Dental Insurance Providers for Seniors on Medicare

Since Original Medicare does not cover dental services, seniors will have to go through private insurers to get coverage. Dental insurance providers offer varying types of Medicare Advantage plans, with different costs and levels of coverage available.

Christian Simmons, writer and researcher for RetireGuide
  • Written by
    Christian Simmons

    Christian Simmons

    Financial Writer

    Christian Simmons is a writer for RetireGuide and a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®). He covers Medicare and important retirement topics. Christian is a former winner of a Florida Society of News Editors journalism contest and has written professionally since 2016.

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    Lamia Chowdhury
    Lamia Chowdhury, editor for RetireGuide.com

    Lamia Chowdhury

    Financial Editor

    Lamia Chowdhury is a financial content editor for RetireGuide and has over three years of marketing experience in the finance industry. She has written copy for both digital and print pieces ranging from blogs, radio scripts and search ads to billboards, brochures, mailers and more.

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    Eric Estevez
    Eric Estevez, Independent Licensed Life Insurance Agent

    Eric Estevez

    Owner of HLC Insurance Broker, LLC

    Eric Estevez is a duly licensed independent insurance broker and a former financial institution auditor with more than a decade of professional experience. He has specialized in federal, state and local compliance for both large and small businesses.

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  • Published: January 10, 2022
  • Updated: February 22, 2023
  • 4 min read time
  • This page features 4 Cited Research Articles
Fact Checked
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A licensed insurance professional reviewed this page for accuracy and compliance with the CMS Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMGs) and Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) and/or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) carriers’ guidelines.

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APA Simmons, C. (2023, February 22). Dental Insurance Providers for Seniors on Medicare. RetireGuide.com. Retrieved October 4, 2023, from https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/dental/insurance-providers/

MLA Simmons, Christian. "Dental Insurance Providers for Seniors on Medicare." RetireGuide.com, 22 Feb 2023, https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/dental/insurance-providers/.

Chicago Simmons, Christian. "Dental Insurance Providers for Seniors on Medicare." RetireGuide.com. Last modified February 22, 2023. https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/dental/insurance-providers/.

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Who Has the Best Dental Insurance for Seniors?

There are several different insurance providers that offer dental coverage, each with differing levels of cost and coverage. The best dental insurance plan will depend on what’s available in your region and what best fits your coverage needs and cost constraints.

Since Medicare services don’t include dental care such as basic teeth cleanings, crowns and dentures, seniors typically turn to Medicare Advantage plans for this type of coverage. These plans, which are provided through private insurance companies instead of the federal government, include everything covered under Original Medicare plus additional benefits.

Comparison of Common Dental Plans from Major Companies
Company Plan Monthly Premium Coverage
Humana Humana Gold Plus $0 Includes exams, cleanings and x-rays
Delta Dental PPO Basic Plan $21.57 Covers preventive care. Fillings and extractions are covered after six months (20 percent copay)
CignaCigna TotalCare Plus $20.80 $2,000 allowance for preventive and comprehensive care
Aetna Aetna Medicare Choice $0 Covers preventive and comprehensive dental services
UnitedHealthcare AARP Medicare Advantage $0 $1,000 limit on preventive and comprehensive services

These companies are major providers of Medicare Advantage and dental insurance plans. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Humana and UnitedHealthcare alone account for a combined 45 percent of Medicare Advantage enrollees.

While the table above compares some common plans, each company offers several options with different tiers of coverage. For example, Delta Dental also offers a premium version of its plan that includes root canal and crown coverage after 12 months. Humana has another version of its Gold Plus plan that comes with a monthly premium but includes expanded dental coverage.

How We Compared the Best Dental Insurance for Seniors

To compare the best dental insurance options available to seniors, RetireGuide researched Medicare Advantage companies with the most enrollees or options across the country and examined some of their most popular plans. Considerations included the specific dental coverage of each plan, as well as how much they cost from monthly premium to copays.

It’s important to remember that <a href=”/medicare/medicare-advantage-plans/”>Medicare Advantage plans</a> are available regionally, so exact cost and availability of plans can vary heavily depending on where you live.

Tips for Choosing a Dental Insurance Provider

When searching for a dental plan near you, be sure to compare not only monthly premiums but also what it includes. For example, one plan may be premium-free but have significantly higher copayments than another plan that includes a premium.

Beneficiaries should also make the most of the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. During this time, seniors can compare and switch between different Medicare Advantage plans or opt to switch back to Original Medicare. So, even if you already have a plan that you like, you can still use this period to compare other options and see if there is a more suitable plan available.

When looking for a plan, you should always be aware of your eligibility. If you qualify for and are enrolled in Original Medicare, then you are also eligible for Medicare Advantage.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Insurance Providers

Are Medicare Advantage Plans and dental insurance providers the same thing?
Medicare Advantage plans are provided through private insurers and can cover dental care. But not all Medicare Advantage plans cover dental and there are other options for dental insurance, like standalone plans that are often sold by insurance companies. The amount and cost of dental coverage varies by each specific Medicare Advantage plan.
What is the best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare?
The best option depends on what you are specifically looking for. Medicare Advantage plans can vary in cost and coverage, so you should identify your dental care priorities and how much you are willing to pay for them.
How much is a dental visit without insurance?
It varies depending on what the visit is for, but dental care is typically expensive. Even something simple like a teeth cleaning can cost over $100 without insurance. More complex procedures and operations can potentially cost into the thousands. This can be a major expense for seniors since dental care is not covered by Original Medicare.
Last Modified: February 22, 2023

4 Cited Research Articles

  1. Haupt, A. (2021, November 3). Does Medicare Cover Dental? Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/health/medicare/does-medicare-cover-dental/
  2. U.S. News & World Report. (2021, October 15). U.S. News Announces the 2022 Best Medicare Insurance Companies. Retrieved from https://www.usnews.com/info/blogs/press-room/articles/2021-10-15/us-news-announces-the-2022-best-medicare-insurance-companies
  3. Kaiser Family Foundation. (2021, July 28). Medicare and Dental Coverage: A Closer Look. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-and-dental-coverage-a-closer-look/
  4. Kaiser Family Foundation. (2021, June 21). Medicare Advantage in 2021: Enrollment Update and Key Trends. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-in-2022-enrollment-update-and-key-trends/