Can I have 2 dental insurance plans?

Yes, you can have 2 dental plans at the same time. In insurance terms, it’s called dual dental coverage.

However, there are some limitations, which can depend on your dental plans, insurance providers, state laws and other factors. Here’s some information to help explain dual dental coverage.

What is dual dental coverage?

Dual dental coverage is when you’re covered under 2 dental plans. This can happen when you have 2 benefit-eligible jobs or you and your spouse both have employer-sponsored coverage. Dual coverage only applies to group plans, not individual plans.

Dual dental coverage can also be used as supplemental dental coverage. Supplemental coverage can help pay for treatment after you reach your primary plan’s spending limit, or help pay for dental treatments your primary plan doesn’t cover.

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How does dual dental coverage work?

When you have 2 dental plans, they divide the costs of approved dental procedures. Typically, your primary dental plan pays first and covers a larger portion of the bill and the secondary plan pays the remaining balance.

When 2 plans work together, it’s called a Coordination of Benefits (COB). Both plans coordinate to figure out how much each will pay to avoid overpayment or a duplication of benefits.

Who is my primary carrier?

Primary vs. secondary insurance coverage can be confusing. Let’s take a quick look to see the difference:

Primary dental carrier—Your primary dental insurance is the plan that covers you as a member. If you have 2 jobs where you’re covered as a member, your first (or oldest) dental carrier is usually your primary plan.

Secondary dental carrier—Your secondary dental insurance is the plan that covers you as a dependent. Generally, your secondary dental policy will not accept a claim until the primary plan has covered its end.

Is dual dental insurance coverage worth it?

The benefits of dual dental insurance depends on your personal needs. If you only need routine checkups each year, 2 policies may not be an advantage. If you predict needing other dental work like tooth fillings or dental crowns, 2 policies could help you save on out-of-pocket expenses.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any disadvantages of dual dental insurance?

Having 2 dental insurance policies could have some disadvantages. For example, you may end up paying 2 premiums for coverage that isn’t better than 1 plan (and 1 premium). Also, it might be complicated managing 2 plans with different coverage levels, deductibles and copays.

Will I receive twice the benefits with dual dental insurance?

No. Dual dental coverage doesn’t mean double benefits. But dual coverage can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses compared to being covered under only 1 plan.

Can I have a dental discount plan with dual dental coverage?

Yes, you can have a dental discount plan with dual dental coverage. However, you can’t use a dental discount plan and dental coverage for the same procedure. In some cases, you may be able to use a dental discount plan to reduce your out-of-pocket costs after you’ve reached the annual maximum limit on your dental insurance.

Learn more about dental insurance

At Humana, we understand you may have more questions about dental insurance. To learn about dental plans, dental care and dental procedures, check out our library of dental articles.