How Do I Get Dental Insurance Without a Job? Your US Options

How do I get dental insurance without a job? Your main US options are COBRA continuation of a former employer's plan, a Marketplace health plan with dental, Medicaid or CHIP if your income qualifies, a spouse's or family member's plan, an individual dental policy, or Medicare if you are 65 or older.

Losing a job usually means losing employer dental benefits at the same time, often right when money is tight. The right route depends on how recently you lost coverage, your income and how much dental care you expect to need. Here is each option with its key rules.

Which options are open to you?

Option	Who it suits	Key rule
COBRA	Recently lost a job with an employer plan	Keeps your existing plan, but you may pay the full premium
Marketplace plan	Need health coverage too	You can't buy a Marketplace dental plan without a health plan
Medicaid / CHIP	Lower income, or children in the household	Children's dental is required; adult dental varies by state
Spouse's or family plan	A family member has job-based coverage	Losing coverage can open a special enrollment window
Individual dental policy	Only need dental coverage	Check waiting periods and the annual maximum
Medicare	Age 65 or older	Original Medicare covers very little dental care

How does COBRA work for dental?

The US Department of Labor's guide to COBRA lists dental and vision care among the medical care a group health plan can include, so if your employer offered dental benefits, they can usually be continued. According to the guide, you generally have at least 60 days to decide whether to enroll, coverage typically lasts up to 18 months after job loss, and the premium can't exceed 102 percent of the plan's cost. COBRA applies to group health plans of employers with 20 or more employees, per the DOL. It is often expensive because you are paying the share your employer used to cover, but it lets you keep your dentist and finish treatment already underway.

Can you get dental through the Marketplace?

Yes, alongside health coverage. HealthCare.gov explains that you can pick a health plan that includes dental or add a separate dental plan, but you can't buy a Marketplace dental plan unless you are buying a health plan at the same time. Losing job-based coverage can qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period if the loss happened in the past 60 days or is expected in the next 60 days. Separate dental plans can have waiting periods for adult services, so check before enrolling.

Could you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP?

If your income drops, check. Medicaid.gov explains that dental care is covered for children under the EPSDT benefit, and separate CHIP programs must cover dental services that prevent disease and promote oral health. For adults, states decide what dental benefits Medicaid provides, and there is no federal minimum. NIDCR notes that most states offer only limited adult services, so ask your state Medicaid office exactly what's covered.

What should you check before buying an individual dental plan?

• Waiting periods for fillings, root canals and crowns.
• The annual maximum, which Delta Dental of Kansas describes as the most the plan pays in a benefit period.
• The deductible and whether it applies to cleanings.
• The network, and whether your current dentist participates.
• Cancellation terms, in case you start a new job with benefits.

What if insurance isn't affordable right now?

1. Visit a dental school clinic, where students treat patients under supervision at reduced cost (NIDCR).
2. Find a HRSA-funded community health center that charges based on income.
3. Call 2-1-1 or your local health department about reduced-cost programs.
4. Ask your dentist for a written estimate and a payment plan, and prioritize urgent treatment.

For more on what makes a plan worth the premium, see our guide to dental treatment costs, which explains what you would otherwise pay out of pocket.

Sources

• US Department of Labor, A Worker's Guide to Health Benefits Under COBRA
• US Department of Labor, Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA)
• HealthCare.gov, Dental coverage in the Marketplace
• HealthCare.gov, Special Enrollment Period
• Medicaid.gov, Dental Care
• Medicare.gov, Dental services
• NIDCR, Finding Dental Care
• Delta Dental of Kansas, What is an annual maximum?

This article is general information and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed insurance professional or your own dentist. Rules and deadlines can change, so confirm them with the program.