How To Pick A New Retiree Dental Plan

*This post is part of a membership campaign for MetLife FEDVIP Dental Plan. I am receiving a fee for this post; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with MetLife and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.*

With the changes in the retiree dental plans, folks are feeling overwhelmed by the options. As my friend Amy Bushatz explained it, “instead of being served a plate of food, it’s like going to a buffet!” While it is a lot to process, it’s important to make a decision and take action. If you don’t designate a plan during the open season of Monday, 12 November 2018 to Monday, 10 December 2018, you won’t have dental coverage in 2019.  They’ve extended the open season through 31 December 2018. Thankfully, the 2019 plans and rates have been released and you have time to do your research and make a thoughtful decision.

So, how DO you choose which plan is likely right for you?

Do You Care What Dentist You Use?

If you have a dentist and you want to stay with them, then the first thing to do is ask your dentist which plans they accept. Give them a call, or print out the options and stop by the office. They’ll be glad to help you! You can also go to the website of the plan you are considering, and check their “find a dentist” database. Because I’m paranoid, I like to verify the dentist’s participation in both directions, both through the dentist and through the insurance carrier.

The MetLife PPO plans have a huge network, with over 393,000 participating dentists located across the country. You can see if your current dentist is a MetLife provider using the MetLife FindADentist search tool. Be sure to select FEDVIP as your plan. Pretty much every dentist in my area accepts MetLife, which is impressive.

Will You Need Immediate Coverage For Something That Sometimes Has A Waiting Period?

Orthodontics may have a waiting period for services. If you anticipate needing orthodontics quickly, be sure to pick a plan that doesn’t have a waiting period. Some plans, including MetLife plans are waiving the waiting period for those coming directly from TRDP. This is an important feature to compare if you are currently in treatment.

What’s Your Capacity For Unplanned Expenses?

Everyone budgets differently, and everyone has a different comfort level with surprise expenses. Would you rather pay more in premiums each month, but have lower costs expenses when you need care? Or are you willing to pay more when you need care in order to save on premiums each month? If you choose a less-expensive, lower-coverage plan, will a dental emergency also be a financial emergency, or do you have the money set aside for these types of expenses?

At the far end of the spectrum, my friend Doug self-insures, using the money he would use on premiums to pay for his dental care. This leads us into the next question:

What Are Your Dental Needs? How’s Your Oral Health?

Dental needs vary a lot from person to person. Some folks never have a cavity and require almost no care. I have a certain tooth that chips a lot due to the structure of my bite, and it requires care about once a year. Anyone with kids will probably want some sort of coverage, and most of us parents will want orthodontic coverage. Younger retirees with great dental hygiene may not need insurance at all, older folks with problematic mouths may need the most comprehensive coverage available.

Why MetLife May Be The Right Choice For You

This post was sponsored by MetLife, one of the providers within the FEDVIP plan. MetLife offers two dental coverage options, both of which are PPOs: a High and a Standard option. Both plans have:

• • no waiting period for orthodontic coverage
  • orthodontic coverage for kids and adults
  • $0 deductible for in-network dentists
  • no annual maximum benefit

The orthodontic coverage is generous: the High plan has a $5,000 cap for kids and a $3,000 cap for adults, and the standard plan has a $2,000 cap per person. These benefits are so good that I wish we were eligible for retired dental coverage!

The biggest thing to note about MetLife‘s coverage during this TRDP-to-FEDVIP switch is that any treatment started with TRDP will be covered by your MetLife plan option including root canal, crowns, bridgework, dentures, orthodontia services.

Don’t Be Overwhelmed!

While the process of choosing a dental plan is new for military families, it’s not new to the rest of the country. Most of your civilian friends and family go through this process every year. My sister actually keeps a spreadsheet of all their medical expenses all year, and each year at open season time she plugs their actual medical spending into the different plans available to figure out which plan is right for their family for that year. I am confident that you can sort through your options and find a plan that meets your health care needs and your budget!