Ameritas Dental Insurance Review: Is It Worth It?

If you're shopping for dental insurance because you expect to need more than routine cleanings, Ameritas is one of the companies I'd compare first. It isn't usually the cheapest option.

But it often makes up for the higher premium in three ways: larger annual maximums, stronger coverage for major dental work, and many plans that don't require long waiting periods.

On the other hand, if you simply want the lowest monthly premium to help pay for preventive care, you may find better value elsewhere.

For most people, the real question isn't "Does Ameritas have good dental insurance?" It's "Is Ameritas worth paying more for based on the dental work I expect to need?" (If you're still comparing carriers broadly, our guide to the best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare is a good starting point.)

Ameritas Dental at a Glance

*Benefits and waiting periods vary by state and plan.

Who I Think Ameritas Is Best For

I'd usually recommend Ameritas to someone who:

• Expects crowns, root canals, or dentures in the future
• Wants higher annual maximums than many competitors offer
• Is willing to pay a little more each month for stronger long-term coverage
• Wants a PPO plan with a large provider network
• Likes the option of bundling vision coverage in many states

I'd probably compare other companies if:

• Your only goal is keeping premiums as low as possible
• You rarely need anything beyond cleanings and exams
• Your preferred dentist doesn't participate in the Ameritas network

Ameritas Dental Plans

Ameritas keeps things fairly simple with three primary PPO plans. (For a broader look at how different carriers structure their plans, see our dental insurance plans overview.)

All three plan levels generally include preventive coverage, but benefit percentages, annual maximums, and added features vary by state.

• Lite is designed for people wanting affordable preventive coverage with benefits that improve over time.
• Boost adds stronger major-service coverage, child orthodontics, and teeth whitening.
• Complete offers the highest annual maximum along with hearing benefits in many states.

One thing I like is that benefit percentages and annual maximums may improve after the first year, depending on the plan available in your state.

What Ameritas Dental Costs

Premiums vary based on where you live and the plan you choose, but most individual plans fall into these ranges.

These are sample individual rates and shouldn't be treated as nationwide averages. Your actual premium depends on your age, ZIP code, and plan availability.

Higher premiums don't automatically mean a better value.

The more important question is whether the extra premium buys enough additional coverage to offset future dental bills.

The Biggest Advantage

The biggest reason I recommend Ameritas to some clients isn't actually the higher annual maximum.

It's the fact that many plans don't require long waiting periods before covering major dental work.

That sounds like a small detail until your dentist tells you that you need a crown next month.

Many dental insurance companies require you to wait six to twelve months before they'll contribute toward expensive procedures.

With many Ameritas plans, those waiting periods don't apply.

If you're enrolling because you already know you'll need treatment soon, that can make a meaningful difference.

For example, suppose one plan costs $20 more per month but offers a $3,000 annual maximum instead of $1,500. That's an extra $240 per year in premiums. If you need a crown and a root canal, the additional coverage could easily outweigh the higher premium. If you only need cleanings, it probably won't.

The Trade-Off Most People Overlook

Ameritas may offer higher annual maximums and fewer waiting periods, but those advantages usually come with a higher monthly premium.

The question is whether you're likely to use enough dental care to justify paying more every month.

If you need crowns, root canals, dentures, or implants, the stronger benefits may outweigh the extra premium. But if you only use the plan for cleanings and an occasional filling, you could pay more in premiums than you receive in additional value.

That's the main trade-off with Ameritas: stronger benefits, but at a higher ongoing cost.

Even with a $3,000 annual maximum, Ameritas won't necessarily cover all major dental expenses. Deductibles, coinsurance, network pricing, and procedure-specific limitations still apply.

Before You Buy, Remember:

• Annual maximums often matter more than coverage percentages.
• Verify that your dentist participates in the Ameritas PPO network.
• Ask whether your state offers Credit for Prior Coverage if you're switching plans.
• Compare implant coverage if implants are important to you.
• Confirm waiting periods because plan availability varies by state.

Ameritas vs. Delta Dental

Ameritas and Delta Dental are two of the biggest names in individual dental insurance, but they're designed a little differently. (For a closer look at Delta on its own, see our full Delta Dental Insurance review.)

Because Delta Dental plans vary significantly by state and local affiliate, this comparison should be treated as a general guide rather than a universal rule. If you're weighing other carriers against Delta, our Cigna vs. Delta Dental comparison and Aetna vs. Delta Dental comparison follow a similar format.

Coverage varies by state and by plan.

Rather than focusing only on network size, I'd recommend checking whether your own dentist participates before enrolling.

Should You Choose Ameritas?

My Final Verdict

Ameritas isn't the cheapest dental insurance company, but I don't think that's where its value lies.

Its strength is helping people who expect more than routine dental care. Higher annual maximums, increasing benefits, and many plans without long waiting periods can make it a better long-term value than a lower-premium policy.

If your dental needs are limited to cleanings and an occasional filling, paying extra for Ameritas may not be necessary.

But if you expect crowns, root canals, dentures, implants, or other major procedures over the next few years, Ameritas is one of the first dental insurers I would compare.

Sources: Ameritas Dental, Delta Dental. Benefits, premiums, waiting periods, and plan availability vary by state and may change over time. Always review the plan details available in your ZIP code before enrolling.