Supplemental coverage
Supplemental coverage refers to products that sit alongside a primary medical plan. Dental and vision are the most familiar examples. Other supplemental products pay benefits tied to specific events or services. These products are generally not a replacement for major medical coverage.
Who commonly considers it
- Households wanting dental or vision benefits their medical plan does not include
- People concerned about financial exposure in a higher-use year
- Businesses rounding out an employee benefits offering
Potential advantages
- Covers categories a medical plan may exclude, such as routine dental and vision
- Can be added to an existing medical plan
- Often a smaller, more predictable monthly cost
Important considerations
- Supplemental products are not a substitute for major medical coverage
- Benefit limits, waiting periods and exclusions are common
- Value depends heavily on how you actually use care
Questions worth asking
- What exactly does this pay, and when?
- Are there waiting periods or annual benefit maximums?
- Does this duplicate something my medical plan already covers?
How Dave helps
Dave will tell you when a supplemental product is genuinely useful for your situation and when it is not worth the premium.
Related reading
Plan availability, eligibility, benefits, exclusions, underwriting requirements, enrollment periods and coverage vary by carrier, product and state.