UnitedHealthcare Dental Insurance for Seniors

UnitedHealthcare Dental Coverage Options

UnitedHealthcare Dental offers individual and family dental insurance plans across the U.S., with no age limits on acceptance and a range of coverage and premium options. UnitedHealth Group, referred to as UnitedHealthcare, received an A+ rating from AM Best for its strong financial standing. AM Best gave the same high marks to the Golden Rule Insurance Company, which underwrites many UnitedHealth dental insurance plans.

You’ll find UnitedHealthcare Dental plans in every state, but availability, coverage, and premiums can vary quite depending on your area, age, and health condition. In some states and with some UnitedHealthcare Dental plans, there’s a waiting period of six months before you can get basic care, such as simple fillings or emergency treatment for dental pain, or major services like root canals or retainers. You’ll also likely have to pay your deductible before you’re covered for these services and coinsurance (a percentage of the cost of the service) costs as well.

>> From the Pros: Dental Insurance for Seniors

When you enter your ZIP code on the website, you’ll either be directed to a list of available individual dental insurance or Medicare Advantage with dental care plans, or UnitedHealthcare will instruct you to call one of its insurance agents to walk you through options (such as insurance through one of its subsidiaries) where you live.

Like Delta Dental, UnitedHealth offers dental insurance plans specifically for people 64 and older. Called Dental Gen plans, they’re underwritten by the Golden Rule Insurance Company and are available in certain areas of every state except Massachusetts and New York. Dental Gen plans include hearing exams and some coverage for hearing aids, and policyholders can add a vision benefit to their plans in some states. Of the four Dental Gen plans, Dental Gen Plus is the only plan available in Arkansas, New Jersey, Nevada, and Wyoming. The optional vision benefit isn’t available in Minnesota, Rhode Island, or Washington.

>> Related Reading: Best Vision Insurance for Seniors

Once you’re eligible for coverage, UnitedHealthcare will pay in-network dentists directly, so there’s no need for policyholders to submit claims for services themselves.

For a sample of what you might expect from UnitedHealthcare individual dental plans, here are three of the six available plans we found for a 65-year-old man, and smoker, in Pinellas County, Florida. Note that Dental Gen plans are not available in this area, and UnitedHealthcare Dental points out in its brochures that limitations and exclusions of benefits, as well as costs, can be state-specific.

DentalWise Basic

This is a bare-bones dental care plan best for older adults in fairly good dental health, because major services are not covered. With this plan, there are no waiting periods for most dental care. Aetna, Cigna, and Humana, by comparison, have waiting periods of 90 days or up to a year before major dental care is covered.

Two routine exams and cleanings per year are included with the DentalWise Basic plan, and you don’t have to wait to schedule them since there’s no waiting period. We also appreciate that some benefits increase after one year. For example, this plan provides 60% coverage for simple fillings the first year and 80% coverage for fillings the second year.

>> Learn More: Everything You Need to Know About Insurance for Seniors

DentalWise Basic premiums can be under $30 a month and have a $100 deductible, which is pretty standard among dental insurance plans. But the $1,000 annual maximum per person per year is on the low side. Important to note again is that DentalWise Basic does not cover major services such as crowns, extractions, bridges, dentures, partials, and root canals for at least two years (if ever).

DentalWise Max 1000

Like DentalWise Basic, the Max 1000 plan includes routine X-rays, exams, and cleanings, for less than $40 a month (premiums can vary). This plan provides coverage for major dental services, unlike the DentalWise Basic plan, for not much more money per month. Plus, you can see any dentist you want to with this plan, but you might need to pay out-of-network providers up front and get reimbursed later, UnitedHealthcare Dental notes. The insurer advises that the costs of services likely will be cheaper if you see in-network providers. If you already have a dentist you like, this plan might be good for you, but keep in mind that you’ll need to cover out-of-pocket dental expenses up front.

>> Further Reading: Best Dental Plans for Seniors in 2024

Like UnitedHealthcare’s lower-premium dental plans, DentalWise Max 1000 offers 100% coverage for preventive services and graduated benefits (meaning benefits increase over the years you keep your policy). Some Delta Dental plans, for example, cover 25% of basic dental services in the first year and 50% in years two and three. The DentalWise Max 1000 plan will cover 60% (after meeting the $100 annual deductible) of the cost of fillings the first year, and 80% in the second year of your policy. This plan also provides 15% of the costs (after deductible) of some major services such as crowns, dentures, and root canals the first year and 50% in the second year.

Important to note is that DentalWise Max 1000 does not cover the cost of implants. The DentalWise Max 2000 and 3000 plans do (as do some Delta Dental plans), after a 12-month waiting period and with a $1,500 lifetime maximum benefit (Note: this max is separate from the annual dental coverage maximum). Also, this plan has an annual benefit maximum of $1,000, which isn’t a lot if you do need major dental work done. If implant coverage is a priority for you, you might want to opt for UnitedHealthcare’s DentalWise Max 2000 or 3000 plans instead.

DentalWise Max 2000

This plan has the same $100 deductible as UnitedHealthcare’s lower-priced dental plans and a $2,000 annual benefit maximum. We like that this plan provides dental, vision, and hearing benefits for a pretty reasonable monthly premium (under $60). Another plus is that after one year of coverage, UnitedHealthcare covers half the cost of dental implants. By contrast, the Delta Dental PPO Value Plan for Seniors should cover some of the cost of dental implants, but Aetna Dental plans do not unless it’s considered integral to a medical procedure.

>> Related Content: Changes in Health and Health Care Needs as We Age

Hearing benefits include up to $750 for hearing aids and one exam per year. After a $10 copay, this plan covers 100% of the cost of standard single-vision, bifocal-lined, and trifocal-lined lenses and provides a $150 allowance for glasses frames from an in-network provider. If you go out of network, DentalWise Max 2000 will pay a $40 to $105 allowance depending on the specific service (for example, $50 for eye exams or $105 for 12 months of contact lenses).

>> You Might Like: Best Hearing Aids in 2024

DentalWise Max 2000 could be a good option for older adults who would like hearing and vision coverage as well as dental. It’s also a strong dental plan to consider if you’re looking for some coverage for dental implants, which can get pricey.

UnitedHealthcare Dental Plans for Seniors Costs

Here are a few of the UnitedHealthcare dental plans, administered by the Golden Rule Insurance Company, that are available for a 65-year-old nonsmoking woman in Los Angeles. Remember that prices and availability will vary based on your location, age, gender and other factors:

UnitedHealthcare Dental Medicare Advantage Plans With Dental Coverage

Dental care costs are not covered by Medicare, which is why many older adults tend to skimp on dental services as they age. If you’re eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B, a Medicare Advantage plan with dental coverage can help close that gap, at no cost to you or with a reasonable premium in addition to your Medicare Part B premiums. (Note: You must be enrolled in Medicare Part B to sign up for these plans.)

>> From the Pros: Guide to Medicare and Medicaid

The right Medicare Advantage Plan with dental coverage for you will depend on individual factors, such as provider availability in your local network and which benefits are included in your area plans. Some plans might cover specific medications you take, for example, while others might not. Or if you frequently see specialists, you might want to choose a plan that has those specialists in your area network, or a lower copay to see those specialists. It might therefore be helpful to call UnitedHealthcare or consult a Medicare Advantage plan broker for help choosing the best one for you.

When we searched UnitedHealthcare’s website for Medicare Advantage Plans with dental coverage for a 65-year-old man in Pinellas County, Florida, we found five available plans with $0 monthly premiums. Again, you must pay your Medicare Part B premiums to be eligible. Here’s an example of a UnitedHealthcare Medical Advantage plan in Florida that includes dental coverage and other health benefits:

AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC-FL (FL-003P) HMO

With this $0 premium plan, you get free oral exams, routine cleanings, X-rays, fluoride, and a $2,500 dental allowance for covered comprehensive services such as fillings, crowns, and root canals. This plan should cover 50% of the costs of bridges and dentures as well.

>> FYI: A Guide to AARP Memberships

The AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC-FL (FL-003P) plan offers additional benefits for vision and hearing, such as $0 eye exams and covered standard prescription lenses, plus a $300 eyewear allowance for frames or contacts. You can also get over-the-counter and brand name prescription hearing aids through UnitedHealthcare Hearing for copays of between $99 and $1,249, currently.

Additional benefits include:

• Individual or group therapy, with a copay, or virtual mental health visits at no cost
• Diabetes monitoring supplies (with brand limitations)
• Some coverage for durable medical equipment (DME)
• Gym membership (availability varies by area and plan)
• Meal delivery after a stay in a skilled nursing facility
• $0 personal emergency response system (PERS)
• Access to a 24-hour hotline to speak to a registered nurse

How to Purchase a UnitedHealthcare Dental Plan

When you enter your ZIP code on the website, UnitedHealthcare Dental will show you a list of available plans in your area. In our research of different locations, we found there are typically five or six dental plans to choose from. If UnitedHealthcare doesn’t offer dental plans in your state, you’ll be directed to call an insurance agent who can connect you with UnitedHealthcare partners who can help you find a plan.

To get started, enter your ZIP code, gender, birth date, and note whether you are a smoker. Then you’ll be directed to a list of available plans in your area and details about each plan, such as premiums, deductibles, basic coverage, and waiting periods to receive care, if any. UnitedHealthcare also provides links to PDF brochures that describe in more detail the coverage, costs, exclusions, and limitations of each plan.

Once you choose a plan, click “add to cart,” where you’ll be asked if you want to add a vision benefit to your plan, if applicable. You can also select your coverage start date and enter your payment information, and voila! Note that premiums will likely be automatically deducted this way every month.

At any point in the process of shopping for dental insurance with UnitedHealthcare Dental, you can call to speak to an insurance agent who can answer any questions you might have.

UnitedHealthcare Dental Reviews

UnitedHealthcare Dental has received some positive reviews online, but, as with most insurance companies, reviews tend to skew negative. Some reviewers said their employer-based dental insurance wouldn’t cover X-rays and cleanings unless they first paid thousands of dollars to meet the deductible. Others said Delta Dental rejected claims for dental work recommended by reputable dentists, such as crowns and inlays. Some reviewers, who work in dental offices, said that UnitedHealthcare Dental and Golden Rule Insurance Company seem to deny many claims.

>> Related Reading: Technology for Seniors

Others wrote that the company didn’t keep track of claims and complaints they had filed or canceled their policies without notifying them. Other online complaints include having to wait six months before getting coverage for cleanings and X-rays and being charged for insurance premiums even after receiving email confirmation that they had canceled their policy.

A common theme in reviews for UnitedHealthcare Dental (and other companies) is the difficulty finding dentists who accept their UnitedHealthcare dental plans, such as the Medicare Advantage plan through AARP. One reviewer noted he was unable to find an in-network provider after calling many dentists, including those referred to by a UnitedHealthcare representative.

Keep in mind that everyone’s experience is different, so as you consider reviews, take individual testimonials with a grain of salt.

Final Thoughts

UnitedHealthcare provides more coverage for implants than is typical of dental insurance policies. So it could be a good choice for dental insurance if implant coverage is a priority. We also appreciate that policyholders don’t have to wait to schedule dental checkups and cleanings and that some vision and hearing benefits are included in plans with premiums under $40 a month. UnitedHealthcare also helps keep care simple by paying in-network dentists directly rather than requiring policyholders to file claims for reimbursement.

DentalWise Max 3000 is one of the more expensive plans we found in our research, but it also has one of the highest annual benefits caps at $3,000. (Cigna has some plans with higher maximums, for one example.) Another benefit is that UnitedHealthcare insurance pays 60% after the deductible is paid, in the first policy year, and 80% after deductible in the second policy year, whereas some companies’ policies only pay 50% of the costs after the same amount of time.