Aetna has been around since 1853 and runs one of the largest dentist networks in the United States. The company puts a lot of weight on accessibility, including mobile apps that make it easy for members to find a nearby dentist and check what their plan covers. This is our review of their approach.
Aetna does let you use out-of-network dentists, but the out-of-pocket price is significantly higher than the in-network price. That is normal across the dental and medical industry, because most plans are built around a network. It does mean that if you have a dental emergency away from home, finding a dentist who takes your plan can be harder than you expect.
The Aetna website is straightforward to navigate and lets you handle most of the paperwork online. There are tools to show what a plan covers, estimate your savings and find a dentist in your area. Availability and pricing vary by ZIP code, so run that check for your own area rather than relying on a general description.
Aetna is set up to be run online, from enrollment through to payment, and payments go through a secure encrypted connection. If you would rather deal with everything by post or over the phone, this is worth knowing before you sign up.
How Does Aetna Compare with Other Companies?
We looked at Aetna’s options for individuals, couples and families alongside those of other providers. Their comprehensive plans came out more affordable than most. Their basic coverage plans went the other way and sat at the expensive end.
Lack of Options
Aetna’s individual range is narrower than you might expect, and what you can buy depends heavily on where you live. Some parts of the country have only a couple of options to choose from. Aetna is clearly geared more towards employer-provided plans than towards plans bought by individuals, and that shows in the choice on offer.
Check what is actually available for your own ZIP code before you compare on price alone.
Detailing Aetna’s Discount Dental Plan
Aetna Dental Access is a discount plan rather than insurance, which makes it worth a look for anyone without dental insurance, including seniors. Members get discounts of between 15% and 50% on most dental procedures, and there is no waiting period, so the savings on crowns, root canals and other work apply from the start.
That is in contrast to dental insurance, which tends to have significant waiting periods and minimum premium requirements before any work is covered. With dental problems, waiting is rarely a good idea, because the underlying issue usually gets worse.
How Easy Is It to Reach Customer Support?
The most common complaint about Aetna is customer service. Getting hold of a representative by phone can take a while. The online support routes are easier and tend to get a faster response, which is fine if you are comfortable online and less helpful if you are not.
What You Need to Know about Aetna Dental
- Aetna dental plans don’t require a referral to see an orthodontist, but the specialist has to be in the network.
- Tooth extraction is treated as a dental procedure by Aetna, with a few exceptions. Call and check if you are not sure.
- Composite fillings are covered under Aetna’s dental plans, but only for teeth that are visible.
- If you ask your dentist to send Aetna a statement of pre-treatment, Aetna will send you documentation setting out which parts of the procedure your plan covers.
- Teeth you lost before your coverage started are unlikely to be covered. That applies to implants, bridges and dentures.
Read More About The Plans Offered
Verdict
Aetna is worth considering, mainly for the size of its dentist network and for how much you can do online.
If you need customer support, start with the online route rather than the phone.
Availability is the thing to check first. Aetna does not sell every plan in every state, so confirm that the plan you want is offered where you live before you go any further. If it isn’t, take a look at our reviews of other dental plan companies.
