The short answer
When you're self-employed, you lose the employer dental and vision benefits many employees take for granted — health plans (including most ACA plans) don't include adult dental and vision. The fix is straightforward: buy standalone dental and vision plans, which are widely available, affordable, and easy to add to your individual health coverage.
So covering your teeth and eyes as a self-employed person is a simple add-on decision, not a complicated one.
How standalone plans work
Standalone dental plans cover cleanings and exams (often fully), plus a share of fillings, crowns, and other work up to an annual maximum, sometimes with waiting periods for major services. Vision plans cover an annual eye exam and an allowance toward glasses or contacts. Both are inexpensive relative to health insurance and can be bought individually. Our dental, vision and hearing overview explains how to compare them.
For most self-employed people, these plans cost a modest monthly amount and cover routine care that would otherwise be out of pocket.
How to add coverage
Decide based on your needs: if you get regular dental care or wear glasses, standalone plans usually pay for themselves. If you rarely go, you might budget cash for occasional visits instead. Either way, adding dental and vision is a small, practical step to round out your coverage as a business owner. Our self-employed coverage overview covers the full picture.
The takeaway: self-employed workers add dental and vision through standalone plans, filling the gap employer benefits would have covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do ACA health plans include adult dental and vision?
Generally no. Most health plans don't include adult dental and vision, so self-employed people add standalone dental and vision plans separately.
How much do standalone dental and vision plans cost?
They're inexpensive relative to health insurance — a modest monthly amount. Dental plans have annual maximums and sometimes waiting periods; vision plans cover an exam and eyewear allowance.
Are standalone dental and vision worth it if self-employed?
If you get regular dental care or wear glasses, they usually pay for themselves. If you rarely go, budgeting cash for occasional visits may be enough.
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