Individual dental and vision insurance

If you're looking for dental and vision insurance that you can buy yourself, without an employer, you have several good options. You can purchase a standalone dental plan, a standalone vision plan, or a combined package that covers both.

My recommendation is to compare standalone plans first, then check bundled plans—especially if you mainly want routine cleanings, help paying for glasses or contacts, and protection against unexpected dental bills.

Your best options

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1. Delta Dental — Dental coverage

A strong starting point for individual dental insurance. Plans may cover preventive cleanings and exams, fillings, and more extensive dental work, depending on the policy.

Best for: People who want a dedicated dental plan and a large dental-provider network.

Explore Delta Dental plans

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2. Humana — Dental plans

Offers individual dental options in many markets, including plans with preventive benefits and varying levels of coverage for basic and major procedures.

Best for: Comparing different levels of coverage and monthly premiums.

Explore Humana dental plans

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3. VSP Vision Care — Vision coverage

A leading option to investigate for routine eye exams, glasses, lenses, and contact-lens allowances, depending on the plan.

Best for: People who regularly wear glasses or contacts.

Explore VSP individual vision plans

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4. EyeMed — Vision coverage

Another option for individual vision benefits, with plan details and provider networks that vary by location.

Best for: Comparing eyewear allowances, exam copays, and participating optical retailers.

Explore EyeMed options

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5. UnitedHealthcare — Combined or separate coverage

Worth checking for individual dental and vision products available in your area. Availability, enrollment rules, and whether you can bundle both depend on the specific offering.

Best for: Someone who wants to compare both types of coverage from one insurer.

Explore UnitedHealthcare coverage

These are good providers to compare, not a guarantee that every plan is available in your area. The actual benefits, premiums, and provider networks depend on your ZIP code and the specific policy.

What you might pay in Kentucky

If you're buying coverage in Kentucky, there's a particularly convenient option: Delta Dental of Kentucky sells individual dental plans and vision plans administered by VSP. You don't need employer-sponsored benefits to enroll.www.deltadentalky.com+2

Here are published starting prices to use as a comparison:

Source: published individual-plan prices from Delta Dental of Kentucky. Your actual quote may vary.discover.deltadentalky.com+2

For example, Perfect Smiles plus DeltaVision 150 would start at approximately $43.99 per month, or $527.88 per year, for one person. That doesn't mean it's the best value for everyone.

You can compare the plans directly at Delta Dental of Kentucky or look at Humana's Kentucky dental plans.www.deltadentalky.com+1

What to check before enrolling

• Waiting periods: If you need a crown, root canal, or other major work soon, check when that service becomes eligible for benefits.
• Annual maximum: Dental insurance often caps how much it pays each year. A low premium can come with a low annual maximum.
• Your current dentist: Confirm that your dentist accepts the exact plan and network you're considering.
• Glasses and contacts: Compare the eyewear allowance and how often you can use it.
• Insurance versus discount plans: A dental discount membership isn't insurance; it generally provides reduced fees rather than paying claims.

Let's narrow it down to your best plan

I can help you compare realistic options rather than just insurer names. I have Kentucky as the location to start with.

1. What coverage do you need?

Dental and vision

Dental only

Vision only

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2. Who needs coverage?

Just me

Me and my spouse/partner

Me and my children / family

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3. What's your monthly budget?

Under $30

$30–$40

$40–$70

$70+

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4. What dental care do you expect to need?

Just cleanings and checkups

Fillings or other basic work

Crowns, root canals, or major work

Not sure yet

[Compare my options]

Once I have those details, I can help identify which plans are most worth getting quotes for and which coverage limitations matter most for your situation.

When buying individual dental and vision insurance outside of an employer, your best strategy is often to either buy a bundled package from a major carrier or mix-and-match stand-alone policies (especially for vision, where choices can be more limited).

The top independent options on the market balance nationwide provider networks, clear waiting periods, and reasonable monthly premiums:

Top Combined & Dental Options

• Delta Dental : Widely considered the gold standard for dental coverage. Through their Delta Dental Individual Plans , they offer robust PPO options with preventive care (cleanings, exams, X-rays) typically covered at 100%. They also feature good options if you need restorative work or orthodontics.money.com
• Ameritas : Excellent for flexibility and speed. They offer individual PPO dental and vision plans with some tiers featuring no waiting periods for basic care, meaning you can use your benefits right away. They feature high annual maximum caps and large networks.money.com
• Cigna : Known for budget-friendly individual tiers. Cigna Individual Dental Plans range from low-deductible preventive plans to higher-maximum restorative coverage, and they frequently offer straightforward bundled packages that include vision and hearing.cigna.com
• Guardian : Offers a streamlined Guardian Individual Products lineup specifically targeted at freelancers, gig workers, and retirees. They feature high annual maximums (up to $3,000 on premier tiers) and easy-to-use dental/vision/hearing bundles.

Top Stand-Alone Vision Options

• VSP Vision Care : By far the largest individual vision provider in the U.S. You can buy VSP Individual Plans directly starting around $13/month. They have an enormous network (including independent doctors and retail chains like Costco, Walmart, and Sam’s Club) with immediate or minimal waiting periods.
• EyeMed : Another powerhouse in individual vision care, offering robust networks and customizable allowances for frames, contacts, and laser vision correction discounts.

Key Things to Watch Out For:

1. Waiting Periods: Many individual dental plans enforce a 6-to-12-month waiting period before they pay out for major services (like crowns, root canals, or bridges). If you need immediate major work, look specifically for "no waiting period" plans (though they may feature lower initial payout caps).
2. Annual Maximums: Individual plans typically cap what they will pay per year (usually between $1,000 and $3,000).
3. In-Network Savings: Always check if your preferred dentist or optometrist is in-network. Going out-of-network on individual plans dramatically slashes your reimbursement rate.cigna.com

To help narrow down which specific tier or carrier fits you best, tell me:

• Do you need immediate major dental work (like crowns or root canals), or just routine cleanings and checkups?
• Are you looking to keep a specific eye doctor or dentist , or starting fresh?

Buying individual dental and vision insurance outside of an employer is very common, and several major national carriers offer robust, standalone, or bundled non-employer plans.money.com

Top Standalone & Bundled Non-Employer Plans

1. Delta Dental
   • Overview: The largest dental benefits carrier in the U.S. They offer dedicated individual and family PPO plans directly (not just through employers) with massive nationwide provider networks.
   • Pros: Excellent preventive coverage (often 100% for cleanings and exams), huge dentist pool, and clear tiered options ranging from basic to major services.
   • Cons: Watch out for waiting periods on major work (like crowns or root canals) if you buy certain entry-level individual tiers.money.com
2. Humana
   • Overview: Widely recognized for affordable individual rates and offering plans with no waiting periods on preventive and basic services in many states. They also offer combined dental, vision, and hearing options.
   • Pros: Very competitive pricing (often under $20-$30/mo for baseline individual dental), high spending caps/annual maximums on higher tiers, and straightforward standalone vision add-ons.
   • Cons: Out-of-pocket maximums and specific procedure coverage can vary drastically depending on your state of residence.
3. VSP (Vision Service Plan)
   • Overview: The leading standalone vision care specialist in the country. You can buy VSP individual plans directly to pair with any dental policy or medical coverage.
   • Pros: High frame/contact allowances, low exam copays, and an extensive private-practice and retail doctor network.
   • Cons: Primarily focused on vision only, so you will need a separate partner if you want dental bundled under the exact same bill.
4. Cigna
   • Overview: Offers flexible standalone individual dental plans alongside bundled dental/vision/hearing packages.
   • Pros: Offers plans with low deductibles, high annual maximums on comprehensive tiers, and loyalty-based plans where benefits increase over a 3-year period. 24/7 digital tools via the Cigna Individual & Family Plans portal make claim tracking simple.cigna.com
5. Ameritas (PrimeStar)
   • Overview: Known for comprehensive individual and family coverage spanning dental, vision, and hearing with no age restrictions.
   • Pros: Many PrimeStar plans feature next-day coverage with no waiting periods and true nationwide network access.

Key Factors to Check Before Buying

• Waiting Periods: Check if the plan makes you wait 6 to 12 months before covering major restorative work (fillings might be immediate, but crowns or bridges often trigger a wait).
• Annual Maximums: Most individual dental plans cap out what they will pay per year (commonly $1,000 to $2,000). If you need heavy work, look for higher maximum tiers.
• Network Restrictions: Verify whether your preferred dentist or eye doctor is explicitly in-network for the specific PPO tier you select to avoid surprise billing.money.com

To help narrow down the best fit, tell me:

• Do you have specific dental work you already know you need (e.g., just cleanings vs. a crown/root canal)?
• Do you already have a preferred dentist or optometrist you want to keep seeing?

If you're buying dental and vision insurance on your own, there are several good options beyond employer benefits. Since you're in New Hampshire, I'd start with Northeast Delta Dental for dental coverage and compare standalone vision plans from providers such as Humana and VSP.

The biggest thing to know is that dental and vision insurance are often purchased separately. You can choose the dental plan that fits your dentist and expected dental work, then select vision coverage based on your eye doctor, glasses, or contact lenses.

1. Dental insurance plans to compare

These are some practical starting points for individual coverage in New Hampshire.

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Northeast Delta Dental

(First place to compare)

Offers individual and family plans in New Hampshire, including options through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Compare preventive care, annual maximums, and coverage for major dental work.

Best for: comparing local dentist network access and different benefit levels.

View individual plans ·2026 Marketplace plans+2

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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

A second option to check for individual dental coverage through New Hampshire's Marketplace. Confirm whether the plan is available in your ZIP code and whether your dentist participates.

Best for: comparing network access and premiums against Delta Dental.

Shop through HealthCare.gov www.healthcare.govwww.healthinsurance.orgwww.vspdirect.comwww.eyemed.com

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Renaissance Dental

Another insurer offering standalone individual and family dental plans through New Hampshire's Marketplace.

Best for: getting a third quote before choosing a plan.

Compare Marketplace dental plans www.healthcare.govwww.healthinsurance.orgwww.vspdirect.comwww.eyemed.com

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Humana

Sells several individual dental options in New Hampshire, including PPO insurance and a dental discount plan. Its published plan comparison lists different annual maximums, deductibles, and waiting periods.

Best for: comparing direct-purchase options outside the Marketplace.

Compare Humana dental plans www.humana.com

What dental coverage should you look for?

For context, a 2026 New Hampshire guide reports standalone adult dental premiums of approximately $13–$65 per month through the Marketplace. Your actual quote will depend on the plan and location.www.healthcare.gov+3

One important caution: a plan with a low premium may exclude major work or impose a waiting period. Also, a $2,000 annual maximum is the most the insurer pays for covered services in a year, not the maximum you'll spend yourself.

2. Standalone vision insurance plans

Vision plans are often simpler than dental plans, but the value depends on how much you spend on eye exams, lenses, frames, and contacts.

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VSP Individual Vision Plans

Offers several tiers, including Standard, EasyOptions, Enhanced, and eyewear-only coverage. The provider lists example prices of roughly $12–$35 per month, depending on the plan; confirm your New Hampshire quote.

Best for: people who want choices in eyewear allowances and lens upgrades.

Compare plans and enroll www.vspdirect.comwww.vsp.com

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EyeMed

Offers individual and family vision plans, with advertised starting prices of $5 per month. Available benefits vary by tier.

Best for: comparing a lower-premium option with more comprehensive coverage.

Get an individual quote www.eyemed.comwww.healthinsurance.orgwww.vspdirect.com

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Humana Vision PLUS

Its New Hampshire plan information lists a $10 in-network exam copay, a $200 in-network contact lens allowance, and no waiting period.

Best for: comparing exam and contact lens benefits.

View plans and pricing www.humana.com

3. How much might both policies cost?

Here is a rough starting budget for one adult, using published examples rather than personalized quotes.

These are indicative price ranges, not guaranteed offers. Actual premiums, benefits, and availability vary by ZIP code and plan. Sources: New Hampshire dental guide and VSP plan comparison.www.healthinsurance.org+2

4. Where to buy

• Dental through the Marketplace: HealthCare.gov lists standalone dental plan information. Important: Marketplace dental coverage generally requires you to enroll in a Marketplace health plan at the same time. If you only need dental insurance, check direct-purchase plans instead.www.healthcare.gov
• Dental directly from an insurer: Northeast Delta Dental or Humana.
• Vision directly from an insurer: VSP, EyeMed, or Humana.

5. Let me narrow this down for you

I can help you compare plans that fit your situation rather than just giving you a list of insurance companies.

A few quick details will help me find the most relevant options.

ZIP code

[Input placeholder: Enter ZIP code] (Current value unavailable.)

Who needs coverage?

Just me

Me and my spouse

Family with children

What dental care do you expect?

Routine cleanings and checkups only

Fillings or other basic work

Crowns, root canals, implants, or major work

Not sure yet

Vision needs

Eye exams only

Glasses

Contact lenses

Both glasses and contacts

Combined monthly budget for dental and vision

Under $30

$30–$60

$60–$100

Flexible if the coverage is worthwhile

[Compare plans for me]

With those details, I can focus on plans with meaningful benefits and help you avoid paying premiums for coverage you may not use.