Aetna Logo
star star star star star_border

5.2

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: October 26th, 2024

Aetna is an insurance company that began with life insurance in 1853. Since then, Aetna has expanded its offerings to include dental, vision, and health insurance. Aetna values simplicity, focus, connection, caring, excellence, and integrity. These values influence their company decisions.

Top Ranked Companies

thumb_up

The Good

  • Plan Variety
  • Dental Discount Program
  • Orthodontic Coverage Available

Plan Variety

Aetna offers four kinds of dental insurance plans:

  • Network Only Plans (DMO)
  • Network Option Dental Plans (PPO)
  • Dental Indemnity Plans
  • Hybrid Dental Plans

Each plan has monthly premiums that vary depending on the specific plan and number of people being insured on that plan.

Aetna’s Network Only plans provide insurance coverage for preventive dental care (cleanings and dental exams), basic services (fillings), and major dental care. People with this plan have coverage when they visit an in-network provider.

The Network Option plans provide similar benefits to those provided by the DMO plans. The dental PPO plan offers broader coverage in and out of Aetna’s dental provider network. Customers can choose from participating dentists or an out-of-network dentist.

Aetna Dental Indemnity Plans allow reimbursements for dental treatment from the insurance company after visiting the dentist. This plan allows patients to only pay for the treatments and procedures they receive. The drawback to this plan is that patients must pay their dental treatment costs themselves and then file for reimbursement.

Aetna also offers Hybrid Dental Plans. These dental benefit plans are designed for employers. An employer choosing this plan can offer their employees more options when choosing dental insurance benefits. The base plan is an Aetna DMO. Employees can choose a PPO option or indemnity option.

Dental Discount Program

Aetna also has a dental discount program that can be used instead of insurance or along with insurance. For an annual fee, customers receive a card that gives them discounts or savings when paying for dental care at in-network clinics. This program is a nice feature for individuals who don’t want to make a monthly payment and still want some kind of financial assistance with dental treatment.

Dental discount programs are sometimes also called dental savings plans.

Orthodontic Coverage Available

Some of Aenta’s dental plans include orthodontic treatment in their covered services. This insurance coverage includes restrictions on age, so orthodontic care must be started before that age to receive coverage.

thumb_down

The Bad

  • Term Variability

Term Variability

The specific terms and coverage of Aetna dental plans are different depending on the insurance policy you choose. Make sure you understand the specifics of a dental plan, especially regarding orthodontics and oral surgery, before making your choice.

gavel

The Bottom Line

Aetna is a well-known insurance provider. They have several kinds of dental plans, including a Dental Discount Program, which allows consumers to find the best fit for coverage and affordability. Before signing up for a dental plan, make sure you know the specifics of the coverage terms. Aetna is an insurer worth investigating when purchasing dental insurance.

View Best Dental Insurance Companies

Was this content helpful?
thumb_up Yes thumb_down No

Star Rating

info

4.0

star star star star star_border

64 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

58%

4 grade

14%

3 grade

6%

2 grade

9%

1 grade

13%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

star star star star_half star_border

Quality

star star star star_half star_border

Service

star star star star_half star_border

Trustworthiness

star star star star star_border
cancel

Filter by:

arrow_drop_down

Sort by:

arrow_drop_down
info
star star star_border star_border star_border

Ronald Raposo Kissimmee, FL

I had to take out Aetna Medical and dental from my Job only option. Medical and dental was ok but I had better. I also took short and long term disability and life insurance paid out of my pocket. 3 years later I became unable to work and filled out the papers for short term. I only received one tiny check 3 month later what a joke. 5 month later I was put on long term disability and within one month again aetna sent me papers to fill out for social security disability and would not let me return to work even if I was able to but I was not. So aetna put me on social security pretty much wanted to get rid of me I became a liability to them and the Job. So my life insurance states if I become disabled aetna will pay my premiums until the age of the policy ends. Well another bomb shell now they denied me stating they feel from there doctor that never seen me claim I could work a sit down Job lol. No one will hire be because of my health. Anyway I fought with them and mentally can't do it no more .Aetna can shove their insurance up their you know what. All I can say is my other life insurance I had no problems I highly would not recommend there life insurance. Your family won't get paid a lot of hidding clause good luck

5 years ago

star star star_border star_border star_border

rsemaria Lindenhurst, NY

Poor coverage. Low maximum. Pay as you go plans seem to be better because you get discounted services at a much lower premium. Dental insurance should give you broad coverage with low or no deductables and no maximum. Just like health insurance.

5 years ago

star star star_border star_border star_border

Gabe Burton Riverton, UT

Aetna Dental, even with an upgrade, is little better than having no insurance at all which is what I had to do for a while before I found Delta Dental. No reputable dentist within an hours drive will accept basic AETNA dental. They will tell you to put your money in the bank for when you need service. They will cover next to nothing besides cleaning, minor fillings, and extractions if you can find a dentist to accept it.

3 years ago

star star star_border star_border star_border

marco Munford, TN

Didn't have a choice in provider but Aetna worked when i went to the dentist. I only had to pay 5 dollars but i never know how much i'm going to pay until like 1-2 weeks later. It would be cool if could just pay after i leave.

5 years ago

check_circle

Verified Customer

check_circle

Review Source

star star star_border star_border star_border

JOHN T MEEHAN

Coverage not good for out of network. pretreatment review unrealistic.

4 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star_border star_border star_border

bmc2z7 Columbia, MO

Finding an in-network provider was difficult and dealing with the customer service wasn't optimal.

3 years ago