Introduction
Vativis has Aetna dental plans that offer dental discount (savings) plans—an unusual combo that blends coverage and flexibility. Understanding how Aetna stacks up in each category is critical for your decision-making. Let’s dive deeper.
1. Aetna Dental Insurance (PPO/DMO)
Overview
PPO Plan:
$0 annual deductible for preventive care; $50 per person for basic/major services
Covers 100% of cleanings/X-rays, ~80% fillings, ~50% crowns/root canals
Annual limit: $1,000–$1,250
Monthly premiums start around $22–$26
Broad network, no referrals, cost-savings when using in-network providers.
DMO/HMO Plan:
No deductible or annual max
Primary Care Dentist focus; referrals required
Copay structure, lower premiums around $17/month
Why It Matters
Ideal for predictable, regular dental care. Preventive visits are fully covered, and while premiums are higher than discount plans, coverage extends to major dental work with fewer surprises.
Aetna Vital Savings Dental Discount Plan
Overview
Not insurance—it's a membership-based discount plan
Annual fee around $159.95 (~$11/month)
Discounts range from 15–50% on services like cleanings, crowns, braces
Over 160,000 dental provider locations in the Aetna network
No deductibles, no annual caps, no waiting periods
Covers cosmetic (whitening), orthodontics, dentures—often not included in insurance.
How It Works (Example Savings)
Adult cleaning: ~$107 → $59 (≈ 45% off)
Molar root canal: ~$1,085 → $746 (≈ 31% off)
Braces: ~$5,546 → $3,508 (≈ 37% off)
Head-to-Head Comparison
Feature | Aetna PPO/DMO Insurance | Aetna Vital Savings Discount |
Monthly Cost | $17–$26 | ~$12/month |
Coverage Scope | Preventive to major procedures | All procedures with discounts |
Annual Maximum | $1K–$1.25K (PPO); no max (DMO) | No max |
Deductible | $0–$50 | None |
Waiting Period | Sometimes for major work | None |
Network Flexibility | PPO: any licensed, DMO: in-network | Only network providers |
Cosmetic/Orthodontics | Usually not covered | Included with discount |
Claims/Forms | Required | None (pay directly) |
Best For | Regular, ongoing dental needs | Occasional/checkups/major procedures |
Real Savings Scenarios
Occasional Users or Major Procedures:
Need a root canal or new crown? Annual fee + discount often beats insurance out-of-pocket costs.
Frequent Visits or Ongoing Care (e.g., braces):
Insurance may cap annual coverage, making the discount plan more affordable when multiple expensive services are needed in a year.
The Vativis Advantage
Choice: Discount.
Aetna Network: Access to 160k+ providers, seamless integration with other Vativis benefits.
Transparent Pricing: No surprise premiums, deductibles, or waiting periods with Vital Savings.
Bottom Line
Insurance (PPO/DMO) provides predictability with coverage limits—great for regular checkups and gradual preventive care.
Discount Plan wins for:
Single high-cost procedures within a year
Cosmetic/orthodontic work
Avoiding restrictive annual maximums
Learn more about Vativis and its dental discount plans