Aetna Dental Plans
Aetna started as a life insurance company in 1853 and has grown into a Fortune 100 company encompassing a wide range of insurance products including dental, disability, health care, group life, long-term care, pharmacy coverage and employee benefits. The majority of its products are offered through employer-sponsored insurance and benefits programs, but the company also offers private plans and Medicare coverage.
Aetna Company History and Special Recognitions
In 2008, 2009 and 2010, Aetna was named the “most admired company” in the Health Care: Insurance and Managed Care category by Forbes Magazine. In 2013, the company acquired Coventry Health Care, Inc. The acquisition boosted Aetna’s standing to the third-largest provider of health care benefits in the United States based on membership.
Aetna prides itself on taking an active role in local communities. The company was ranked nationally with The Civic 50 in 2013. This list recognizes 50 companies nationwide that impact and influence their communities, and Aetna ranked first in the Fostering Civic Culture category. Aetna’s participation in community events and national ranking for civic service support the company’s claim of “caring” as one of their core values. Integrity, excellence and inspiration join caring in representing the company’s four main beliefs as an organization.
Aetna Dental Coverage Availability
In terms of Aetna dental insurance plans, Aetna offers standalone dental policies to individuals in select states: Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Illinois and Pennsylvania. The company also offers dental plans through some employer-sponsored plans. Standalone dental plans include:
Each plan type offers distinct advantages. For example, dental maintenance organizations or DMOs don’t include deductibles or annual maximum payouts. Dental indemnity plans offer greater flexibility in provider since you can choose your dentist anywhere in the country without the need for a referral. Preferred provider organizations or PPOs don’t require upfront co-pays, and you may get discounts on services when you visit in-network providers. Aetna offers a complete breakdown of each plan so that you can find the coverage that meets your needs.
Aetna also offers dental discount plans that allow you to save money when visiting dental providers throughout the country. These plans do not qualify as dental coverage for insurance purposes, but they may be a good fit for you if you don’t use dental services frequently enough to need extensive coverage. The Aetna ValuePass® Card grants access to Aetna’s expansive list of nationwide dental providers as well as 15 to 50 percent off the cost of retail services. The Vital Savings Dental Program (SM) allows consumers to use an ID card for discounts after receiving treatments at one of 131,000 participating dental providers in Aetna’s network.
For more specialized needs such as oral surgery, orthodontic care and dependent coverage, Aetna offers comprehensive policies housed under larger medical or dental plans. With more extensive coverage, you can insure a wide range of intensive dental needs, but you’ll need to visit Aetna’s website to learn more about the specifics of these types of plans. Full medical coverage may be required for these policies.