Employer dental insurance is coverage offered through your workplace, often with premiums shared between employer and employee through payroll deductions.
Employee share of dental premiums averages $20-$50 per month for individual coverage and $50-$150 for family coverage, with employers paying the remainder.
Employer dental is usually worth it due to group rates, employer premium contributions, pre-tax payroll deductions, and guaranteed coverage without health screening.
Most employer plans cover preventive care at 100%, basic procedures at 80%, and major work at 50%, with annual maximums of $1,000-$2,000.
Yes, employer dental is usually voluntary. You may opt out but typically cannot use alternative coverage for pre-tax premium benefits.
Open enrollment typically occurs once per year, often in fall for January coverage. You can only make changes outside open enrollment with qualifying life events.
Voluntary dental is optional coverage offered by employers where employees pay 100% of premiums but benefit from group rates and payroll deduction convenience.
Yes, through COBRA you can continue employer dental coverage for up to 18-36 months, though you pay full premium plus 2% administrative fee.
Basic plans cover essential services at lower premiums. Buy-up plans offer higher annual maximums, lower coinsurance, and additional benefits like orthodontics.
Yes, group dental insurance cannot exclude pre-existing conditions. All covered services are available according to plan terms without health restrictions.