Dental insurance can be confusing with so many plan options. Two popular choices are Humana Dental and Delta Dental. This guide will compare their coverage, costs, procedures, and networks to help you determine which is better for your needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Humana Dental | Delta Dental |
| Monthly Premiums | Higher | Lower |
| Annual Maximum Benefit | $1,000 – $1,500 | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Annual Deductible | $25 – $75 individual<br>$75 – $225 family | $25 – $100 individual<br>$75 – $300 family |
| Preventive Services | 100% covered | 100% covered |
| Basic Services | 80% covered<br>No waiting period | 80-90% covered<br>6-12 months waiting period |
| Major Services | 50% covered<br>6 months waiting period | 50% covered <br>12-24 months waiting period |
| Orthodontic Coverage | 50% covered for all | Varies by plan<br>12-24 months waiting period |
| Out-of-Network Coverage | You pay more | In-network rates apply |
| Customer Satisfaction | 3/5 stars | 4/5 stars |
Overview Of Humana Dental And Delta Dental
Humana Dental and Delta Dental are two large insurance providers with national networks. Both offer group and individual/family plans with a range of deductibles, copays, and services covered.
Key similarities:
- Both have high nationwide acceptance with over 100,000 dentists in-network.
- Offer group and individual/family plans.
- Provide 100% coverage for preventive services like cleanings and x-rays.
- Have waiting periods for certain services.
Key differences:
- Humana Dental has higher premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs. Delta Dental has lower premiums but you pay more per visit.
- Delta Dental has three tiers of dentists which affects coverage. Humana Dental has no tiers.
- Humana Dental covers orthodontics for all plans. With Delta Dental, it depends on your specific plan.
- Customer satisfaction ratings tend to be higher for Delta Dental.
So, with the basics covered, let’s dive into the details!
Covered Services
The range of covered services is similar between Humana Dental and Delta Dental. Both provide 100% preventive and diagnostic coverage. For basic and major dental work, the plans share a coinsurance structure but with differing percentages.
Humana Dental Coverage
- Preventive: 100% covered – cleanings, exams, x-rays
- Basic: 80% covered – fillings, extractions
- Major: 50% covered – crowns, dentures
- Orthodontics: 50% covered for children and adults
Delta Dental Coverage
- Preventive: 100% covered
- Basic: 80-90% covered
- Major: 50% covered
- Orthodontics: Typically 50% covered for children. Adult ortho depends on plan.
The percentages shown are for the commonly selected Mid-Level plans from each. Coverage can vary based on the plan selected.
One benefit Humana Dental has is covering orthodontics for adults and children in all of their plans. With Delta Dental, orthodontics for adults is only included in the Premium and Enhanced plans which have higher monthly premiums.
Deductibles And Maximums
Deductibles and annual maximums also differ between the two insurers.
Humana Dental
- Annual deductible: $25-$75 individual, $75-$225 family
- Annual maximum benefit: $1,000-$1,500
Delta Dental
- Annual deductible: $25-$100 individual, $75-$300 family
- Annual maximum benefit: $1,000-$2,000
Delta Dental offers plans with higher annual maximums while Humana Dental’s are in the $1,000 to $1,500 range. For deductibles, they are fairly comparable. You can also get plans from Delta Dental with no deductible.
Also Read: Is Delta Dental Better Than Willamette Dental?
Monthly Premiums
Premium costs are one of the main factors when selecting dental insurance. Here is how they compare:
Humana Dental
- Individual premiums: $12 – $50 per month
- Family premiums: $33 – $137 per month
Delta Dental
- Individual premiums: $9 – $40 per month
- Family premiums: $28 – $118 per month
Delta Dental tends to have lower monthly premiums than Humana Dental, especially for family plans. However, the lower premiums also mean you pay more out-of-pocket per visit.
Waiting Periods
Waiting periods limit when you can utilize certain benefits after your plan starts. Both insurers have waiting periods, but Humana Dental’s tend to be shorter.
Humana Dental Waiting Periods
- Preventive services: No waiting period
- Basic services: No waiting period
- Major services: 6 months
- Orthodontics: 12 months
Delta Dental Waiting Periods
- Preventive services: No waiting period
- Basic services: 6-12 months
- Major services: 12-24 months
- Orthodontics: 12-24 months
The waiting period for basic services with Humana is lower at no wait compared to 6-12 months with Delta Dental. For major and orthodontic services, Humana Dental also has shorter waits.
Out-Of-Network Coverage
The number of in-network dentists is extensive for both insurers. But what about coverage out-of-network?
Humana Dental
- Will cover out-of-network dentists but you pay higher costs.
Delta Dental
- Covers out-of-network dentists at the lower in-network rate. However, the dentist can bill you for the remainder.
Delta Dental has an edge for its out-of-network coverage. You are covered at the lower in-network rate so you save money compared to Humana Dental’s higher out-of-network costs.
Customer Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction and ratings are another helpful comparison point.
- Humana Dental gets mixed reviews for customer service and claims processing. Overall satisfaction scores 3/5 stars.
- Delta Dental earns higher marks for customer service availability and efficiency. Overall satisfaction rates 4/5 stars.
Delta Dental is viewed as having better customer service and faster claims handling. This makes the claims process smoother for members.
Also Read: Choose Between Aetna And Delta Dental.
Which Has The Best Coverage?
When it comes to coverage, Delta Dental wins for several reasons:
- Higher annual maximum benefits up to $2,000
- Offers plans with no deductible
- Lower out-of-network costs using in-network rates
- Adult ortho covered for Premium and Enhanced plans
- 6–12-month basic services wait period
Most Common Dental Plan Type
The most common dental plan is a PPO plan offering:
- Access to a large network of dentists
- Lower costs when using in-network dentists
- Coverage for out-of-network dentists, but you pay more
PPO plans balance comprehensive coverage with affordable monthly premiums. They represent the majority of dental plans offered by employers and dental insurance providers.
Both Humana Dental and Delta Dental offer PPO plans making them both common choices for dental insurance.
Best Insurance For A Root Canal
For a root canal, you want a plan with major dental coverage. Key factors include:
- Annual maximum benefit of $1,500 or higher
- 50% to 80% coinsurance for major procedures
- 12 months or less waiting period
Delta Dental meets these requirements with PPO plus Premier plans covering 50% of major services after a 12 month waiting period. The higher annual maximum of $2,000 allows you to get a root canal without exceeding the plan limits.
Best Dental Insurance With No Waiting Period
The best dental insurance with no waiting periods for coverage is:
- Humana Dental Loyalty Plus – Offers no waiting periods for major or orthodontic services. You get full coverage immediately.
- Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier Enhanced – Eliminates waiting periods for basic and major services. Orthodontics has a 12 month wait.
If you need dental work right away, these plans provide the most comprehensive coverage without making you wait to utilize benefits. The quick coverage comes with higher monthly premiums, but no waiting ultimately saves you money.
Also Read: Choose Between Delta Dental And Guardian Dental.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Delta Dental tends to provide better overall coverage with higher annual maximums, lower out-of-network costs, and adult orthodontics included on some plans.
PPO dental plans are the most common type of plan offered. They balance comprehensive coverage with affordable monthly premiums through an extensive provider network.
Look for a plan like Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier that covers 50% of major services after 12 months with a high annual maximum benefit of $2,000 or more.
Humana Dental Loyalty Plus and Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier Enhanced plans offer the most comprehensive coverage with no waiting periods for major services.
Also watch this about Humana!
The Bottom Line
When choosing between Humana Dental and Delta Dental you need to evaluate factors like monthly costs, coverage details, and customer satisfaction. In general, Delta Dental provides better coverage and lower out-of-pocket costs but has higher monthly premiums. Humana Dental costs less per month but you pay more per visit.
Look at your specific dental needs and budget to determine which provider offers the optimal blend of affordability and coverage.
