What is a Max Benefit?
A “maximum benefit” is a cap on how much an insurance plan will spend on covered dental care during a year. Approximately 90 percent of private dental plans sold in the U.S. have maximum benefit limits. DentalInsurance.com analyzed its nationwide inventory of PPO and indemnity dental plans and identified over half a dozen plans with high maximum benefits. If you need a more detailed explanation of this insurance spending limit, see our article “What Is a Maximum Benefit in a Dental Insurance Plan?”
How We Chose High Max Benefits
$1,000 annual maximums were common in the 1960s and 1970s. However, the average maximum has not risen at the same rate as inflation in the following decades. For example, an analysis of dental plans in 2023 found the average maximum benefit was below $2,000 in states such as:
- New York - $1,703
- Pennsylvania - $1,770
- California - $1,845
- Georgia - $1,985
- North Carolina - $1,987
For the purposes of this article, a high maximum dental plan has at least $2,500 in potential insurance company spending toward covered dental services. This amount is more than 25 percent higher than the state averages given above.
Examples of Dental Plans with High Maximum Benefits
To make your shopping easier, DentalInsurance.com has compiled a brief list of dental plans with very high maximum benefits. While many dental plans have maximum benefits below $2,000 annually, the plans below have limits significantly more generous to their enrollees. Please review an individual product’s benefits on its dedicated plan page for additional information.
| |
Waiting Periods Before Some Dental Services Covered? |
Annual Maximum Benefit (single enrollee) |
Limitations on Maximum Benefit |
| NCD Complete by MetLife |
None |
$10,000 |
The maximum limit on dental implants is $3,000 per calendar year |
| Humana Extend 5000 |
Preventive care has no waiting period, basic care has a 90-day coverage delay, and major care has a 6-month coverage delay |
$5,000 |
The annual maximum benefit for dental implants is $2,000, and there is an additional $4,000 lifetime limit on implant costs |
| NCD Elite 5000 by MetLife |
Preventive and basic care have no waiting periods. Most major care has no waiting periods except for dental implants, which have a 24-month delay before coverage begins. |
$5,000 |
Dental implants have a $2,500 maximum benefit each year of coverage |
| Delta Dental Immediate Coverage Plan |
None for traditional dental care. Orthodontia has a 12-month coverage delay |
$3,000 |
Orthodontia has a $300 calendar year cap and a $1500 lifetime maximum |
| NCD Elite 3000 by MetLife |
Preventive and basic care have no waiting periods. Most major care has no waiting periods except for dental implants, which have a 24-month delay before coverage begins. |
$3,000 |
Dental implants have a $1,500 maximum benefit each year of coverage |
| Ameritas Hollywood Smile Premier 2500 |
None |
$2,500 |
Major dental services, such as crowns and root canals, have a lower maximum benefit of $1,250 a year |
| Anthem BlueCross Essential Choice Incentive |
None |
$2,500 |
$1000 Lifetime Benefit Maximum for qualified orthodontic services. |
| Humana Extend 2500 |
90-day waiting period for basic care and 12-month waiting period for major dental care. |
$2,500 |
$2500 annual limit per insured person for preventive, basic and major dental services. $1000 annual limit per person for dental implants. $2000 lifetime limit per person for dental implants. |
| Delta Dental - Dental for Everyone Platinum |
Preventive and basic care have no waiting periods. Major care has a 12-month waiting period |
$2,500 |
Orthodontia care has a $500 annual maximum and a $1000 lifetime maximum. |
| Waiting periods may vary by state. Not all plans available in all areas. |
