Dental & Vision Insurance
Dental and Vision Insurance: Plans, Bundles, and Free Help Choosing
Health, dental, and vision coverage — compared side by side, at no cost to you.
Most health insurance plans for adults don't cover routine dental or vision care, so a cleaning, a filling, or a new pair of glasses often comes straight out of your pocket. I help individuals, families, and small business employees in Colorado and 31 other states find dental and vision coverage that fits — on its own, bundled together, or alongside a health plan — and I explain exactly what each plan covers before you enroll.
Does Health Insurance Include Dental and Vision?
Usually not for adults. Under the Affordable Care Act, dental and vision care for children are essential health benefits, so marketplace health plans must make them available for kids — either built into the health plan or through a separate dental plan. Adult dental and vision care are not required, and most medical plans leave them out or include only limited benefits.
That's why many people pair their health plan with a separate dental plan, a separate vision plan, or a combined dental and vision plan. I'll check whether your current or new health plan already includes any dental or vision benefits, so you don't pay twice for the same coverage.
Health, Dental, and Vision Bundles: Your Options
There's more than one way to get all three types of coverage. The right setup depends on your budget, your dentist and eye doctor, and how much care you expect to use:
A health plan plus a combined dental and vision plan: one extra premium and one plan for both, often the simplest way to round out your coverage.
A health plan plus separate dental and vision plans: more flexibility to choose the strongest dental plan and a vision plan that works with your eye doctor.
Dental and vision coverage on its own: for people who already have health coverage through work, Medicaid, or another source, or who mainly want routine dental and eye care.
How Dental Insurance Works
Most dental plans group care into three levels and pay a different share of each. Preventive care — cleanings, exams, and routine X-rays — is often covered at or near 100%. Basic care, such as fillings and simple extractions, is commonly covered at around 80% after any deductible. Major care, such as crowns, bridges, root canals, and dentures, is often covered at around 50%.
Dental plans also have an annual maximum — the most the plan will pay in a year, commonly $1,000 to $2,000 — and many have waiting periods of several months before basic or major care is covered. Some plans have no waiting periods, which matters if you already know you need work done. PPO plans let you see a wide range of dentists, while HMO-style plans usually cost less but require you to use a dentist in their network.
How Vision Insurance Works
Vision plans focus on routine eye care. A typical plan covers an annual eye exam for a small copay and gives you a yearly allowance toward either glasses (frames and lenses) or contact lenses, plus discounts on upgrades like lens coatings. Some plans also offer discounts on LASIK. If you wear glasses or contacts, a vision plan can easily pay for itself; if you don't, the yearly eye exam may be the main benefit.
Looking for vision and hearing coverage? Some dental and vision plans include hearing exams or discounts on hearing aids. I'll point those out when we compare plans.
What Does Dental and Vision Insurance Cost?
Dental and vision premiums are usually much lower than health insurance premiums, but your price depends on a few things: your age, your ZIP code, and how many people are on the plan; the plan type, since PPO dental plans generally cost more than HMO-style plans, and plans with higher annual maximums or no waiting periods cost more; and whether you bundle, since combining dental and vision, or adding them to a health plan, can simplify billing and sometimes lower the total.
The best way to compare is to look at what you'd actually pay in a year — premiums plus your share of the care you expect — not just the monthly price. I'll run those numbers with you during a free review.
Can I Buy Dental and Vision Insurance Only?
Yes. You don't need a health plan to buy dental or vision coverage. Many dental and vision plans sold directly by insurers can be purchased any time of year, not just during Open Enrollment, and coverage can often start as soon as the following month. Dental plans sold through the health insurance marketplace generally follow marketplace enrollment periods, so I'll explain which option makes sense for your timing.
Who This Is For
Individuals and families under 65 who buy their own coverage, self-employed people and 1099 workers, and small business owners who want to offer dental and vision as an employee benefit — whether you already have a health plan or want standalone coverage.
Why It Matters
Routine dental and eye care are an important part of your overall health, and problems are cheaper to treat when they're caught early. Without coverage, a single crown, root canal, or new pair of glasses can cost hundreds of dollars or more out of pocket. A dental and vision plan helps you keep up with checkups and spreads the cost of bigger care over time.
I help you find the right plan for your needs and budget so you can stay on top of your health without worrying about surprise bills.
What I Help You With
Comparing dental-only, vision-only, and bundled dental + vision plans
Finding plans that work alongside your existing health insurance
Reviewing annual maximums, waiting periods, networks, and what's covered at each level
Helping small business owners add dental and vision as an employee benefit
Enrolling you in the right plan quickly and without confusion
Always Free to You
Everything I do is completely free. No hidden fees. No surprises. I'm compensated directly by the insurance carriers — so you get expert guidance without paying a dime.
Dental and Vision Insurance FAQ
Does health insurance include dental and vision?
For children, ACA marketplace plans must make dental and vision coverage available. For adults, most health plans don't include routine dental or vision care, so many people add a separate dental and vision plan.
Can I get dental insurance with no waiting period?
Yes. Some dental plans have no waiting periods, even for basic or major care, though they may cost more. On most plans, preventive care like cleanings is covered right away.
Can I buy dental and vision insurance any time of year?
Many plans sold directly by insurers can be bought year-round. Dental plans sold through the health insurance marketplace generally follow Open Enrollment and Special Enrollment rules.
Is it cheaper to bundle health, dental, and vision insurance?
Sometimes. Bundling can simplify billing and may lower the total, but separate plans can give you better coverage with your dentist or eye doctor. I compare both ways so you can see the difference.
Do dental plans cover implants or braces?
Some do, often with waiting periods, age limits for orthodontics, or lower coverage percentages. If you know you'll need major work, tell me up front and I'll look for plans that cover it.
Does your help cost anything?
No. My help is free — I'm paid by the insurance carriers, so your price is the same whether you enroll on your own or with me.
Last reviewed October 2026 by Heath Heimlich, licensed health insurance advisor (NPN 8799018). Coverage details vary by plan and state; review plan documents before enrolling.