Best Medicare Advantage Dental Plans for Seniors

Original Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental services, such as cleanings, fillings and extractions. Those on Medicare can buy a separate dental policy or turn to Medicare Advantage plans, most of which offer some cost help for dental care in addition to other benefits.

The vast majority (97%) of Medicare Advantage plans offer some access to dental care, although the type of coverage and limits on cost sharing vary. A plan might cover twice-a-year cleanings, for instance, but no fillings or other dental work.

If you’re looking for the best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare Advantage, here are our top picks.

Best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare

Best for size of dental network: UnitedHealthcare

Standout feature: UnitedHealthcare has the largest network of dental providers of all Medicare Advantage companies, with more than 100,000 providers.

UnitedHealthcare is the biggest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S., with a presence in 49 states and Washington, D.C. UnitedHealthcare also partners with AARP and insures Medicare products with the AARP name. About two-thirds (67%) of UHC’s members are in plans with high star ratings.

Pros:

• UHC offers the largest Medicare dental network, with more than 100,000 providers.

• UHC plans with comprehensive dental coverage include an average of nearly seven services per plan.

• Among UHC Medicare Advantage members, 67% are in highly rated plans.

Cons:

• Only 83% of UHC plans offer comprehensive dental coverage, one of the lower percentages among major Medicare Advantage providers.

» MORE: Read our review of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans

Best for comprehensive coverage: Cigna

Standout feature: Nearly every Cigna Medicare Advantage plan comes with both preventive and comprehensive dental coverage, including coverage for endodontics, extractions and restorative services.

Cigna isn’t the largest Medicare Advantage provider, but the company’s plans come packed with benefits: Nearly all plans include comprehensive dental coverage, and many include extras like 24/7 telehealth and meal delivery after a hospital stay. More than 8 in 10 Cigna Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 premium, and Cigna’s comprehensive dental coverage includes an average of seven covered services.

Pros:

• All Cigna Medicare Advantage members have preventive dental coverage, and 99% have comprehensive dental coverage.

• The average Cigna dental plan with comprehensive coverage includes seven covered services.

• Ninety percent of comprehensive dental services from in-network providers come with a $0 copay.

• Cigna’s member experience ratings, including metrics like care coordination and customer service, are above-average among major providers.

Cons:

• Cigna star ratings from the CMS are below the industry average.

• Cigna plans are available in only 29 states and Washington, D.C.

» MORE: Read our review of Cigna Medicare Advantage plans

Honorable mention: Wellcare

Nearly all of Wellcare’s Medicare Advantage plans offer comprehensive dental care, averaging more than six covered comprehensive services per plan. About 78% of in-network comprehensive services come with a $0 copay. Wellcare is available in 37 states.

» MORE: Read our review of Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans

Best for extra perks: Aetna

Standout feature: In addition to providing preventive and comprehensive dental on almost all Medicare Advantage plans, Aetna coverage comes with a number of additional benefits, from CVS MinuteClinic access to a fitness reimbursement allowance.

Aetna, a CVS Health company, is the fourth-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, and 84% of Medicare beneficiaries have the option of a $0-premium Aetna plan. Aetna also offers stand-alone prescription drug plans in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including some of the lowest-premium plans nationwide.

Pros:

• Aetna is available in most states and Washington, D.C.

• In-network preventive dental services (cleaning, X-rays and exams) are covered at 100% on all plans.

• Ninety-four percent of in-network comprehensive dental services come with a $0 copay.

• Some Aetna Medicare Advantage plans offer other perks, such as access to CVS MinuteClinic locations for primary care or a fitness reimbursement allowance that members can put toward activities or fitness supplies.

Cons:

• Aetna customer satisfaction numbers land below the industry average in some major Medicare markets, according to J.D. Power’s latest survey.

• If you go out-of-network for comprehensive dental services, a majority of procedures require coinsurance between 20% and 70%.

» MORE: Read our review of Aetna Medicare Advantage plans

Best for low-cost plans: Humana

Standout feature: Humana offers $0-premium Medicare Advantage plans in 49 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Humana is the second-biggest provider of Medicare Advantage plans and is available in 94% of U.S. counties. Humana plans enjoy strong Medicare star ratings, and nearly all of Humana’s members are in highly rated plans.

Pros:

• All Humana Medicare Advantage plans offer preventive and comprehensive dental coverage.

• Humana offers plans in 94% of U.S. counties, making it an option for most people.

• Most Humana Medicare Advantage members (92%) are in a plan rated 4 stars or higher (out of 5) by the CMS.

• Humana scores above the industry average in customer satisfaction in several major Medicare markets, according to J.D. Power’s latest study.

Cons:

• Humana’s comprehensive dental coverage includes fewer than six services, on average. (Most common: diagnostic services, restorative services and periodontics.)

» MORE: Read our review of Humana Medicare Advantage plans

Best among startups: Devoted Health

Standout feature: As a startup, Devoted Health plans have a much higher-than-average star rating from CMS, as well as above-average member experience ratings.

Devoted Health is an up-and-comer in the Medicare Advantage space, launching in 2017 and doubling its reach by adding eight states to the roster in 2023. Its ratings are high on plans that have enough data to be measured, and all of its plans offer both preventive and comprehensive dental coverage. Since so many plans are new, however, many of them don’t have ratings.

Pros:

•  All of Devoted Health’s plans offer both preventive and comprehensive dental coverage, with an average of more than six comprehensive services per plan.

• Devoted Health Medicare Advantage plans cover 100% of the cost for in-network preventive and comprehensive dental care, within plan limits. 

Cons:

• Devoted Health offers Medicare Advantage plans in only 13 states.

• Many of Devoted Health’s plans are too new to be measured and have no star ratings.

» MORE: Read our review of Devoted Health Medicare Advantage plans

How much does Medicare Advantage dental coverage cost?

Dental costs on a Medicare Advantage plan vary by plan and by service. Some require a copay or coinsurance for every service. For instance, if there’s 50% coinsurance (the most common coinsurance) required for a filling, you would pay 50% of the cost. Some services have a $0 copay if you use an in-network provider but require coinsurance or aren’t covered if you go out of network.

It’s worth noting that services may often be covered at a $0 copay, but with a dollar limit to what the plan will cover. For instance, there may be a $1,000 annual maximum benefit for preventive or comprehensive services (or both). For people enrolled in plans with more comprehensive dental benefits, the average annual dollar limit on coverage is $1,300, according to KFF, a health policy nonprofit. It’s important to read a plan’s Evidence of Coverage to understand the limits on any dental coverage being offered.

What if you have Original Medicare?

If you have Original Medicare, you’ll need to buy a separate dental insurance policy to cover your dental needs or pay out of pocket for dental care. Many Medicare Advantage providers also sell separate dental policies, or you can look for policies with companies like Delta Dental, Liberty, Spirit Dental or Guardian.

How to shop for Medicare Advantage plans

Medicare Advantage plans aren’t just about dental coverage — you’ve got to get the right coverage for all of your health care. Here are some strategies for finding the best plan for you:

• Check star ratings. The CMS collects data on Medicare Advantage plans from member surveys, the plans themselves and medical providers, and then assigns a star rating based on the results. The star rating is on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best.

• Compare out-of-pocket costs. Each plan will have a monthly premium (many Medicare Advantage plans have no premium) and a maximum out-of-pocket cost, which is the most you’ll pay in a year for covered health care.

• Keep your meds in mind. Your medications may seem like an afterthought, but make sure you investigate how each plan will cover your medications — or whether they’re covered at all.

• Look for your doctors. If you’ve got a list of caregivers and medical facilities you use and prefer, look for plans that include them.

• Consider the plan type. If you see specialists frequently and you don’t want to seek a referral for every office visit, a PPO plan is probably the better fit. If you’re a light health care user and see mostly your primary care physician, an HMO might be more affordable.

• Drill down on dental. If a plan notes that it offers dental, keep clicking until you get all the details in a plan’s Evidence of Coverage. Make sure you understand what services are included, what kind of copays and coinsurance you may have to pay and whether there’s an annual limit on what the plan will spend.

Here's an overview of our top picks:

• Best for size of dental network: UnitedHealthcare.

• Best for comprehensive coverage: Cigna.

• Best for extra perks: Aetna.

• Best for low-cost plans: Humana.

• Best among startups: Devoted Health.

You can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan when you first become eligible for Medicare (your initial enrollment period) or during designated annual enrollment periods, such as Medicare open enrollment in the fall and Medicare Advantage open enrollment in the spring.

For information on the Medicare Advantage plans near you, use Medicare’s plan finding tool to see what’s available.