Best Dental Insurance Plans in India 2023: Benefits, Types and How to Claim?
Dental insurance plans are policies that provide cover for expenses arising out of standard dental procedures, such as filling cavities, making dentures, root canals, dental x-rays, and tooth extractions among others. In recent times, the rising and often prohibitive costs of dental treatment, have made these plans more popular. Here’s a detailed list of the best dental insurance plans. Based on their features, benefits, exclusions, and costs, you can make an informed choice.
Best Dental Insurance Plans in India 2023
1. Aditya Birla Activ Health Platinum Enhanced Insurance Plan
This policy offers a minimum sum insured of Rs. 2 Lakh and a maximum of Rs. 2 Crore. It offers 60 days pre-hospitalisation coverage and 180 days post hospitalisation coverage. Dental consultations are available on plans where the sum insured is ₹15 lakh or more. Moreover, you will be covered up to the sum insured on obesity treatment, hospitalisation for psychiatric treatment, and select modern treatment procedures.
2. ICICI Lombard Health AdvantEdge Plus Plan
It is one of the few health insurance policies in India that cover dental treatment costs. It will also cover you for medical emergencies, such as accidents, critical illnesses, and surgeries. Expenses incurred on outpatient treatments, including dental procedures and investigations, are covered. The maximum sum insured for both the individual and family floater plans is ₹3 Lakh.
The premium payable (inclusive of tax and cess) is as follows:
| Age | Premium |
| 5-60 years | ₹15,000 |
| 61-70 years | ₹20,000 |
3. Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy
The importance of regular doctor consultations and standard dental procedures for your oral health, hygiene, and the shine of your pearly whites cannot be overstated. Getting a Star Comprehensive Insurance policy may help protect your savings from exorbitantly high out-of-pocket expenses because it covers outpatient dental expenses up to a specified limit. Procedures, such as bariatric surgery and selected modern treatments, are also covered.
4. Digit Health Care Plus Plan
Need quick relief from dental pain? Now, you can get help from your dentist without having to worry about high out-of-pocket expenses. That’s because this insurance policy will pay for standard dental procedures, such as root canal, dental x-rays, composite fillings, malocclusion treatment for adolescents, and even tooth extractions.
5. Tata AIG Medicare Premier
This could be a great option if you want protection from expensive dental care bills. It not only covers OPD dental procedures, such as root canals, tooth extractions, and fillings, but also in-patient dental treatments and hospitalisation due to dental injuries and accidents. After a waiting period of 2 years, you’ll get OPD coverage of up to ₹10,000. With this plan, you can also avail of cashless claims settlement on dental treatment at more than 7,200 hospitals in India.
Benefits of Buying Dental Insurance Plans
While each dental insurance plan may be unique and come with exclusive benefits and features, some common benefits could be:
- Access to dental consultations, whenever necessary.
- Dental x-rays, root canal and associated pharmacy charges.
- Teeth scaling and straightening.
- Coverage for brace or implant costs.
- May offer special discounts on routine dental check-ups.
- Coverage for expenses associated with minor surgeries, such as oral biopsies.
- Coverage for minor infections, amalgam, and tooth extraction.
- Protection for costs associated with periodontal or corrective procedures.
Types of Health Insurance Policies that Include Dental Cover
1. Individual
Individual health insurance policies may offer limited coverage for dental expenses, subject to conditions specified in the policy document. Some insurers may not cover dental expenses under their basic plans but offer coverage for dental procedures only with their add-on plans. Read your policy document carefully for all the details.
2. Family Floater
Family floater plans are ideal for families. If you want coverage from dental care expenses for the entire family, go for a family floater plan that covers dental expenditure.
3. Critical Illness
Some insurers may include dental surgeries and accident-related dental treatment under the critical illness clause of their health insurance plans. Some may also offer them as add-on benefits. Carefully study the policy document for details.
4. Personal Accident Cover
Some personal accident insurance plans may pay for an expensive dental procedure, provided it was necessitated by an accident. Most health insurance policies in India cover a limited set of dental treatments and procedures under the personal accident cover clause.
5. Preventive or Restorative Treatment Cover
Some policies could pay for preventive or restorative dental care expenses. Please go through the policy document carefully to check the full list of illnesses or conditions covered.
How to Choose the Right Dental Insurance?
- Do a cost-benefit analysis. See whether an individual plan or a family floater plan fits you better.
- Do consider the clauses like exclusions, waiting period, etc.
- Check the list of network hospitals and dental treatments/procedures covered.
Common Exclusions Under Dental Health Insurance Policies
The following procedures are generally not covered:
- Cosmetic surgery
- Upper or lower jaw bone surgery
- Orthodontics
- Dental prosthetics
- Jaw alignment
- Dentures
Eligibility Criteria to Purchase a Dental Insurance Plan
While the criteria are generally plan-specific and vary from insurer to insurer, in general, anyone aged between 18 years and 65 years, could get covered (individual policies). Family floater plans usually cover children aged 90 days and above.
How to Claim Dental Insurance Plan?
The steps could vary depending on whether it’s a cashless or a reimbursement claim. Additionally, each insurer may have their own guidelines and requirements. However, here are a few common steps:
- Inform the insurance company, depending on whether your dental treatment is planned or unplanned.
- Along with the duly completed claim form, submit all supporting documents.
- Wait for the insurance company to verify your documents. Sometimes, they may ask for additional information and clarifications. Comply with any such request.
- Reimbursement claims are usually settled within seven to 10 working days.
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Dental Insurance Plans
1. Consider the Fit
Evaluate your needs and see how well a plan fits them. It will also be easier for you to decide whether you need to opt for an add-on or rider provision.
2. Learn About the Kinds of Dental Plans
There are four types of dental insurance plans. They are:
- Preferred Provider Organisations (PPO): These plans allow access to a network of dentists who accept lower fees for covered services.
- Dental Health Maintenance Organisation (DHMO): With a prime area of focus on preventive care, a DHMO provides lower-cost coverage.
- Discount Plans: This plan allows members to choose from several dentists who offer services at discounted prices.
- Managed Fee-for-Service Plan: Also known as traditional plans, this one provides a wide network of dental providers to select from.
3. Eligibility
Ensure that you meet the eligibility conditions of a dental insurance policy before you apply.
4. Various Exclusions and Clauses
How much is the sum insured? Is it sufficient? What are the exclusions? Is there a waiting period? Will it cover your loved ones as well? Assess all these factors carefully.
5. Cost-Benefit Analysis
Want a value-for-money option? Then don’t just look for the lowest premium. Closely evaluate the sum assured, exclusion clause, waiting period clause, and pre-existing disease clause to name a few. Try and quantify the value delivered in terms of protection and benefits.
Final Word
Dental expenses, just like general healthcare expenses, are constantly on the rise. With the right dental insurance policy, you can not only protect your hard-earned savings but also have peace of mind.
But if you want comprehensive health insurance protection for a super-affordable premium, starting at just ₹235 per month, download the Navi App on your phone and get a quote today.
FAQs
Yes, you need to furnish the original hospital bill, pharmacy bill, and consultation bill while raising a claim.
Treatment expenses due to dental damages for an accident are reimbursed under the dental insurance plan.
Yes, dental insurance covers the cost of teeth whitening.
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Disclaimer: This article has been prepared on the basis of internal data, publicly available information and other sources believed to be reliable. The information contained in this article is for general purposes only and not a complete disclosure of every material fact. It should not be construed as investment advice to any party. The article does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of the information, and disclaims all liabilities, losses and damages arising out of the use of this information. Readers shall be fully liable/responsible for any decision taken on the basis of this article.
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