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United Dental Insurance Review for 2024
United Dental Insurance or UnitedHealthcare Dental Insurance is a part of UnitedHealthcare, a health insurance company that serves millions of members across the United States. It offers individual and family dental plans. These plans can be purchased separately or as an add-on to a UnitedHealthcare health insurance or vision insurance plan. United Dental Insurance plans cover preventive care like regular cleanings, exams, X-rays, and procedures like fillings, crowns, and root canals. It also offers dental discount plans that are not insurance but provide access to discounts from a network of dentists.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large network of dentists and specialists | Some exclusions and limitations may affect coverage or reimbursement |
| Flexible and affordable options | Out-of-network providers may result in higher out-of-pocket costs |
| Preventive care covered at 100% | Cancellation fees may apply if plan is not cancelled before renewal date |
| No waiting periods or annual maximums for preventive/basic care | Some services may not be covered, such as experimental, cosmetic, or non-dentist performed treatments |
| Online tools and resources for managing dental health |
United Dental Insurance Plans
United Dental Insurance plans are categorized into two types: Essential Choice PPO and Dental Family PPO. Here is a brief overview of each type:
- Essential Choice PPO: These are good for individuals or families who want to save money on dental care. You can visit any dentist you prefer or pay less when you choose a dentist from United’s extensive network. Diagnostic and preventive care are covered at 100% with no waiting period when you visit an in-network dentist. There is no deductible for diagnostic and preventive services, but there are deductibles and coinsurance for basic, complex, and major services. The annual benefit maximums range from $500 to $2,500 depending on the plan you choose. DentalWise Basic, DentalWise 1000 and DentalWise 2000 are all part of the Essential Choice PPO plans.
- Dental Family PPO: These are designed for families who need comprehensive dental coverage for themselves and their children. You can choose from different plan options that vary in deductibles, annual benefit maximums, and pediatric essential health benefits. Diagnostic and preventive care are covered at 100% with no waiting period when you visit an in-network dentist. There are also benefits for orthodontics and dentures depending on the plan you choose.
Cost of United Dental Insurance Plans
To give you an idea of how much each type of plan costs, here is a table that shows the monthly premiums for a single person in the state of Florida:
| Plan Name | Monthly Premium | Deductible | Dental Max Benefit | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DentalWise Basic | $26.58 | $100 per individual | $1,000 per person, per policy year | Great for families – budget-friendly plan pricing. Coverage day one – no waiting period for services. Pair it with Medicare – plans available up to age 99. Some benefits increase after one year on the plan. |
| DentalWise 1000 | $36.86 | $100 per individual | $1,000 per person, per policy year | Great for families – budget-friendly plan pricing. Coverage day one – no waiting period for services. Pair it with Medicare – plans available up to age 99. Covers some major services like crowns, dentures, root canals and more. |
| DentalWise 2000 | $45.65 | $100 per individual | $2,000 per person, per policy year | Coverage day one – no waiting period for most services. Pair it with Medicare – plans available up to age 99. Covers some major services, including implants after 1 year. $2,000 dental benefit maximum, per person, per policy year. |
Source: Health insurance for individuals & families | UnitedHealthcare (uhc.com)
Pros and Cons of United Dental Insurance
Pros
United dental insurance plans have several benefits that make them attractive to customers. Some of these benefits are:
- Large network of dentists and specialists: United dental insurance plans have a large number of dentists and specialists in their network, which means you can easily find a provider near you who accepts your plan. You can also choose to see an out-of-network provider, but you may pay more out-of-pocket costs.
- Flexible and affordable options: United dental insurance plans have different levels of coverage and cost to suit your needs and budget. You can choose from PPO plans and from low-premium or high-benefit options. You can also customize your plan with optional riders such as orthodontic care or vision care.
- Preventive care at no cost: United dental insurance plans cover 100% of preventive care services such as exams, cleanings, x-rays, and fluoride treatments for in-network providers. This means you don’t have to pay anything when you visit your dentist for routine check-ups and cleanings.
- No waiting periods or annual maximums: United dental insurance plans don’t have any waiting periods for preventive or basic services, which means you can use your benefits as soon as your plan starts. They also don’t have any annual maximums for preventive or basic services, which means you can use as much of your benefits as you need without worrying about reaching a limit.
- Online tools and resources: United dental insurance plans come with access to online tools and resources that can help you manage your dental health and plan. You can use the online portal or mobile app to find a dentist, view your benefits and claims, estimate your costs, and more. You can also access educational materials and tips on how to improve your oral health.
Cons
United dental insurance plans also have some drawbacks that you should be aware of before signing up. Some of these drawbacks are:
- Exclusions and limitations (Some): United dental insurance plans have some exclusions and limitations that may affect your coverage or reimbursement. For example, some services that are not medically necessary, experimental, cosmetic, or not performed by a licensed dentist may not be covered by your plan. Some services that are covered by another dental or medical plan, workers’ compensation, or government program may not be eligible for reimbursement by your plan.
- Out-of-network costs: United dental insurance plans have a large network of dentists and specialists that accept your plan. However, if you choose to see an out-of-network provider, you may have to pay more out-of-pocket costs than if you see an in-network provider. This is because out-of-network providers may charge higher fees than in-network providers and may not follow the negotiated rates that United has with its network providers. You may also have to file a claim yourself if you see an out-of-network provider instead of having them do it for you.
- Cancellation fees: United dental insurance plans require you to contact them at least 30 days before your plan’s renewal date if you want to cancel your plan. If you fail to do so or cancel your plan after the renewal date, you may have to pay a cancellation fee or forfeit any unused benefits that you have left in your plan.
How to Enroll in United Dental Insurance
To enroll in a United Dental Insurance plan you will need to visit their website or call their toll-free number. You will need to provide some personal information, such as your name, address, date of birth, social security number, etc. You will also need to choose a payment method and agree to the terms and conditions of the plan. Once you enroll, you will receive a confirmation email with your member ID card and other important information.
To use your United Dental Insurance, you will need to present your member ID card or give your member ID number when you visit a dentist. You will also need to pay any applicable copays or coinsurance at the time of service. If you visit an out-of-network dentist, you may have to pay the full cost upfront and then file a claim with United for reimbursement. You can check your benefits and claims online or by calling United’s customer service.
If you have any questions or concerns about United dental insurance plans or services, you can contact them through various channels. Here are some ways to reach them:
- Phone: You can reach their customer service at 1-866-487-93011 or 800-822-5353. They are available from Monday to Friday during their business hours.
- Mail: You can send them a letter at UnitedHealthcare Dental Claims P.O. Box 30567 Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0567.
- Mobile App: UnitedHealthcare also has a mobile app that you can download to manage your health care on the go. The app allows you to find and manage providers, view claims, ID card, cost estimates, account balances, and more.
Is United Dental Insurance Worth It
The answer to this question depends on your personal situation and preferences. United dental insurance may be worth it if:
- You live in the United States.
- You want a large network of dentists and specialists to choose from.
- You want flexible and affordable options for your dental coverage.
- You want preventive care at no cost and no waiting periods or annual maximums for basic services.
- You want online tools and resources to help you manage your dental health and plan.
United dental insurance may not be worth it if:
- You prefer to see an out-of-network dentist or specialist.
- You want more comprehensive coverage for major services such as implants, dentures, crowns, bridges, or orthodontics.
- You don’t mind paying for preventive care and waiting periods or annual maximums for basic services.
- You don’t care about online tools and resources to help you manage your dental health and plan.
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