Costco Dental Insurance Plans Review: Is It Worth It In 2024?

While Costco does not offer its own dental insurance, however, they do provide a range of dental insurance plans through their partnership with Delta Dental of Washington.

If you are planning to get a dental policy through Costco, this article will serve as a guide for you. We will cover Costco dental plans, prices, and whether or not their policy is worth going for.

What does Costco dental insurance cover?

Costco dental insurance through Delta Dental of Washington coverage includes Preventive Care like cleanings, exams, x-rays, and fluoride. They also provide other dental care like crowns, fillings, root canals, implants, periodontal maintenance, non-surgical extractions, and orthodontics.

Related: The Standard Dental Insurance Plans Review

Costco dental Insurance plans review

Costco members are eligible for dental insurance with Delta Dental of Washington. These dental plans are available to Costco members in Washington.

The dental plans are affordable and are available in both individual and family plans. Here is a quick preview of Costco dental insurance family and individual plans with their average price.

Basic Plan

If you want to receive 100% coverage on most preventive care services and 50% coverage on fillings and non-surgical extractions, the Basic plan is for you. Below are the benefits of the plan

Monthly Premium
Eastern/Western WA
Plan Year Maximum
 
Shared Maximum Benefit
 
Individual Starting Rate
$29. / $34.
$1000 per personNone
Deductible
 
Office Visit Copay
 
Preventive Care
Cleanings, exams, x-rays and fluoride
None$15100% cleanings and exams
50% panoramic/full mouth x-rays and fluoride
FillingsiCrownsRoot Canal
Surgical & Non-Surgical
50%Not CoveredNot Covered
Non-Surgical ExtractionsPeriodontal MaintenanceOrthodontics
50%Not CoveredNot Covered
Annual ContractWaiting Periods 
YesMay Apply

Clear Plan

The Clear plan is for those seeking to manage out-of-pocket treatment costs and are looking to start their dental coverage the month after they enroll. Here’s what the plan entails.

Monthly Premium
Eastern/Western WA
Plan Year Maximum
 
Shared Maximum Benefit
 
Individual Starting Rate
for individuals ages 26-50
$34. / $45.
Actual rate may be higher or lower depending on age
NoneNone
Deductible
 
Office Visit Copay
 
Preventive Care
Cleanings, exams, x-rays and fluoride
NoneNone$65 Copay
FillingsCrownsRoot Canal
$115 Copay$740 Copay$535 Copay
2 teeth in 12 months after purchase or renewal, once per tooth every two years after
Non-Surgical ExtractionsPeriodontal MaintenanceOrthodontics
$115 CopayIncluded in Preventive Care VisitNot Covered
Annual ContractWaiting Periods 
YesNone

Enhanced Plan

The Enhanced plan is suitable for those seeking 100% coverage on most preventive care services and 50% on most major procedures. Here are the benefits of the plan.

Monthly Premium
Eastern/Western WA
Plan Year Maximum
 
Shared Maximum Benefit
 
Individual Starting Rate
$48. / $55.
$1000 per personNone
Deductible
 
Office Visit Copay
 
Preventive Care
Cleanings, exams, x-rays and fluoride
$50None100%
FillingsCrownsRoot Canal
50%50%50%
Non-Surgical ExtractionsPeriodontal MaintenanceOrthodontics
50%50%Not Covered
Annual ContractWaiting Periods 
YesMay Apply

Ascent Plan

If you are looking for enhanced coverage on services like cleaning, exams, and an increased annual maximum, then this plan will suffice your dental needs. Below are the plan benefits.

Monthly Premium
Eastern/Western WA
Plan Year Maximum
1st Year, 2nd Year, 3rd Year  
Shared Maximum Benefit
 
Individual Starting Rate

$52. / $60.
$1,000 / $1,250 / $1,500 per personNone
Deductible
 
Office Visit Copay
 
Preventive Care
Cleanings, exams, x-rays, and fluoride
$50None100%
Fillings

1st Year, 2nd Year, 3rd Year
CrownsRoot Canal
50% / 60% / 70%50%50%
Non-Surgical Extractions and ImplantsPeriodontal Maintenance
1st Year, 2nd Year, 3rd Year
Orthodontics
50%50% / 60% / 70%Not Covered
Annual ContractWaiting Periods 
YesNone

Family Plus Plan

The Delta Dental Family Plus plan is ideal for families and individuals seeking orthodontic care. This plan also includes coverage for braces and aligners installed by DMD or DDS.

Monthly Premium
Eastern/Western WA
Plan Year Maximum
 
Shared Maximum Benefit
 
Individual Starting Rate
$55. / $63.
$1500 per personAdditional $250 maximum benefit per person up to $1250
Deductible
 
Office Visit Copay
 
Preventive Care
Cleanings, exams, x-rays, and fluoride
$50None100%
FillingsCrownsRoot Canal
50%50%50%
Non-Surgical & Surgical Extractions and ImplantsPeriodontal Maintenance
One per six months
Orthodontics
50%50%50%
($1,500 lifetime maximum w/ 12-month waiting period)i
Annual ContractWaiting Periods 
YesMay Apply

Premium Plan

The Premium Plan is made for individuals and families looking for a plan with the highest per-person dental coverage. The plan includes a $100 policy lifetime deductible and a $2,000 annual plan maximum.

Monthly Premium
Eastern/Western WA
Plan Year Maximum
 
Shared Maximum Benefit
 
Individual Starting Rate
$60. / $69.
$2000 per personNone
Deductible
 
Office Visit Copay
 
Preventive Care
Cleanings (3x), exams (3x), bitewing x-rays (2x) and fluoride (1x)
$100 Policy LifetimeNone100%
FillingsCrownsRoot Canal
80%50%50%
Non-Surgical and Surgical ExtractionsPeriodontal Maintenance (3x)Orthodontics
50%50%Not Covered
Annual ContractWaiting Periods 
YesMay Apply

Benefits of Costco Dental Insurance

Wide array of plans to choose from

Through Delta Dental of Washington Individual and Family plans, you can get access to six special insurance packages. These plans are tailored to meet different individual and family needs.

Large PPO Plus Premier network

Another benefit is the ability to keep your dentist or choose from the PPO Plus Premier network. This network has over 4,700 dental care providers in Washington and more than 150,000 across the country.

Comprehensive and pocket-friendly Dental Coverage

Costco provides comprehensive and pocket-friendly dental coverage for all your major dental needs. Dental procedures like root canals, crowns, fillings, and non-surgical extractions are discounted and will help you save more on things that matter most.

Related: AAA Dental Insurance For Massachusetts & Rhode Island

Limitations

Limited Coverage Network

One common complaint with DDWA plans, including those in Washington, is that they have a network of preferred providers. If you go to a dentist outside of this network, your coverage may be significantly reduced or not covered at all.

Waiting Periods

Delta dental insurance plans, often have waiting periods for certain types of dental work, especially major procedures. Most of their individual and family plans come with waiting periods.

Annual Maximums

DDWA Annual maximum is $2000 per person and if you require multiple procedures in a single year, you may hit your annual maximum quickly, leaving you responsible for any additional costs.

How to get a quote

You can get a quote today with Delta Dental Insurance of Washington on their website.

Who is Costco dental insurance ideal for?

  • Costco members
  • People who live in Washington
  • Primarily need routine dental care
  • Families who may max out other plans’ annual payment limits at the dentist

Their Basic Plan offers 100% coverage for preventive care, such as cleanings and exams, and 80% for basic dental procedures, such as fillings and extractions. Major procedures, such as crowns and bridges, are typically covered at a lower percentage, such as 50% in their Premium, Family Plus, Ascent, and Enhanced Plans.

Also read: Single Tooth Implant Cost Without Insurance

Is Costco dental insurance worth It?

For individuals and families seeking comprehensive and affordable dental coverage, Costco Dental Insurance can be a worthwhile investment. Costco is renowned for offering value to its members, and one of its notable benefits is affordability. Their dental insurance plans provide various coverage options to suit different dental requirements and budgets. This ensures that you can receive the necessary care without having to incur excessive costs.

Additionally, Costco Dental policy offers the advantage of having a network of preferred dentists and specialists. If your preferred dental care provider is part of their network, you can benefit from lower out-of-pocket costs, making it easier to access the dental care you trust.

However, if you are looking for a dental policy with a large network of providers, Costco Dental may not be the best here.

Also, if your preferred dentist or specialist is not included in the network, you may have to pay more out of pocket or switch to a different provider. This can be inconvenient and disrupt your established dental care routine.

Costco dental insurance waiting period

Depending on the plan you choose, your coverage may be subject to a waiting period. Delta Dental plans like the Ascent and Clear Plan do not include any waiting period. However, waiting periods do apply to all other plans.

Does Costco cover cosmetic procedures?

Cosmetic dental procedures like teeth whitening, are not covered by Costco and are rarely provided by any type of dental insurance.

Also read: Allianz Long-Term Care Insurance

What are some alternatives to Costco dental insurance?

Some alternatives to Costco dental insurance include:

  • Aetna Dental
  • Cigna Dental
  • Humana Dental
  • UnitedHealthcare Dental

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I find a dentist who accepts Delta Dental Insurance of Washington?

You can search for a participating dentist on the Delta Dental of Washington website by using their “Find a Dentist” tool. This tool allows you to locate dentists in your area who accept their insurance.

Does Costco Dental policy cover orthodontic treatment, such as braces?

Some Delta Dental plans like the Family Plus Plan offer coverage for orthodontic treatment, including braces and and aligners.

Can I purchase Costco Dental Insurance as an individual or do I need to be part of a group?

Delta Dental offers dental insurance plans to both individuals and families. You can purchase an individual plan or explore their family plans.

How do I enroll in Costco dental insurance?

To enroll in Costco dental insurance, you must be a Costco member. You can enroll online or by calling Costco customer service.

What is the annual maximum benefit for Costco dental policy?

Costco dental annual maximum benefit is $2,000 per person. This means that Costco through Delta Dental of Washington will pay up to $2,000 for covered dental services per year.

Does Costco dental insurance cover prescription drugs?

No, Costco dental insurance does not cover prescription drugs.

Does Costco cover vision care?

No, Costco dental insurance does not cover vision care.

Does Costco cover dependents?

Yes, Costco dental insurance covers dependents. You can add your spouse and children to your plan.