No, adult dental plans are not qualified health plans under the terms of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The ACA lists dental coverage as an essential health benefit for children under age 18; however,[0] this means if you purchase an ACA-compliant health insurance plan, dental coverage must be available for a child on your plan as either part of that plan or as a separate dental plan.
Currently, the ACA does not consider dental coverage to be an essential health benefit for adults age 18 and over, nor does it require insurers to offer adult dental coverage.[1] Effective January 1, 2027, individual states will be allowed to designate whether to require insurers to offer non-pediatric dental coverage as an ACA essential benefit for adults.[2]
Are dental plans ACA-compliant?
No, adult dental plans are not qualified health plans under the terms of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The ACA lists dental coverage as an essential health benefit for children under age 18; however,[3] this means if you purchase an ACA-compliant health insurance plan, dental coverage must be available for a child on your plan as either part of that plan or as a separate dental plan.
Currently, the ACA does not consider dental coverage to be an essential health benefit for adults age 18 and over, nor does it require insurers to offer adult dental coverage.[4] Effective January 1, 2027, individual states will be allowed to designate whether to require insurers to offer non-pediatric dental coverage as an ACA essential benefit for adults.[5]