Medicare Advantage plans, which are sold by private insurers, are a bundled alternative to Original Medicare. They consist of Medicare Part A (hospital coverage), Part B (medical insurance), and, in most cases, Part D. (prescription drug benefits). These plans have a monthly premium or (in some cases) no premium, and they frequently include extra benefits such as hearing and dental coverage.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, also assigns each plan a star rating on a scale of 1 star (worst) to 5 stars (best) based on the quality of care and customer satisfaction.

The vast majority of Medicare Advantage plans (97%) provide some access to dental care, though the type of coverage and cost-sharing limits vary. A plan might cover twice-yearly cleanings but not fillings or other dental work. 

In 2022, 48% of Medicare beneficiaries, or more than 28 million people, were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. Here are our top picks for the best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare Advantage in 2023.

Best for size of dental network: UnitedHealthcare

Average Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment: 4.28 out of 5.

Service area: Available in 49 states and Washington, D.C.

Standout feature: UnitedHealthcare has the largest network of dental providers of any Medicare Advantage company, with over 100,000 providers.

With a presence in 49 states, UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the United States. UnitedHealthcare collaborates with AARP and insures Medicare products under the AARP brand. Almost all UHC members are enrolled 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 about seven services per plan.
• Among UHC Medicare Advantage members, 95% are in highly rated plans.

Cons:

• Only 85% of UHC plans offer comprehensive dental coverage, one of the lower percentages among major Medicare Advantage providers.

Best for comprehensive coverage: Cigna and Aetna (tie)

Cigna

Average Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment: 4.15 out of 5.

Service area: Available in 28 states and Washington, D.C.

Standout feature: Almost every Cigna Medicare Advantage plan includes both preventive and comprehensive dental coverage, including endodontics, extractions, and restorative services.

Cigna isn't the largest Medicare Advantage provider, but its plans are jam-packed with benefits like preventive and comprehensive dental care, 24/7 telehealth, and meal delivery. More than eight out of ten Cigna Medicare Advantage plans have no premium, and Cigna's comprehensive dental coverage includes nearly seven covered services on average.

Pros:

• Almost all Cigna Medicare Advantage members will have access to both preventive and comprehensive dental care.
• Cigna's average comprehensive dental plan includes nearly seven covered services.

Cons:

• Cigna plans are only available in 28 states and the District of Columbia.
• Cigna's Medicare Advantage plans are mostly HMOs, which require members to get the majority of their care from in-network providers.
• Cigna Health, a subsidiary of Cigna, was ranked eighth in J.D. The most recent Medicare Advantage study by Power is based on member satisfaction.

Aetna

Average Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment: 3.67 out of 5

Service area: Available in 46 states and Washington, D.C.

Standout feature: More than nine out of ten Aetna Medicare Advantage plans include comprehensive dental coverage, with nearly seven included services ranging from periodontics to extractions to restorative services. Furthermore, 98% of Aetna plans include preventive dental care, such as cleanings and X-rays.

Aetna, a CVS Health company, is the fourth-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, with 84% of Medicare beneficiaries able to choose a plan with no premium. Aetna also provides stand-alone prescription drug plans in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including one of the nation's lowest-premium plans.

Pros:

• Aetna is available in the majority of states as well as Washington, D.C.
• Most plans cover 100% of preventive dental services (cleanings, X-rays, and exams).
• Other benefits provided by Aetna Medicare Advantage plans include an over-the-counter allowance and meal delivery services.

Cons:

• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, assigns an average star rating of 3.67 out of 5 stars to Aetna's 2023 Medicare Advantage plans, which is lower than the national average of 4.15.
• According to J.D., Aetna ranked sixth out of nine Medicare Advantage providers. Power's most recent Medicare Advantage study, based on member satisfaction.

Honorable mention: Wellcare

Almost all of Wellcare's Medicare Advantage plans provide comprehensive dental care, with 95% of plans providing both preventive and comprehensive dental coverage, with more than six covered comprehensive services per plan on average. Wellcare is available in 36 different states.

Best for member satisfaction: Kaiser Permanente

Average Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment: 4.81 out of 5.

Service area: Eight states and Washington, D.C. are covered.

Standout feature: In J.D. Power's most recent U.S. Medicare Advantage study, based on customer satisfaction, Kaiser Permanente took first place out of nine providers.

Kaiser Permanente is the fifth-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, and the company receives high marks from both the CMS and independent rating agencies. The majority of Kaiser's Medicare Advantage plans include dental coverage.

Pros:

• Approximately nine out of every ten Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plans provide preventive dental coverage, and 83% provide comprehensive dental coverage.
• If you need supplemental dental coverage, most Kaiser plans offer it for as little as $9 per month.
• Two of the four Medicare health plans that received a 5-star rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance are Kaiser plans.

Cons:

• Kaiser's comprehensive dental coverage includes fewer than five covered services per plan on average. (The most common services are diagnostics, periodontics, and extractions.)
• Only eight states and Washington, D.C. offer Kaiser Permanente plans (Those states are California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia and Washington state.)
• Kaiser only offers HMO plans, so members must use Kaiser's provider network.

Best for low-cost plans: Humana

Average Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment: 4.35 out of 5.

Service area: 49 states and Puerto Rico are covered.

Standout feature: Humana offers no-premium Medicare Advantage plans in 49 states and Puerto Rico.

Humana is the second-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the United States, with plans available in more counties than any other provider. Humana plans have high Medicare star ratings, and nearly all of Humana's members are enrolled in top-rated plans.

Pros:

• Humana Medicare Advantage plans cover preventive and comprehensive dental care in 94% of cases.
• Humana has plans in 89% of counties in the United States, making it available to more people than any other Medicare Advantage provider.
• Almost all Humana Medicare Advantage members (98%) are enrolled in a plan with four or more stars (out of five) from the CMS.
• J.D. Power's most recent Medicare Advantage member satisfaction study ranked Humana second out of nine providers.

Cons:

• On average, Humana's comprehensive dental coverage includes fewer than six services. Restorative services, diagnostic services, and periodontics are the most common.)

What dental care does Medicare Advantage cover?

Medicare Advantage dental coverage can range from as simple as annual cleanings and X-rays to more comprehensive services like extractions and dentures. Many plans have an annual dollar limit on coverage, so even if a plan covers comprehensive services, you may still have to pay a significant amount out of pocket if you require significant work done in a single year.

Prior authorization for more expensive services may also be required by a plan. (Approximately 88% of Medicare Advantage enrollees will require prior authorization for comprehensive dental services.)

How much does dental care cost with Medicare Advantage?

Dental costs on a Medicare Advantage plan vary depending on the plan and the service. Some services require a copay or coinsurance. For example, if a filling requires 50% coinsurance (the most common coinsurance), you would pay 50% of the cost. Some services have no copay if you use an in-network provider, but they require coinsurance or are not covered if you go out of network.

It's worth noting that services are frequently covered for free, but with a dollar limit on what the plan will cover. For example, preventive or comprehensive services may have a $1,000 annual maximum benefit (or both). According to the KFF, a health policy nonprofit, the average annual dollar limit on coverage for people enrolled in plans with more comprehensive dental benefits is $1,300. It is critical to read a plan's Evidence of Coverage to understand the limitations of any dental coverage provided.

What if you have Original Medicare?

If you have Original Medicare, you will need to purchase a separate dental insurance policy or pay for dental care out of pocket. Many Medicare Advantage providers offer separate dental policies, or you can look for policies from companies such as Delta Dental, Liberty, Spirit Dental, or Guardian.

How to shop for Medicare Advantage plans

Medicare Advantage plans aren't just for dental care; you also need to get the right coverage for the rest of your health care needs. Here are some tips for selecting the best plan for you:

• Examine the star ratings. The CMS gathers information about Medicare Advantage plans from member surveys, the plans themselves, and medical providers, and then assigns a star rating based on the findings. The star rating is from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest.
• Compare your out-of-pocket expenses. Each plan will have a monthly premium (many Medicare Advantage plans do not have a monthly premium) and a maximum out-of-pocket cost, which is the most you'll pay for covered health care in a year.
• Remember to take your medications. Your medications may appear to be an afterthought, but make sure you investigate how each plan will cover them — if they are covered at all.
• Find your doctors. Look for plans that include your preferred caregivers and medical facilities if you have a list.
• Consider the type of plan. A PPO plan is probably a better fit if you see specialists frequently and don't want to seek a referral for every office visit. If you use health care only infrequently and primarily see your primary care physician, an HMO may be more cost-effective.
• Concentrate on dental. If a plan mentions dental coverage, keep clicking until you get all the details in the Evidence of Coverage. Make sure you understand what services are covered, what copays and coinsurance you may have to pay, and whether the plan has an annual spending limit.

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

Use Medicare's plan finding tool to see what Medicare Advantage plans are available near you.