Best Medicare Advantage plan for dental coverage in Baltimore County, Maryland

Why this plan

Alterwood Advantage Choice (HMO) puts $3,175 a year towards dental care, the most of the 9 plans we compare here. The next is Alterwood Advantage Select (HMO), at $2,975 a year.

1 plan here charges a set copay for each service at a network dentist instead of giving a yearly allowance (a dental HMO), so it isn't ranked by dollars. For a crown or dentures one can cost you less than an allowance plan: compare them below.

3 plans here file no dollar amount for comprehensive dental care: they may cover only cleanings and exams, or limit care in ways we can't compare in dollars.

What it gives up

Nothing we can measure: its premium and out-of-pocket limit are no higher than most plans' here, and its star rating isn't below average.

Where else it does well

• Its out-of-pocket limit, $7,500, is among the lowest here; the middle plan's is $7,950.

Who it suits

A large dental allowance suits you if you expect more than cleanings: a crown, a root canal, dentures or implants. Original Medicare covers almost none of that. An allowance is a ceiling, not a promise: the plan can still charge a copay or a share of each bill, limit how often it pays for a service, and pay only dentists in its network.

The next best for dental coverage

Plans with set copays instead of an allowance

1 plan here charges a set copay for each dental service at a network dentist (often called a dental HMO) instead of paying up to a yearly allowance. You choose a dentist from the plan's dental network, and each service has its own price. Listed by the most you'd pay for major work.

Each plan's page lists every dental service and its copay; its dental guide says how often each is covered.

Before you choose

• Check your doctors and hospitals. Most Medicare Advantage plans pay only, or mostly, for care in their own network. Ask the plan, or your doctor's office, before you join.
• Price your prescriptions. What your drugs cost can differ by hundreds of dollars a year between plans and outweigh any premium difference. Add them in our plan list to see your own costs.
• Read the plan's own documents. We take every figure from what the plan filed with Medicare, but its Evidence of Coverage is the final word on what it pays.
• Get free advice if you want it. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) gives free, unbiased help choosing a plan.

How we picked

The plan with the most money a year towards comprehensive dental care -- fillings, crowns, root canals, dentures -- as the plan filed it with Medicare. Money only dental care can use counts ahead of an allowance shared with other benefits. Plans that charge a set copay for each service instead of paying from an allowance (dental HMOs) aren't ranked by dollars; they're listed separately, by their highest copays for fillings and crowns, root canals and dentures. Where several tie, we look next at the largest Part B giveback, then the lowest premium, then the lowest out-of-pocket limit for in-network care. Plans that still tie are listed by name.

We compare the 11 Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage that anyone with Medicare in Baltimore County can join. Special needs plans and PACE, which are only for people who qualify, aren't included; you'll find them on the Baltimore County page. No plan pays to be picked.

We don't pick plans Medicare rates below 3 stars, and leave 2 out here: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Complete (PPO) (2.5 stars), CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Signature (PPO) (2.5 stars). Plans too new to have a rating are included, and say so.