COBRA
If you are retiring and had a dental plan that you liked, you can continue with that plan via COBRA. COBRA rules allow you to by just the dental plan if that is all you want.
NOTE: Each of the following options can be purchased at any time. There is no open enrollment for these plans
Individual PPO Dental Plan
Our advice, buyer beware. The main purpose of insurance is to protect us against the “Unknown” and “Unaffordable” expense. These plans do not do that. They provide great coverage for “Known” and “Affordable” expenses. Most big dental expenses come from needing crowns, root canals, and periodontal work. These plans either have waiting periods for these services or pay only a small portion of the cost. Frankly, Terpstra Benefits does not think these plans are good value. However, Click Here and check them out.
Dental Discount Plans
These plans are not insurance but provide you with upfront discounts with participating dentists. These plans are worth checking out. Click Here to view them.
Dental HMO Plans
These plans are a great value. They cost less than $25/month and offer unlimited benefits. “OK, what’s the catch?”. You can only use the dentists that are in their plan. There are two types of dental offices. 1)Dentists who their own practice. This most likely describes your dentist. 99% of private dentists do not participate in dental HMO plans. 2) Corporate owned dental practices. The dentists at these locations are employees not owners.
Terpstra Benefits recommends a dental HMO plan with Blue Shield of California. The monthly cost of this plan is $21.80/month. Click Here to view a summary of the plan's benefits.
To view participating dentists in this plan:
- Go to: www.blueshieldca.com
- Click on “Find a Doctor”
- Select: “Dentists”
- Are you a Blue Shield Member? Select “No”
- Select “Dental HMO (Individual/Family Group Plans)”
Self Insure
You may just want to keep our current dentist, and many do not accept individual dental plans. Remember, you can aways by a plan a later time.
Dental PPO or Dental Discount Plan
If you wish to enroll in a dental PPO or dental discount plan, Click Here
If you wish to enroll in the Blue Shield dental HMO plan, Click Here
