FAQ: Adult dental and vision plans

Independence Blue Cross health plans do not include adult dental benefits. Adult dental plans for consumers age 19 and older must be purchased separately. Visit our dental insurance plan overview page to learn more about how to get a dental insurance plan.

You can apply for an Independence Blue Cross dental insurance plan directly through our website’s online application.

Pediatric dental coverage, for enrolled dependents up to age 19, is included in all of the Individual plans except the Personal Choice Bronze Basic plan. The pediatric dental PPO offers full coverage for in-network dental exams and cleanings every six months from a dental provider within the nationwide Concordia Advantage network.

Pediatric dental benefits are covered in-network only and also include basic and major services, and medically necessary orthodontia. All coinsurance, deductibles, and copays used for pediatric dental services will contribute toward your medical out-of-pocket expenses.

You can apply for adult dental coverage at ibx.com/enrolldental or by calling 1–844–762–2140 (TTY: 711). Adult dental plans can be purchased throughout the year, with or without the purchase of a health plan. Adult dental plans are a 12-month contract that will renew on your anniversary date.

Tip: If you would like your dental insurance plan to be effective on January 1 and renew at the same time as your Independence Blue Cross health plan, be sure to purchase your adult dental plan between November 1 and December 15.

Anyone age 19 and older can purchase an adult dental plan. Please note that Independence Blue Cross members age 65 and older must apply using a paper application, which can be obtained by calling 1–844–762–2140 (TTY: 711).

If you purchase adult dental insurance from Independence Blue by the 15th of the month, your adult dental plan will be effective on the first day of the following month. If you purchase after the 15th of the month, your adult dental plan will be effective on the first day of the second month following the application submission date.

Example:

• Purchase between March 1 and March 15, your dental plan will be effective on April 1
• Purchase between March 16 and March 31, your dental plan will be effective on May 1

Please note that some services, such as crowns, have waiting periods that must be satisfied before they can be covered by the plan. However, preventive and diagnostic services — such as exams, cleanings, and X-rays — do not have waiting periods.

Yes, children age 19 to 26 may be covered under your adult dental plan, once they are no longer eligible for the pediatric dental benefit. Pediatric dental benefits expire at the end of the contract year in which the child turns 19.

Adult dental coverage will be terminated on the first of the month following the dependent’s 26th birthday. These members have the option of purchasing an adult dental plan from our selection of health and dental insurance packages based on their specific needs.

Independence Blue Cross members have ten days from date of purchase to rescind their enrollment in an adult dental plan. Please read your contract carefully for details on the conditions of your policy.

Members can access their policies online via ibx.com or have copies of their Independence Blue Cross adult dental policy mailed to them by calling 1-800-ASK-BLUE (1-800-275-2583, TTY: 711) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.

Independence Blue Cross members who have both health and dental insurance will receive a separate card and bill for their adult dental coverage.

Discounts are available from participating network dentists for non-covered services and for services after your annual benefit maximum is reached. The network dentists offering discounts are indicated with this symbol ▪ in the online dental directory at ibx.com/dentalprovider.

Yes, adult dental provides both in- and out-of-network benefits, but you may save money with an in-network provider. For a list of Concordia Advantage dental providers, visit ibx.com/findadentist.

The Preventive Incentive is a plan feature that enables you to stretch your benefit dollars. The amount your plan pays for covered preventive and diagnostic services — such as exams, cleanings, X-rays, and emergency treatment — does not count toward your annual maximum benefit, so you can use these dollars for other services.

You may download a claim dental reimbursement form from ibx.com.

Dental Customer Service is available at 1-866-568-5994 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

IBX health plans do not include adult vision benefits or any vision service plans. However, pediatric vision benefits are included in all IBX individual health plans for members up to age 19.

Pediatric vision coverage is included in all of our health plans and covers your enrolled dependents up to age 19. Benefits include annual eye care visits and a pair of eyeglasses every calendar year.

If you have questions, and want to obtain adult vision coverage, please call 1-888-475-6206 (TTY: 711).

To locate an in-network vision provider, visit ibx.com/visionprovider.

You can apply for adult or family vision plans at ibx.com/enrollvision or by calling 1–844–762–2140 (TTY: 711). Adult or family vision plans can be purchased throughout the year, with or without the purchase of an IBX health plan. Adult or family vision plans are a 12-month contract that will renew on your anniversary date.

Tip: If you would like your adult or family vision plan to be effective on January 1 and renew at the same time as your Independence Blue Cross health plan, be sure to purchase your adult vision plan between November 1 and December 15.

If you purchase by the 15th of the month, your adult or family vision plan will be effective on the first of the following month. If you purchase after the 15th of the month, your adult or family vision plan will be effective on the 1st of the second month following the application submission date.

Example:

• Purchase between March 1 and March 15, your vision plan will be effective on April 1
• Purchase between March 16 and March 31, your vision plan will be effective on May 1

There is a 30-day waiting period for all covered services and supplies for new contracts. After you have satisfied your waiting period, you can start using your adult or family vision benefits.

Yes, Independence Blue Cross offers both adult and family vision plans. Pediatric vision benefits included in medical plans expire at the end of the month in which the child turns 19.

When a dependent turns 26, they are terminated on the first of the month following their 26th birthday and they have the option to apply for their own vision plan.

Independence Blue Cross members have ten days from date of purchase to rescind their enrollment in an adult or family vision plan. Please read your contract carefully for details on the conditions of your vision service plan.

Members can access their policies online via ibx.com or have copies of their Independence Blue Cross adult or family vision policy mailed to them by calling 1-800-ASK-BLUE (1-800-275-2583, TTY:711) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.

A separate card and bill are provided for adult or family vision coverage.

Yes, adult or family vision provides coverage for both in- and out-of-network benefits. For a list of in-network vision providers, visit ibx.com/visionprovider. Please note that pediatric vision benefits include in-network coverage only.

You may download a claim vision reimbursement form from ibx.com.