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, a subsidiary of the UnitedHealth Group, which underwrites UnitedHealth dental insurance plans.1

You’ll find UnitedHealthcare Dental plans in every state, but availability, coverage, and monthly premium amounts vary, depending on your geographic area, age, lifestyle habits, and health conditions.

In some states, some UnitedHealthcare Dental plans have a waiting period of six months before you can get full coverage for basic dental care, such as fillings and extractions. There is also a waiting period of six months for full coverage of dental emergencies like tooth pain, and for major services like root canals, oral surgery, crowns, and bridges.

Preventive care such as dental cleanings is typically covered fully from day one.3 If your plan has an annual deductible, you’ll pay that amount prior to coverage starting. You may also be required to pay a specified coinsurance amount per treatment or dental visit (a percentage of the cost of the service).

>> From the Pros: Dental Insurance for Seniors

When you enter your ZIP code on UnitedHealthcare’s website, you’ll be asked to answer two or three short questions such as your age, and if you smoke. You will then be given a list of dental plans you’re eligible for, or guided to a site that lists United Healthcare’s Gen Plans or Medicare Advantage plans. Not every Part C plan includes this coverage, so make sure to check before you opt in. At any point in this process, you’ll also have the option of connecting to an insurance agent who can answer your questions.

Like Delta Dental, UnitedHealthcare offers dental insurance plans specifically designed to meet the needs of people aged 64 and up. These plans, called Dental Gen, are sold under the UnitedHealthOne umbrella. Dental Gen plans are underwritten by the Golden Rule Insurance Company. Dental Gen is available in many ZIP codes within most states, as well as the District of Columbia. The plans also include coverage for hearing aids and hearing exams, a huge plus for older adults. Plus, you have the option of adding vision benefits to your plan in some geographic regions.

>> 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, we listed below three plans available to a 65-year-old male smoker who resides in Pinellas County, Florida. United Healthcare also includes dental coverage in three additional Part C plans under the AARP umbrella in that geographic region. It’s important to note that UnitedHealthcare Dental points out in its brochures that limitations and exclusions of benefits, as well as costs, can be state-specific.4

Each of the plans outlined below include hearing benefits, and the option to add vision benefits for $4.07 a month.

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GenSaver Dental

This plan pays 60 percent for preventive dental care from day one with no deductible, and 50 percent for basic dental services after you meet a $100 deductible. It pays a low amount of only 10 percent for major dental expenditures from day one for the first year, but increases to 40 percent after your first year.

At an estimated premium cost of $42.28 a month, this is the least expensive plan we saw. Keep in mind that it also offers the least amount of immediate coverage for emergencies such as root canals.

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

GenBasic Dental

This plan pays for 100 percent coverage of preventive care from day one, but has a $1,500 maximum benefit amount for all dental services per each calendar year.

It pays 50 percent for basic services, and 10 percent for major services from day one. Your coverage amounts will increase over time, up to 65 percent for basic services and 40 percent for major services after year one. Year two offers additional coverage amounts of up to 80 percent.

Like the GenSaver plan, GenBasic has an annual deductible of $100. Its estimated premium cost is $53.01 a month.

GenDeluxe Dental

With an estimated monthly premium of $62.05, this plan provides the most coverage. It also has the lowest deductible, at only $50. However, there’s an annual maximum benefit amount of $2,000.

This plan covers 100 percent of preventive care from day one of the policy’s creation. Coverage for basic and major services ranges from 40 to 80 percent over a two-year period.

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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.5 If you’re eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B, a Medicare Advantage  (Part C) plan with dental coverage can help close that gap. Many Part C plans include basic dental services for no additional premium. Reasonable monthly premium rates may apply for major dental coverage (in addition to your plan’s premium, if there is one, and the Medicare Part B premium). Note that you must enroll in Medicare to be eligible for Part C plans.

>> From the Pros: Guide to Medicare and Medicaid

The right Medicare Advantage Plan with dental coverage for you will depend on individual factors. If you currently have a dentist and doctors you’re comfortable with, check to see if they’re in each plan’s network. There may also be limited access to local area dentists, general practitioners, and specialists in the plans you’re considering, so be sure to check.

You’ll also want to research the medications covered in each plan’s formulary of drug tiers. Keep in mind that Part C plans must cover commonly-used medications, such as those needed for high cholesterol, diabetes, and other common conditions. If your current medications are not covered, similar ones or generic versions might be.

If you frequently see specialists, you might want to choose a plan that has a lower copay. Since there are so many variables, it might 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 several available plans from multiple insurers that had $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 $3,000 dental allowance for covered comprehensive services such as fillings, crowns, and root canals. This plan covers 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 around $99 to $1,249.

Additional benefits include:

• Individual or group therapy, with a copay, or virtual mental health visits at no cost
• Diabetes monitoring supplies (with brand limitations)
• Coverage for Medicare-approved durable medical equipment (DME)
• Silver sneakers gym membership (availability varies by area)
• 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

UnitedHealthcare vs. Other Medicare Part C Providers

We used the Find a Plan tool at Medicare.gov to compare Part C plans in Brooklyn, NY. Here’s a snapshot of several plans and insurers you may wish to consider:

• *HMO-POS – health maintenance organization with a point of service option
• **PPO – preferred provider organization
• ***HMO – health maintenance organization

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 three to 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 may be able to 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. Some reviewers, who work in dental offices, said that UnitedHealthcare Dental and Golden Rule Insurance Company seem to deny many claims.

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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 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. However, it's only available in a handful of states. (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.