United Healthcare dental insurance is a popular option for many Americans, but is it good for your oral health? In our analysis of United Healthcare's dental insurance plans, we found that they cover a wide range of services, including routine cleanings, fillings, and extractions.
One of the benefits of United Healthcare dental insurance is that it often has a large network of participating dentists, making it easy to find a provider near you. This can be especially helpful if you're new to an area or don't have a preferred dentist.
United Healthcare dental insurance typically has a copayment for services, which can range from $20 to $50 per visit. This can help you budget for your dental care expenses and avoid surprise medical bills.
Many United Healthcare dental insurance plans also offer additional benefits, such as coverage for orthodontic services, oral surgery, and periodontal treatment. These extra benefits can help you maintain good oral health and address any underlying issues.
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Purchasing and Coverage
Purchasing UnitedHealthcare dental insurance is a straightforward process. You can enter your ZIP code on their website to see a list of available plans in your area, with typically five or six options to choose from.
To get started, you'll need to provide some basic information, including your gender, birth date, and whether you're a smoker. This will help UnitedHealthcare determine which plans are available to you. You can also call an insurance agent for assistance if needed.
Once you've chosen a plan, you can add a vision benefit if applicable, select your coverage start date, and enter your payment information. Premiums will likely be automatically deducted from your account each month.
UnitedHealthcare offers individual and family dental insurance plans across the US, with no age limits on acceptance. You can find plans in every state, but availability, coverage, and premiums may vary depending on your location, age, and health condition.
Here are the main types of dental care services covered by UnitedHealthcare:
- Preventive: exams, cleanings and fluoride treatments.
- Basic: simple fillings, extractions and emergency treatments for pain.
- Major: crowns, root canals, oral surgery and bridges
Purchasing a Plan
To purchase a UnitedHealthcare dental plan, start by entering your ZIP code on the website. This will show you a list of available plans in your area.
UnitedHealthcare Dental offers a range of plans to choose from, typically 5 or 6 options. If they don't offer plans in your state, you'll be directed to call an insurance agent who can connect you with UnitedHealthcare partners.
Enter your ZIP code, gender, birth date, and note whether you are a smoker to get started. You'll then be directed to a list of available plans in your area and details about each plan, including premiums, deductibles, basic coverage, and waiting periods to receive care, if any.
UnitedHealthcare provides links to PDF brochures that describe in more detail the coverage, costs, exclusions, and limitations of each plan. This is a great resource to review before making a decision.
To add a plan to your cart, simply click "add to cart" and 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.
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Note that premiums will likely be automatically deducted this way every month. If you have any questions during the process, you can call to speak to an insurance agent who can answer any questions you might have.
Here's a summary of the steps to purchase a UnitedHealthcare dental plan:
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage Plans can help close the gap in dental care costs, which are not covered by Medicare. You must be enrolled in Medicare Part B to sign up for these plans.
Almost half of Medicare beneficiaries did not visit a dentist in 2018, highlighting the need for dental coverage.
UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Advantage Plans with dental coverage that can be found on their website.
You can find these plans by searching for Medicare Advantage Plans with dental coverage on UnitedHealthcare's website.
In Pinellas County, Florida, there are five available UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans with $0 monthly premiums.
You must still pay your Medicare Part B premiums to be eligible for these plans.
An example of a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan in Florida includes dental coverage and other health benefits.
Additional reading: Fehb Medicare Part B
Reviews
Reviews can be a mixed bag for UnitedHealthcare Dental. Many reviewers have reported difficulty finding dentists who accept their plans.
UnitedHealthcare Dental earned second place in J.D. Power's ranking for customer satisfaction in 2022, but dropped to seventh place in 2023. This suggests that the company may not be meeting expectations in terms of customer satisfaction.
Some reviewers have reported issues with claim denials, including for dental work recommended by reputable dentists. Others have complained about not being able to find in-network providers.
It's not uncommon for insurance companies to have a negative skew in reviews, but UnitedHealthcare Dental seems to have its fair share of complaints. Reviewers have reported issues with claim tracking, policy cancellations, and even being charged for premiums after canceling their policy.
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Plans and Pricing
UnitedHealthcare Dental offers a range of plans, including DentalWise Basic, DentalWise Max 1000, and DentalWise Max 3000, with premiums varying from $29.66 to $61.41 per month.
These plans vary in their coverage, with DentalWise Basic offering $1,000 annual benefits cap, while DentalWise Max 3000 has a $3,000 cap. DentalWise Basic has a $100 deductible, while DentalWise Max 3000 also has a $100 deductible.
Here's a comparison of the three plans:
UnitedHealthcare Dental also offers eight dental insurance plans without age limit, categorized into Primary and Premier groups, with plans offering coverage for preventive, basic, and major dental care services.
Wise Max 2000
The DentalWise Max 2000 plan is a solid option to consider, especially for older adults who want a comprehensive package that includes dental, vision, and hearing benefits. This plan comes with a $100 deductible and a $2,000 annual benefit maximum.
It's worth noting that this plan covers half the cost of dental implants after one year of coverage, which can be a significant cost savings. In contrast, some other plans may not cover implants at all unless they're considered integral to a medical procedure.
The monthly premium for this plan is under $60, making it a relatively affordable option. If you're looking for a plan that offers some coverage for dental implants, this could be a good choice to consider.
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Plans for Seniors
If you're a senior looking for dental insurance, UnitedHealthcare offers several plans that might be a good fit. One of the most affordable options is the DentalWise Basic plan, which has a monthly premium of $29.66.
This plan covers preventive care, such as exams, cleanings, and X-rays, for $0. It also covers basic procedures, like fillings and simple extractions, with a 60% coinsurance after the deductible in the first policy year, increasing to 80% in the second year.
For those who want more comprehensive coverage, the DentalWise Max 3000 plan is a better option. With a monthly premium of $61.41, it covers major procedures, like bridges and crowns, with a 15% coinsurance after the deductible in the first year, increasing to 50% in the second year.
If you're looking for a Medicare Advantage plan with dental coverage, UnitedHealthcare offers several options. For a 65-year-old man in Pinellas County, Florida, there are five available plans with $0 monthly premiums. These plans cover dental care, as well as other health benefits.
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One plan that stands out is the DentalWise Max 2000 plan. With a monthly premium under $60, it provides dental, vision, and hearing benefits. After one year of coverage, UnitedHealthcare covers half the cost of dental implants, which can be a significant cost savings.
Here's a summary of the plans mentioned:
Plans
UnitedHealthcare offers a range of dental plans, including the Primary Plus Dental, Primary Preferred Dental, Premier Elite Dental, and Premier Plus Dental plans.
The Primary Plus Dental plan has a $50 deductible per member for basic services and an annual maximum of $1,000 per person, with 100% coverage for preventive services and 50% coverage for basic services after the first year.
The Primary Preferred Dental plan has a $50 deductible per member for combined basic and major services and an annual benefit of $1,000 per person, with 100% coverage for preventive services, 65% coverage for basic services after the first year, and 15% coverage for major services after the first year.
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The Premier Elite Dental plan has a $2,000 annual benefit max per member, with a $50 deductible per person for combined basic and major services, 100% coverage for preventive services, 50% coverage for basic services after the first year, and 50% coverage for major services after the first year.
The Premier Plus Dental plan has a $2,000 per person annual benefit limit for general dental services and a $1,000 lifetime limit for orthodontics, with 100% coverage for preventive services, 50% coverage for basic services after the first year, and 50% coverage for major services.
Here are some key features of UnitedHealthcare's dental plans:
Keep in mind that these plans and pricing may vary depending on your location, age, and other factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How good is UnitedHealthcare coverage?
UnitedHealthcare has a high member satisfaction rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, indicating a positive experience with their health insurance plans. Members praise their medical care, doctors, and ability to get appointments.
Sources
- https://www.seniorliving.org/insurance/dental/unitedhealthcare/
- https://money.com/unitedhealthcare-dental-insurance-review/
- https://theperfectsmilekc.com/united-healthcare-dental-insurance-coverage/
- https://www.uhc.com/health-and-wellness/health-topics/dental-health
- https://emergencydentistclinics.com/dental-insurance/united-healthcare-dental-ppo-insurance-review/
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