GEHA Logo
star star star star star_border

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: December 13th, 2022

The Government Employees Health Association, Inc. (GEHA) offers insurance products to federal employees, federal retirees, and their dependents. If you’re part of the group that GEHA serves, you can find good health and dental insurance options. 

Railway Postal Clerks in Kansas City started what became GEHA in 1937. Over the years, GEHA became an insurer specializing in products for federal employees. GEHA is a not-for-profit insurer.

Top Ranked Companies

thumb_up

The Good

  • Good Coverage
  • Dental Care Pricing Tool
  • Access to Discounts

Good Coverage

GEHA offers two types of dental plans: the Standard Option and the High Option

The Standard Option covers in- and out-of-network care. Coverage rates are higher for in-network care than for out-of-network care. This plan covers preventive care, basic, and major dental services. It also offers orthodontic coverage after a 12-month waiting period. In most cases, you’ll need to have started orthodontic treatment while on GEHA’s plan.

Dental coverage has a maximum annual benefit. Orthodontic coverage has a lifetime benefit maximum.

The High Option is similar to the Standard Option. The biggest difference is that the High Option offers better cost-sharing rates and no maximum annual benefit. It also offers a higher lifetime maximum for orthodontia.

For specific details on each plan’s exclusions, limitations, and coverage, work with GEHA directly.

Dental Care Pricing Tool

GEHA has an online pricing tool that its members can use to estimate costs of dental services before receiving them. It takes into account the procedure and which plan you have. 

While these estimates are helpful for gauging costs, the actual cost may be different from the estimate.

Access to Discounts

GEHA members have access to discounts on eye exams, hearing aids, electric toothbrushes, teeth whitening, and medical alert systems from Life Alert®.

thumb_down

The Bad

  • Federal Employees and Their Dependents Only
  • Limited Plan Options

Federal Employees and Their Dependents Only

GEHA is only available to federal employees, federal retirees, and their dependents. If you are not part of the group GEHA serves, its plans are not available to you. You’ll need to consider other dental insurance options.

Limited Plan Options

GEHA only has two dental plans. Other insurers offer a wider selection of plans. Keep in mind that GEHA’s plans offer great coverage. Even with limited options, it’s easy to find good dental coverage to meet your needs.

gavel

The Bottom Line

If you’re a federal employee, retiree, or dependent, GEHA is a great option for dental insurance. While it offers two types of plans, both plans have robust coverage for dental services and include orthodontia benefits. GEHA also offers an online estimator to help you understand what dental care may cost you with your plan.

Becoming a GEHA member also gives you access to discounts on health-related products and services. These include medical alert systems, hearing aids, and electric toothbrushes.

Was this content helpful?
thumb_up Yes thumb_down No

Star Rating

info
star star star star star_border

6 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

50%

4 grade

33%

3 grade

0%

2 grade

0%

1 grade

17%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

star star star star star_border

Quality

star star star star star_border

Service

star star star star star_border

Trustworthiness

star star star star star_border
cancel

Filter by:

arrow_drop_down

Sort by:

arrow_drop_down
info
star star star star star

Barrett Toups Kenner, LA

GEHA Dental is a great plan that is generally very competitive with other plans out there. The in-network provider list is extensive and yes, cleanings, X-rays, sealants, etc. are free. The vision component of this plan is what sets it apart. You will most likely not need additional vision insurance if you have this plan. They are partnered with EyeMeds, and an annual eye exam will only cost you $5. In addition, you can get discounts on frames and lenses. There is no feeling of obligation to get new glasses every year if you don't necessarily need them. Sure, it is a few dollars more than other plans like Aetna, but the vision component is worth every extra penny.

3 years ago

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Steve Greenwell Cape Coral, FL

Denied benefits on the majority of my dental work even though it was listed as covered in their brochure. My dentist is a preferred provider and recommended that I save as many of my teeth as possible to reduce bone loss. He recommends my tooth be filled on three surfaces code D2332 at a cost of $205. GEHA denied the claim under code 2 - BDP Unfavorable prognosis based on the information submitted. No benefits are payable. He recommended I get a crown on another tooth code 2790 at a cost of $1241, plan brochure state coverage $796. GEHA denied the claim under codes 1 - DAP Alternate benefit allowed. The maximum allowable amount is based on the least costly covered service that meets acceptable dental standards and code 2 - BDP Unfavorable prognosis based on the information submitted. No benefits are payable. They refused, even after several inquires, to explain what the alternative would be and why they decided it was unfavorable. We took the case on the filling, all the way to their mandated final process of having a third party, which turned out to be P&R Dental Strategies, LLC, for an independent third-party review. It's a filling for heaven's sake. What dental insurance would you expect to deny paying for a filling? WHY that's all we wanted to know. "Unfavorable prognosis" is not an explanation. They did cover two extractions as described in their plan. My suggestion is if you want your teeth pulled this is the insurance for you. If you want them fixed go elsewhere.

1 year ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star star

Gerald Hays Layton, UT

GEHA is a good company with good rates. They have very good benefits for the price. I just switched to them and was surprised to find out the price I paid also included benefits I had not realized I would get.

4 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star star_border

Danielle Powell Long Beach, MS

This plan was very affordable and covered my son's braces. Wish that company would have called when a special form was needed instead of mailing as information was slightly confusing

4 years ago

star star star star star

Donald K Greeley, CO

Excellent - very good customer service. No recommendations for improvement at this time.

5 years ago

star star star star star_border

Shanna Los Angeles, CA

Very good experience. Haven't really had any problems overall.

5 years ago