Dental & Vision Insurance (US)
Supplemental plans: dental (cleanings/fillings/major work on a 100/80/50 basis) and vision (routine exams, glasses, contacts) — separate from medical.
Do it on the official site
HealthCare.gov / state exchange; carriers (Delta Dental, VSP, EyeMed, MetLife, Cigna); employer
- Fees
Dental annual maximums commonly $750–$1,500; vision premiums ~$10–$25/mo — get a quote [confirmed ranges]
- Processing time
Preventive/vision usually immediate; dental basic/major after the waiting period
- How long it lasts
One plan year
What to know first
- Dental waiting periods common (~6 mo basic, ~12 mo major; preventive none); annual maximum caps payouts ($750–$1,500).
- Vision: exam copay ($10–$25) + frame allowance ($100–$200); covers routine/refractive, NOT medical eye conditions (those are under health insurance).
- Benefits reset annually, no rollover; in-network is cheapest.
- 'Full coverage' rarely 100% — major dental work ~50%.
How to do it
- 1Buy/renew: compare plans (premium, deductible, annual max, waiting periods), confirm in-network provider, enroll (stand-alone often year-round), renew annually.
- 2Claim: in-network providers file for you; out-of-network, pay then submit a claim with an itemized receipt.
What you need to bring
- Photo ID, DOB, address; Marketplace household/income info; payment method
In person
Dental office / dentist; optometrist / eyewear retailer
Questions people ask
- Covered by regular health insurance?
- Usually no for adults (pediatric dental is an ACA essential benefit).
- Vision covers eye surgery?
- No — medical eye care is under health insurance.
- New glasses how often?
- Usually once per benefit year.
Documents that travel with it
Sources
- healthcare.gov dental-coverage; metlife.com vision; deltadental.com (accessed 2026-06-26)