Spirit Dental & Vision Review
We chose Spirit Dental for our Best Dental Insurance Companies guide because of the loyalty benefits attached to each plan which increase coverage annually. Spirit Dental offers generous satisfaction guarantees, and many plans feature no waiting periods for most procedures and coverage for services like dental implants. The company supports the Smile Network’s mission to provide cleft lip and palate surgeries at no cost to children in developing countries.
The highly rated Ameritas Insurance Corporation underwrites Spirit Dental’s insurance plans. Direct Benefits, Inc. operates Spirit Dental & Vision and also provides a range of life, vision, and disability insurance to anyone who needs access to a high-quality plan outside of a health insurance policy. Direct Benefits sells dental insurance to individuals online through Spirit Dental, and also works with insurance brokers and employee benefits managers.
Pros
- Use the plan within days of applying for dental insurance
- Your choice of dental provider with one plan
- All applications accepted
Cons
- $5,000 annual maximum is not sufficient for everyone, but higher than other insurers
Spirit Dental & Vision Plans
Spirit Dental’s two plans offer several levels of coverage, depending on your location. Plan costs depend on where you live and the size of your family. They are designed to cover adult dental care, children’s dental care including orthodontic work and senior dental care like dentures and implants.
-
While the Spirit Dental Network plan is the most economical, you need to find an in-network dental provider in your area by looking through the plan’s provider directory online or calling Spirit Dental. There is no guarantee your preferred dentist is on Spirit Dental’s preferred provider list, so if this is important, do your research before buying a Network policy. Spirit Dental pays the covered portion of expenses directly to the dentist after you pay any deductible. You will pay your part of the bill or arrange payments at the dentist office.
Dentists participating in the network plan offer lower or discounted rates for patients, meaning you pay lower out-of-pocket costs.
-
Spirit Dental’s Choice plan offers more flexibility because you can see any dentist you choose, and if that dentist happens to be in-network under the Network plan, you can add a cost-savings rider to your policy to pay reduced fees for services. Under the Choice plan, you pay the entire bill for dental care, then submit the expenses to Spirit Dental to be reimbursed in the amount your policy covers.
Reimbursement amounts for dental work vary depending on your provider but typically cover anywhere from 50 to 100 percent of usual, customary expenses like cleanings and x-rays. Reimbursement amounts for non-customary work like implants and dentures vary by location.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Retail Cost For Implants | $5,000 |
| In-network Cost | $4,000 |
| Insurance Pays | $2,000 (50%) |
| You Pay | $2,000 |
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Implant Cost | $4,000 |
| Insurance Covers | $1,000 (25%) |
| You Pay | $3,000 |
Spirit Dental’s policies cover more dental services than many competing insurance companies. These services include dental implants, bridges, crowns, inlays, dentures, and preventive care, making Spirit Dental a good choice for those who are on Medicare and need dental insurance.
Spirit Dental Costs
The cost you’ll pay for your Spirit Dental plan varies based on where you live, including your state and ZIP code, as well as the plan that you choose. Each plan comes with a one-time $100 deductible and based on the 2018 rates published by Spirit Dental for all other states, the prices ranged from around $25 to $98 a month for an individual plan. However, it is essential that you verify prices for your area, as the prices vary based on location and available plans.
How Does Spirit Dental Work?
You can use Spirit Dental insurance benefits as soon as your application is processed, which takes three days, but you probably won’t get your dental insurance card via U.S. Mail for five to 10 business days after you apply. If you need to use the policy before you receive a card, your dentist can call Spirit Dental to verify coverage. You will pay the $100 deductible the first time each person on your plan uses the insurance.
| Network Plan | Choice Plan |
|---|---|
| Lower Monthly Premiums | Visit any dental provider |
| Must use an in-network dentist | Can use any dentist you want |
| Spirit Dental pays covered portion to dentist | You pay dentist, Spirit Dental reimburses |
| Maximum $5,000 annual coverage | Maximum $5,000 annual coverage |
How to Buy a Spirit Dental Plan
To purchase a Spirit Dental plan, you can request a free quote online through Spirit Dental’s website by entering your ZIP code and the number of people in your family you need to cover. You can purchase the plan directly online and pay your first month’s premium, or you can call Spirit Dental to sign up with the help of a customer service associate.
Spirit Dental Complaints
Spirit Dental’s parent company, Direct Benefits, Inc., is rated with an “A+” and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau. The company has all 5-star reviews from customers, many of whom mention how helpful and prompt Spirit Dental’s customer service representatives are. On ConsumerAdvocate.org, Spirit Dental Insurance rates highly, with 9.7 out of 10 stars. One customer noted how the company was easy to work with and liked the range of dental plans offered.
On Facebook, the feedback is less positive, with a 3.4 out of 5-star rating from 33 reviews. Complaints revolve around people who were needing to meet the $100 deductible before receiving preventive care the first year, treatment for pre-existing conditions, and one payment mishap. Spirit Dental representatives quickly attempted to resolve the complaints directly with those customers.
Spirit Dental FAQ
-
How soon can I start using my Spirit Dental plan?
All of Spirit Dental’s insurance policies have an effective date, usually three days after you apply and pay your first premium. You can use your dental plan as early as the effective date. -
Can I cancel my Spirit Dental policy for a full refund?
You can cancel your Spirit Dental plan within the first 30 days and receive a refund of paid premiums, minus the cost of any submitted claims. If you cancel outside this window, there is no refund and coverage ends on the last day of the month. You are ineligible to re-enroll in a Spirit Dental plan for two years if you cancel your policy. -
How old do I need to be to sign up for a Spirit Dental plan?
The primary policyholder must be at least 18 years of age, though dependents on the plan can be younger. -
Will my Spirit Dental plan premium ever increase?
Your initial premium is guaranteed to stay the same for 12 months. After that, your rates may change. However, you will receive 30 days notice if premiums are scheduled to go up. Spirit Dental covers costs at a higher level each of the first three years you hold a policy, which could offset any increase in premium. -
I need an implant for a missing tooth. Will Spirit Dental insurance cover the procedure?
No. Spirit Dental only covers implants for teeth that are removed or lost while covered by the insurance. If you lost a tooth before your policy effective date, it is treated similarly to a pre-existing excluded condition. -
Am I limited to only receiving care from certain dentists with Spirit Dental?
With a Spirit Dental Network plan, you have to visit an in-network provider of the Ameritas Classic network. If you choose the Choice plan, you can go to any dentist, but pay the cost for care then be reimbursed by Spirit Dental for the covered portion.
Conclusion
Mayo Clinic researchers understand how your oral health impacts your overall well-being, with close links to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Routine and emergency dental care can be cost-prohibitive, but signing up for a Spirit Dental plan can be an affordable option with additional benefits other dental insurance does not provide.
If you’re interested in learning more about Spirit Dental & Vision, call (888) 373-6392 or visit their website for more information.