Health benefits & coverage

Dental coverage in the Marketplace

Dental coverage is available 2 ways

• Health plans with dental coverage: Some Marketplace health plans have dental coverage. You can see which plans include dental coverage when you compare them. 
  
  If a health plan includes dental, the premium covers both health and dental coverage.
• Separate dental plans: In some cases, separate dental plans are offered. You can see them when you shop for plans in the Marketplace. 
  
  If you pick a separate dental plan, you’ll pay a separate premium. This is in addition to the premium you pay for your Marketplace health plan.

Dental plan categories: High and low

• High coverage level has higher
  premiums

  The amount you pay for your health insurance every month. In addition to your premium, you usually have to pay other costs for your health care, including a deductible, copayments, and coinsurance. If you have a Marketplace health plan, you may be able to lower your costs with a premium tax credit.

  Refer to glossary for more details.

  but lower
  copayments

  A fixed amount ($20, for example) you pay for a covered health care service after you've paid your deductible.

  Refer to glossary for more details.

  and
  deductibles

  The amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. With a $2,000 deductible, for example, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself.

  Refer to glossary for more details.

  . So you'll pay more every month, but less when you get dental services.
• Low coverage level has lower premiums but higher copayments and deductibles. So you’ll pay less every month, but more when you get dental services.

Adult & child dental insurance in the Marketplace

• Dental coverage is an essential health benefit for children. This means if you’re getting health coverage for someone 18 or younger, dental coverage must be available for your child either as part of a health plan or as a separate dental plan. 
  
  Note: While dental coverage for children must be available to you, you don’t have to buy it.
• Dental coverage isn't an essential health benefit for adults. Health plans don’t have to offer adult dental coverage.

More answers: Dental coverage & the Marketplace