Best for size of dental network: UnitedHealthcare
4.17 CMS Star Rating UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are widely available and boast the largest Medicare Advantage provider network, although member experience ratings are average. (855) 821-0556 / TTY 711 Call UnitedHealthcare from UnitedHealthcare States available 49 states and Washington, D.C. Members in high-rated plans Medium (50% to 89%) Member experience 3.55 (Average) States available 49 states and Washington, D.C. Members in high-rated plans Medium (50% to 89%) Member experience 3.55 (Average) Pros Cons
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 4 out of 5 UHC 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, 80% 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
3.75 CMS Star Rating Cigna plans are low-cost and member experience scores are about average, but star ratings from CMS have declined. from askchapter.org States available 29 states and Washington, D.C. Members in high-rated plans Medium (50% to 89%) Member experience 3.53 (Average) States available 29 states and Washington, D.C. Members in high-rated plans Medium (50% to 89%) Member experience 3.53 (Average) Pros Cons
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.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Preventive dental coverage may include cleanings, fluoride treatment, X-rays and exams. Comprehensive dental coverage may include diagnostic services, periodontics (gums), extractions, restorative services (fillings, bridges), endodontics (root canals) and prosthodontics (artificial teeth).
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.
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
Best for extra perks: Aetna
4.14 CMS Star Rating Aetna Medicare Advantage plans are widely available and offer a variety of extra benefits. Member experience scores are also high, and star ratings land just above the industry average. from askchapter.org States available 46 states and Washington, D.C. Members in high-rated plans Medium (50% to 89%) Member experience 3.77 (Above average) States available 46 states and Washington, D.C. Members in high-rated plans Medium (50% to 89%) Member experience 3.77 (Above average) Pros Cons
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 reimbursem*nt 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 asaccess to CVS MinuteClinic locations for primary care or a fitness reimbursem*nt 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
4.35 CMS Star Rating Humana plans are widely available, highly rated by CMS and score well for member satisfaction. Humana also offers $0-premium plans in 49 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. from askchapter.org States available 49 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico Members in high-rated plans High (90% or more) Member experience 4.04 (Above average) States available 49 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico Members in high-rated plans High (90% or more) Member experience 4.04 (Above average) Pros Cons
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 (94%) 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
4.66 CMS Star Rating Devoted Health has above-average star ratings from CMS, but recent expansion means many plans don't have score data yet. from askchapter.org States available 13 states Members in high-rated plans High (90% or more) Member experience 3.03 (Average) States available 13 states Members in high-rated plans High (90% or more) Member experience 3.03 (Average) Pros Cons
Devoted Health
Standout feature: As a startup, Devoted Health plans have a much higher-than-average star rating from CMS.
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 for Medicare Advantage dental plans:
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.
» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
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.
Medicare Advantage review methodology
The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies; in many places, one insurer serves more than half of the market. NerdWallet reviewed 26 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurers having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.) At the national level, these reviews include nine of the 10 largest brands by enrollment. At the state level, our research includes at least one major insurer in 47 of the 49 states that offer Medicare Advantage plans, and includes the top two insurers in 35 of those states. (Alaska doesn't offer Medicare Advantage plans.) We also look at online search volume to identify regional and other notable players in the space.
NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage reviews are based on ratings data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as well as pricing, plan availability by state, plan types available, consumer experience, extra benefits offered and more. These reviews are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several plans to find the best coverage and rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines for additional information.
