Health insurance is tied to Open Enrollment. Dental and vision coverage often are not. If you missed the health window, or simply realized in March that you need a dentist, you likely still have options.
The two ways to buy dental and vision
1. Through the marketplace
Stand-alone dental plans sold on HealthCare.gov or a state marketplace generally follow the same enrollment windows as health plans: Open Enrollment, or a Special Enrollment Period after a qualifying event. Marketplace dental plans do not receive premium subsidies for adults.
2. Directly from an insurer
Many insurers sell individual dental and vision plans directly, and many of those can be purchased year-round. Coverage often starts on the first of the next month after you enroll.
The catch: waiting periods
Year-round availability comes with a trade-off. Because people might otherwise buy coverage only when they need expensive work, many dental plans impose waiting periods:
- Preventive care (cleanings, exams, X-rays) — usually covered right away.
- Basic care (fillings, simple extractions) — sometimes a waiting period of several months.
- Major care (crowns, bridges, dentures) — often a longer waiting period.
Some plans waive waiting periods, often at a higher premium. See dental insurance with no waiting period.
Vision is usually simpler
Individual vision plans rarely have waiting periods. Most cover a routine eye exam plus an allowance for glasses or contacts once per year, starting soon after enrollment.
Children's coverage is different
Pediatric dental and vision are essential health benefits under the ACA, so they are handled through health plans and marketplace rules. See children's dental coverage and children's vision coverage.
Before you buy mid-year
- Confirm the effective date and every waiting period in writing.
- Check whether your dentist or eye doctor is in network.
- Compare the annual maximum — see dental annual maximums explained.
- If you need work soon, compare a dental discount plan, which typically has no waiting period.
Want to compare dental and vision plans available right now? Our free tool compares plans across top carriers and shows what you would actually pay in about 60 seconds — no obligation, and a licensed agent reviews your options with you. Get your free quote →