What do dental plans cover?
Dental coverage can include a range of benefits to cover the dental care needs that matter most to you. Explore the following to learn about typical care that may be covered by a dental plan.
| Preventive care | Preventive care is often covered with no deductible or waiting period. This most often includes:
|
|---|---|
| Basic services1 | This often includes simple fillings or emergency treatment for dental pain, subject to deductible and coinsurance. |
| Major services1 | This can include retainers and root canals. These are often subject to the plan’s deductible, coinsurance and waiting periods. |
| Access to a wide dental network | Choose from a variety of dental providers. This often includes dental offices in both private and retail settings. |
| Direct payment to in-network dentists | Easy-to-manage payments. No need to submit claim forms. |
| No age limits | There are coverage options available for every member of your family and every stage of life.2 If you are on Medicare (which doesn’t include dental benefits) we have plans designed specifically for seniors. |
See how dental plans help you manage dental costs — and stay healthier
Did you know that dental plans can help with managing dental care costs? Here are some reasons why having dental benefits can make a big difference.
Better oral health
If you have dental coverage, you’re more likely to get routine dental care
Cost savings
If you wait until there’s a problem, dental care often gets more expensive and involved
Supports overall health
If you don’t get preventive dental care, major health problems, like heart disease and diabetes, appear more often3
Frequently asked questions
Read on to learn more details about dental plans and how they work.
Golden Rule Insurance Company has a variety of dental plans. Options range from budget-friendly to plans with more comprehensive coverage. Compare dental plans and prices to find the right plan for you.
A dental insurance plan works like a health insurance plan. You’ll pay a monthly amount to buy the plan (your premium). Most plans have a deductible, which is the amount you pay for covered services before your plan starts paying. Once you’ve met your deductible, you’ll usually pay for a percentage of covered services (coinsurance) or a fixed amount (copay). Your insurance plan typically pays for the rest, up to an annual maximum amount. A waiting period may apply for some services.
The cost of dental insurance depends on a variety of things. It comes down to the plan you choose and the level of coverage it offers. With some plans, you may pay more up front and less when you get services. With other plans, the opposite may be true. Here are 4 factors that can help you understand the costs:
- Premium: The amount you pay every month to have coverage.
- Deductible: This is the out-of-pocket amount you pay for services covered by your plan before your insurance company pays.
- Coinsurance: The percentage of covered expenses you pay after you meet your deductible. For example, you could have 30% coinsurance for a filling. If the network cost of the filling is $100, you would pay $30 of that. Your insurance would pay the rest, up to your annual maximum.
- Copay: Under some dental plans, you might pay a fixed cost for certain services, like X-rays.
Generally, you can choose from three basic types of dental insurance plans. When you’re looking for dental coverage, consider what your most important factors are (like cost, keeping your dentist or flexibility). Then look at dental plans that would work for you and your situation. Unitedhealthcare branded dental insurance plans from Golden Rule Insurance Company are Dental PPO plans.
Dental indemnity plans
This traditional fee-for-service insurance offers the most freedom of choice. Dental indemnity plans generally have:
- Higher premiums than a Dental HMO or Dental PPO
- Coinsurance. Just like Dental PPOs, there are certain percentages of costs you and the insurance company pay for different dental services.
- A small deductible you must meet
- A calendar year maximum to your benefits
- No network of providers. You’ll get the same benefits with any dentist you choose, but there are no network-negotiated discounts on dental services.
Dental HMO
Dental HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) generally have:
- Lower premiums than a Dental PPO or an indemnity plan
- Copays (standard fixed costs) you will spend for office visits and specific dental services
- No benefits for going to out-of-network dentists or providers
- No annual maximum to the benefits the plan will pay
- A restricted network of dentists and dental providers
Dental PPO
Dental plans underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company are Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans. With a Dental PPO, you generally find:
- Higher premiums than a Dental HMO
- Coinsurance, which is a percentage you and the insurance company pay for different covered dental services. For example, many Dental PPOs cover 100% of preventive services like exams and cleanings. But they may pay only 50% for major expenses like crowns or bridges.
- A calendar year maximum to your benefits (varies by plan)
- A network of dentists or providers with prenegotiated discounted services, which can help you save money
- Some benefits paid to out-of-network dentists or providers you might choose to use
It depends. There is typically no waiting period for preventive services once you become covered. This means as soon as your dental insurance starts, you’ll be able to use the preventive care benefits. Some plans have no waiting period for all types of care. Other plans may have a waiting period of 4 to 12 months for basic and major services.
Why choose UnitedHealthcare?
Explore more supplemental plans
View more plans, like vision and cash-benefit plans, that offer coverage for expenses not covered by a medical plan.
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