Can I Have Two Dental Insurances? Everything You Need to Know

Having more than one dental insurance plan can sound like a smart idea—especially if you want to cut down on out-of-pocket costs for treatments. But how does it actually work in real life? Can you really benefit from double dental coverage? Let’s break it down in plain English so you fully understand how dual dental insurance works and whether it’s right for you.

Can I Have Two Dental Insurances at the Same Time?

Yes, you can have two dental insurance plans at the same time. This situation is known as dual coverage. It usually happens when:

• You’re covered under your employer’s dental insurance plan and your spouse’s plan. 
• You have your own private dental insurance and another plan through a secondary source, such as a parent or another job. 
• You’re covered by both Medicaid and a private dental insurance plan. 

Having two dental insurance plans doesn’t mean you’ll never pay for dental care again, but it can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs if both plans coordinate benefits properly.

How Dual Dental Insurance Works

When you have two dental insurance policies, one is considered the primary insurance, and the other is the secondary insurance.

• Primary insurance pays first for covered dental services. 
• Secondary insurance may cover remaining costs that the primary plan didn’t pay for—depending on the coverage and coordination rules. 

For example, let’s say your dental cleaning costs $200. If your primary plan covers 80% ($160), your secondary plan may cover the remaining $40. However, not all procedures work out that smoothly—coverage depends on the limits and coordination of benefits between both plans.

Understanding Coordination of Benefits

Coordination of Benefits (COB) is the process insurance companies use to determine how payments are divided between the two dental plans.

Most dental insurers follow a “birthday rule” when determining which plan pays first for dependents. This means the parent whose birthday (month and day, not year) comes first in the calendar year provides the primary coverage for the child.

If you’re the one covered by two plans, your own employer’s plan is usually considered primary, and your spouse’s plan becomes secondary.

This coordination ensures that claims aren’t overpaid, and your benefits are distributed correctly.

Benefits of Having Two Dental Insurances

Having dual dental coverage comes with several potential advantages:

1. Reduced Out-of-Pocket Costs 
   • If both policies cover the same services, your second plan can cover what the first one didn’t, saving you money on treatments like fillings, cleanings, or crowns. 
2. Wider Coverage 
   • One plan may cover services the other doesn’t, giving you a broader range of covered dental care. 
3. Backup Plan 
   • If you lose one dental plan (for example, if you change jobs), your second insurance provides ongoing protection while you transition. 
4. Better Financial Security 
   • Major dental procedures can be expensive. Two dental insurances can minimize the financial burden of big treatments like root canals, dental implants, or orthodontics.
     

Limitations of Having Two Dental Insurances

While having two dental insurance plans sounds great, it’s not always perfect. Here are a few things to consider:

1. No Double Payment 
   • You can’t get reimbursed for more than 100% of the total dental cost. Even if you have two plans, the combined payment can’t exceed what your dentist charges. 
2. More Paperwork 
   • Handling two insurance companies means extra claim forms, coordination steps, and possibly longer processing times. 
3. Coverage Overlap and Confusion 
   • Some procedures may not be covered by either plan, or both plans might have similar restrictions like annual maximums or waiting periods. 
4. Annual Maximums Apply Separately 
   • Each dental plan has an annual maximum, which is the total amount it will pay per year. Having two plans doesn’t double that amount—you just get two separate limits that work independently.
     

When Having Two Dental Insurances Makes Sense

Dual coverage makes sense if:

• You and your spouse both have dental plans that offer strong coverage. 
• One plan covers major services like crowns or root canals that the other doesn’t. 
• You expect multiple dental procedures in the year and want extra coverage to reduce your total expenses. 
• You’re covered under your employer’s plan but also qualify for a secondary plan like Medicaid or a union policy. 

If both plans have good benefits and low premiums, maintaining two dental insurances can be worth it financially.

When You Might Not Need Two Dental Insurances

Sometimes, paying for two dental insurance plans isn’t worth it. For example:

• Both plans have similar benefits, so you’re paying more for duplicate coverage. 
• One plan already offers high coverage limits and low deductibles. 
• The extra cost of the second plan outweighs what you’d save in claims. 

In these cases, you might be better off saving the money you’d spend on the second premium and using it for out-of-pocket dental care instead.

How to Use Two Dental Insurances Effectively

If you have two dental insurances, here’s how to make the most of them:

1. Inform Both Insurers – Let each company know about the other policy so they can coordinate benefits correctly. 
2. Confirm Coverage Details – Ask about what each plan covers, including waiting periods, deductibles, and annual maximums. 
3. Ask Your Dentist for Help – Most dental offices are familiar with dual coverage situations and can help file claims with both insurers. 
4. Track Your Benefits – Keep a record of how much each plan pays and how close you are to your annual limits.
   

Final Thoughts on Having Two Dental Insurances

So, can you have two dental insurances? Yes, absolutely. And when managed right, dual dental coverage can help you save money and reduce stress when facing dental bills. However, you should always review both policies to make sure the extra premium is worth the potential savings.

In short: having two dental insurance plans can work to your advantage, but only if you understand how coordination of benefits works and use both policies wisely.