well-established dental insurance provider known for offering a variety of dental plans tailored to meet different needs. Their plans cover preventive care, basic treatments, and major dental services, including treatment for gum disease and gum inflammation. Ameritas dental insurance is designed to help individuals and families maintain good oral health by reducing out-of-pocket costs for dental care. The company provides access to a large network of dentists nationwide, making it easier to find in-network providers and save money.
Types of Ameritas Dental Insurance Plans
Ameritas offers several dental insurance plans, primarily categorized into network-based and non-network plans:
Advantage Network Plans: These plans are best for individuals who prefer to use Ameritas network providers. They offer discounted fees and lower premiums. Examples include Advantage 1000 Network and Advantage Plus 2000 Network plans, with annual maximum benefits ranging from $1,000 to $2,500.
Advantage Plus Plans: These plans allow more freedom to visit any dentist, including out-of-network providers, but usually at higher premiums and with less discount on services.
PPO Plans: Ameritas PPO plans cover preventive, basic, and major dental services with no waiting periods for most services. They include the Ameritas Indemnity w/PPO, Standard PPO, and Preventive PPO plans, each with different coverage levels and annual maximums.
Indemnity Plans: These plans offer more flexibility in choosing dentists but may have different cost-sharing structures and waiting periods for some services.
Advantages of Ameritas Dental Insurance
No Waiting Periods: Most Ameritas plans have no waiting periods for preventive and basic services, allowing immediate coverage for cleanings, exams, fillings, and treatment for gum disease.
Large Network: Ameritas has over 400,000 access points and 100,000+ in-network dentists nationwide, which helps policyholders save money through discounted fees.
Comprehensive Coverage: Plans cover preventive care (100% coverage), basic services like fillings and periodontal work (treatment of gum inflammation and gum disease), and major services such as crowns, bridges, and implants.
Affordable Options: Multiple plan levels and annual maximums allow customers to choose coverage that fits their budget and dental needs.
Coverage for All Ages: Ameritas offers dental plans for adults, seniors (65+), and children, including orthodontic coverage for eligible plans.
No Enrollment Fees and Satisfaction Guarantee: There are no enrollment fees, and Ameritas provides a 30-day customer satisfaction guarantee.
Coverage of Ameritas Dental Insurance
Ameritas dental plans typically cover:
Preventive Services (Type 1): Exams, cleanings (usually two per year), fluoride treatments for children, bitewing and panoramic X-rays, and sealants. These are covered at 100% in-network.
Basic Services (Type 2): Fillings, simple tooth extractions, root canals, periodontal treatments (including treatment for gum disease and gum inflammation), and emergency palliative care. Coverage is often around 80% in-network with deductibles applying.
Major Services (Type 3): Crowns, bridges, dentures, dental implants, oral surgery, and periodontal surgery. Coverage is usually 50% in-network after a waiting period in some plans.
Orthodontics: Some plans offer orthodontic coverage with a lifetime maximum, typically for children under 19 years old.
Related Costs of Ameritas Dental Insurance
Premiums: Monthly premiums vary by plan type and coverage level. For example, Advantage 1000 Network plans may cost around $28.70 per month, while Advantage Plus 2000 plans can be about $56.28 per month.
Deductibles: Most plans have a deductible of $50 per person per year for basic and major services.
Annual Maximums: Plans have annual maximum benefits ranging from $1,000 to $2,500, which is the maximum amount the plan will pay per year per person.
Coinsurance: After deductibles, the insured typically pays a percentage of the cost for basic and major services, such as 20% for basic and 50% for major services in some plans.
Out-of-Network Costs: Using out-of-network dentists may result in higher out-of-pocket costs due to lower coverage percentages and balance billing.
Pros and Cons of Ameritas Dental Insurance
| Pros | Cons |
| No waiting periods for most services, allowing immediate coverage | Some plans have waiting periods for major services like crowns and implants |
| Large dental network with extensive provider access nationwide | Out-of-network coverage is less generous and can lead to higher costs |
| Comprehensive coverage including preventive, basic, and major dental care | Annual maximum limits may be low for extensive dental work needs |
| Affordable premiums with multiple plan options to fit budgets | Orthodontic coverage is limited and often only for children under 19 |
| Covers treatment for gum disease and periodontal maintenance, important for gum inflammation care | Deductibles and coinsurance apply to basic and major services, which can add to out-of-pocket expenses |
| No enrollment fees and a satisfaction guarantee | Some plans may have restrictions on certain procedures or require prior authorization |
Conclusion
Ameritas dental insurance offers flexible and affordable plans with strong coverage for preventive care, basic treatments, and major dental services including gum disease management and periodontal care. Their large network and no waiting periods for most services make them a good choice for individuals seeking reliable dental insurance. However, potential limitations include annual maximums and less favorable out-of-network benefits. Overall, Ameritas provides a balanced dental insurance solution for a wide range of dental health needs in 2025.
