UnitedHealthcare dental plans: what the individual plans are

For the individual plans on UnitedHealthcare's page, yes. The page says UnitedHealthcare-branded dental plans from Golden Rule Insurance Company are dental PPO plans. That means you have a network of dentists with negotiated rates, plus coverage outside the network at higher cost. Read your plan documents for the exact terms.

No. UnitedHealthcare says dental insurance is sold as a standalone product and you can shop for and enroll in dental coverage at any time, whether or not you have health insurance. Availability varies by state, so enter your ZIP code to see which plans are sold where you live.

Usually. UnitedHealthcare says there is typically no waiting period for preventive services once you are covered, so you can use those benefits as soon as coverage starts. Some plans have a copay for preventive services and others cover them fully. The plan document lists which one applies, and any yearly frequency limits.

It depends on the plan. UnitedHealthcare says some plans have no waiting period for any type of care, while others may have a waiting period of four to twelve months for basic and major services. Check the plan you are considering and ask what happens to treatment you begin during the waiting period.

On its pages, UnitedHealthcare lists root canals among major services, which are often subject to the deductible, coinsurance and waiting periods. The share the plan pays depends on the plan. Ask for the classification and the payment level for the specific code, and request a written estimate before treatment.

It depends on the plan level. UnitedHealthcare says a basic plan that covers preventive care, simple fillings and extractions typically will not cover implants, and that plans with coverage for major services will likely pay for a percentage of implant costs, with you paying the rest. The annual maximum caps what the plan pays.

Some plans do, but most do not, according to UnitedHealthcare. If orthodontic coverage is a main reason for buying, look for that benefit in the plan details and read its limits. Our orthodontic coverage page explains how age limits and separate maximums usually work.

UnitedHealthcare says out-of-network dentists are not limited to negotiated rates and may charge more, and some plans pay no benefit or a lower one. Check your plan's terms and ask the office for a written estimate. If the dentist is in the network, the office usually files the claim for you.

UnitedHealthcare describes it as an alternative to dental insurance that gives you access to discounts on common services from participating providers. You often pay monthly or annually, and there is generally no enrollment or waiting period. It is not insurance, so it does not pay part of the bill.

UnitedHealthcare notes that Medicare does not include dental benefits, and it offers plans designed for older adults. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services describes when Medicare covers dental services linked to certain medical treatments. Our Medicare dental page sets out what is and is not covered.

UnitedHealthcare says you can shop for and enroll in dental coverage at any time, whether or not you have health insurance. Availability varies by state, and each plan has its own waiting periods and start date. Check when coverage begins, and ask about waiting periods before you schedule treatment.

Its page says coinsurance is the percentage of covered expenses you pay after the deductible, and gives an illustration of a filling where you pay a share and the insurance pays the rest up to your annual maximum. Your plan's own percentages are in the plan documents. Use the insurance benefit estimator to model your numbers.