UnitedHealthcare Medicare Dental Coverage
- Many UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans cover dental care, which is something Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t cover. Our review explores the dental services UHC Medicare plans cover, how much they cost and how you can enroll.
Dental coverage is often not included in health insurance plans and requires an additional premium to have it added to your policy. And routine dental coverage isn’t even offered through Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B).
In 2019, about one in six Medicare beneficiaries reported that there was a time in the last year that they could not get dental, vision or hearing care and the cost was a major reason why.1
Although Original Medicare doesn’t cover dental care, many UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include dental coverage. UnitedHealthcare (UHC) also includes dental coverage with many of its insurance packages and offers standalone dental insurance plans.
How Does UnitedHealthcare Dental Coverage Work?
UHC Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits typically require you to pay a deductible and copayments or coinsurance when you receive covered care from in-network dentists, if your plan has a preferred network. Some plans may feature a monthly premium, but many plans feature $0 premiums. Medicare Advantage plans often may come in the form of HMOs or PPOs, like traditional health insurance.
UnitedHealthcare also offers standalone dental insurance plans that you can pair with other insurance plans. Members pay a monthly premium along with a deductible and copayments or coinsurance when utilizing the plan.
What Dental Services Do UnitedHealthcare Medicare Plans Pay For?
UnitedHealthcare Medicare plans can cover a range of routine dental care needs, including:
- Preventive care such as routine exams, teeth cleanings, X-rays and fluoride treatments
- Basic services like fillings and tooth extractions
- Advanced care including root canals, bridges, crowns and more
- Emergency dental care
Braces and orthodontic care may be covered by some UHC Medicare plans, though you should check with your plan’s terms of service or evidence of coverage for details.
Am I Eligible for UHC Medicare Dental Coverage?
To be eligible for a UnitedHealthcare Medicare plan with dental coverage, you must first enroll in both Medicare Part A and Part B and live in the service area of the UHC plan you want to join.
If your dentist is part of the UnitedHealthcare Medicare network or has agreed to the terms and conditions of a UnitedHealthcare plan, you may use your UnitedHealthcare Medicare plan for dental care at that location.
UHC Medicare Dentist Search
UnitedHealthcare has a large network of dentists across the U.S. who accept UHC Medicare plans. In fact, UnitedHealthcare networks include over 1.1 million physicians and other health care professionals across the U.S.2
To find a dentist in your area who accepts UnitedHealthcare dental insurance, you can use the UHC Find a Doctor or Dentist search tool.
How Much Does UnitedHealthcare Medicare Dental Coverage Cost?
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan costs can vary according to your plan benefits, where you live and other factors. Below is a sample of costs for UHC Medicare Advantage plans that include dental coverage for a few select areas around the country.
Please note that UnitedHealthcare offers a number of Medicare Advantage plans in partnership with AARP.
| Location | Plan Name | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
|
Dallas, TX (75201) |
AARP Medicare Advantage SecureHorizons Plan 1 (HMO-POS) |
$0 |
|
AARP Medicare Advantage Choice (PPO) |
$0 |
|
|
AARP Medicare Advantage SecureHorizons Plan 2 (HMO-POS) |
$71 |
|
|
|
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Choice (Regional PPO) |
$49 |
| Chicago, IL (60614) |
AARP Medicare Advantage Choice (PPO) |
$36 |
|
AARP Medicare Advantage Walgreens (PPO) |
$0 |
|
|
|
AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 1 (HMO-POS) |
$0 |
|
AARP Medicare Advantage Access (HMO-POS) |
$0 |
|
|
AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS) |
$26 |
|
| Philadelphia, PA (19103) |
AARP Medicare Advantage Choice Plan 2 (PPO) |
$0 |
|
AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot (HMO-POS) |
$0 |
|
|
AARP Medicare Advantage Choice Plan 1 (PPO) |
$43 |
|
|
AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS) |
$27 |
How Do I Enroll in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Dental Coverage?
Your first chance to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan is during your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period. This period lasts for six months, and it starts three months before you turn 65. You may be automatically enrolled in Medicare if you’re receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or from the Railroad Retirement Board at least four months before your 65th birthday.
Once you’re enrolled in Part A and Part B, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan from UnitedHealthcare that includes dental benefits. Compare plans online to find a UHC Medicare plan with the dental coverage you need. You can also call to speak with a licensed insurance agent who can help you compare plans, coverage and costs, and they can even help you enroll over the phone.
KFF, "Dental, Hearing, and Vision Costs and Coverage Among Medicare Beneficiaries in Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage," September 21, 2021 https://www.kff.org/health-costs/issue-brief/dental-hearing-and-vision-costs-and-coverage-among-medicare-beneficiaries-in-traditional-medicare-and-medicare-advantage/
UnitedHealthcare. (Sep. 30, 2020). Health benefit strategies for brokers and consultants. https://www.uhc.com/broker-consultant.
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