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4.6

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: November 15th, 2024

MetLife is an established and trusted insurance company. It was founded in 1863 in New York City as National Union Life and Limb Insurance Company. Over the years, MetLife has grown to offer various kinds of insurance internationally. In the United States, MetLife offers life insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, auto insurance, and more.

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The Good

  • Two Kinds of Employer-Provided Dental Plans
  • Additional Insurance Available

Two Kinds of Employer-Provided Dental Plans

MetLife offers two kinds of plans to businesses: a Dental PPO Plan and a Dental HMO/Managed Care Plan.

The Dental HMO/Managed Care plans are available in California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization. With these plans, members do not have deductibles or claims forms. Members must choose a network-participating dentist when they enroll.

The PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans allow members more freedom when choosing a dental care provider. They can see an in- or out-of-network dentist, though great discounts are available with in-network providers.

Additional Insurance Available

MetLife offers other kinds of insurance coverage and services that employers can include in their benefits package:

  • Group Accident and Health Insurance
  • Group Disability Insurance
  • Group Vision Insurance
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Auto and Home Group Insurance Program
  • Group Legal Services

Independent buyers can also purchase the following from MetLife:

  • Homeowners Insurance
  • Condo Insurance
  • Renters Insurance
  • Insurance for Landlords
  • Vision Insurance
  • Auto Insurance
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The Bad

  • One Kind of Dental Plan for Independent Buyers
  • Waiting Periods

One Kind of Dental Plan for Independent Buyers

MetLife only offers one kind of dental plan for independent buyers called MetLife TakeAlong DentalSM. This offering is a PPO and comes with three options:

  • High Option Benefit
  • Medium Option Benefit
  • Low Option Benefit

In addition to dental discounts, the MetLife TakeAlong DentalSM plan includes cost-sharing.

The Low Option Benefit offers 100 percent of treatment costs for preventive care, like cleanings and dental checkups, in- and out-of-network, 70 percent coverage for basic restorative care in- and out-of-network, and 50 percent of major restorative care in- and out-of-network. The maximum benefit for this plan is $1000 per person and has a $75 (individual) or $225 (family) deductible.

The Medium Option Benefit has the same covered services as the Low Option Benefit. The maximum benefit is $1500 per person. The deductible is $50 (individual) and $150 (family).

The High Option Benefit has the same benefit as the Medium Option Benefit, except basic restorative services are covered at 80 percent in- and out-of-network. The High Option Benefit also includes 50 percent coverage for child orthodontia with a lifetime maximum benefit of $1000 per person. The maximum benefit for the year is $2000 per person. The deductible is $25 (individual) and $75 (family).

Interested customers should contact MetLife directly for premium cost information to get a better sense of how much they will pay for a dental insurance policy.

Waiting Periods

All MetLife TakeAlong DentalSM options come with a six month waiting period for basic services and a year waiting period of major and orthodontic services.

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The Bottom Line

MetLife is a reliable insurance provider. It is an especially great option for employers seeking to offer their employees benefits. Interested employers should contact MetLife directly to learn more about their dental insurance policy options. In addition to dental insurance, MetLife offers life insurance, accident and health insurance, and more. Employers can provide a comprehensive benefits package to their employees through MetLife.

MetLife’s options are fewer for independent buyers, which can make it trickier to find the right coverage and budget fit. Other dental insurance companies offer more plan options to independent buyers. Consumers need to contact MetLife directly to learn more about availability and premium rates.

If you’re an employer providing benefits, MetLife is a solid choice.

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Star Rating

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3.7

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93 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

46%

4 grade

20%

3 grade

9%

2 grade

8%

1 grade

17%

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Thomas Cutter

While MetLife has decent or even good coverage, their business practices are evil. They kept denying my dental claim because the dentist submitted me as "Tom" instead of "Thomas". This has taken over 17 months to finally figure out. Who does that other than some greedy blood-sucking a-holes who do not want to pay what they owe. Truly disgusted with them.

3 weeks ago

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mary susan watkins Spring, TX

i have had met life for a few years as it was the plan offered by my employer..when i retired i just kept it and didnt do comparison shopping as i should have..they have been ok for my twice yearly cleaning and checkups,but they dont pay all for x rays and have cut back on what they pay for crown or fillings or the like..i keep my teeth in good condition so luckily i usually just have to pay the once a year x rays..they have however gone up in price as i now pay 45$ monthly for the insurance..when i started with them it was around 30$ per month..most dentists do accept them however, which is good..

2 years ago

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Connor Smith Palm City, FL

With MetLife Dental insurance our family was able to offered having all three kids in braces and also getting wisdom teeth being pulled with a little out of our pockets. Also if we have any other services to get done as a family we are able to get it done without money out of pockets. I like that there is a lot of providers available under insurance company, for us to be able to pick from as a family.

2 years ago

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CarolinaDi Raleigh, NC

MetLife makes every excuse not to pay. They have lots of providers on their online site, but most of the providers listed are not actually Network providers for MetLife. When I called MetLife to tell them about all the misinformation, they told me it was up to the providers to let MetLife know that they aren't in the network - ridiculous. They know who the in network providers are when it comes to paying claims. They need to make sure the list is accurate. I went to an endodontist who was on their list, but they wouldn't pay because they said I was treated in the wrong office. The office they told me I had to go to wasn't even open. For fillings they pay based on a silver filling instead of a composite (tooth colored) filling. So cheap and unfair.

1 year ago

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jamee emens Scottsdale, AZ

We have never experienced one problem. Our family has had ortho work, crowns, bridges, wisdom teeth extractions, etc. The claims are paid quickly, and I never speak to one person. The dentist's office handles it all.

2 years ago

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Carmelo Panama City, FL

My wife has been using Metlife for her dental needs for at least 2 years and she has no complaints. She receives updates on billing which helps check and validate the work. Her dentist has been outstanding.

5 years ago

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Jaime American Fork, UT

MetLife is what our family's current dental insurance is through. I haven't had any problems, and our claims through our dentist seem to go through pretty easily. I get the explanation of benefits, and I like how they're laid out so I can see what's covered and what our portion is.

5 years ago

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Christina Jewett Green Valley, AZ

Since MetLife hasn't negotiated with dentists in years, dentists in my area are dropping Metlife as accepted insurance. If so, you are out of luck. My longstanding dentist dropped MetLife. Looking for a dentist in my community that accepts Metlife has been futile--even when listed, the response is usually that they have been recently dropped. I stayed with my dentist because it was not open season time and my dentist is great. I thought (and the dentist suggested) Metlife would process claims at the lower out of network rate, but a recent bill showed that Metlife paid $0 in benefits (for routine procedures--my annual dentist oral exam and dental hygienist periodontal maintenance). Have been caught in MetLife claim processes before. Two years ago I had the misfortune of getting a toothache several weeks after my annual dentist exam, therefore, a dental exam for the toothache was not covered, because I had used my once a year (!!!) allotment. I cannot believe a toothache was not covered. I cannot wait for open season and would never get Metlife for any insurance purpose.

1 year ago

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Gerald Cecil Chapel Hill, NC

They pay promptly for cleanings and X-rays and that's about it, so not worth the cost IMO. Nothing back for my crowns and implants over the years even when necessary because of an adjacent bridge. One implant was for a failed root canal, they wanted another that the OS said would almost certainly fail again. When you send X-rays and supporting documentation, you wait then they decline again. Daughter got nothing back for wisdom teeth removal.

1 year ago

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Brynna Brady Tucson, AZ

Metlife FedVip Dental Insurance is an absolute scam. Keep shopping around. You will pay more in premiums and co-pays than Metlife pays in claims. The customer service is shotty and unprofessional. The letters from Metlife have inaccurate info and dates. The appeals process is difficult, takes a long time, and will be denied regardless of supporting documents. My previous dentist dropped Metlife in March 2023 after I had scheduled a crown. I had the option to pay out of network cost or find a new provider. I found a provider, but she required an exam before agreeing to do the procedure. Metlife denied appeal and refused to pay for office visit and paid $285 of $1200 claim while I had to come out of pocket over $550. What is the point of having dental insurance when I'm paying more than they are? Biggest scam. Do not recommend.

1 year ago

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Lisa Chesterfield, MO

My dentist suggested Met Take along dental insurance and it has been flawless They waived my waiting period and offer more coverage than Delta Dental for less $..

1 year ago

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Nivea Williams Nashville, TN

Where's the option for zero stars? This company does not offer members in my area even one dentist in network who is board certified within 100 miles. Additionally, most of the dentist they do offer in network have extremely negative reviews, or no reviews at all......MetLife will tell you that you can go out of network, but obviously that is extremely expensive. MetLife seems to be running a sketchy ruse-they provide all the information for in network prices, but the catch- they do not have any in network dentists to offer, and I am in the city of Nashville less than 5 miles from downtown, so not small outlying town. I will be letting my employer know. Do Not use this company unless you must!!

2 years ago

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Blair Allen Durham, NC

MetLife is my dental provider through work and is without any shadow of a doubt the single worst insurance related experience I've ever had. It has been an absolute nightmare in every way trying to submit for the most basic reimbursements. In the year 2022 they have absolutely no online presence or submission inbox, everything has to be faxed or sent in by mail. As if this isn't absurd enough, if you're ever able to get a response from their help email, 99% of the email is automated text that says how they appreciate your response and being interested in understanding how the claim process works, yada, yada, yada. Never straight forward with help or instructions to keep the claim process moving. I've been waiting just over 4 months now for reimbursements and the only progress I've had has come over the phone, and even that has been so, so slow. No updates will ever be relayed to you and if something is waiting you will not know unless you are checking and following up. As someone who is a complete hard headed cheap wad, I know that I'll likely get my reimbursement down the road at some point. But for someone who is speaks English as a second language, or is generally unfamiliar with the process, or unable to pursue a reimbursement in a relentless manner, this would undoubtedly be even worse for them to try to navigate. I genuinely feel terrible for anyone who is living paycheck to paycheck and has to be reliant on MetLife to get them funds back in a timely manner.

2 years ago

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Abby Livonia, MI

No stars at all metlife dental is the worst of the worst hard to find in network offices asue I've been told by a many that metlife is hard to deal with and screw them so finding someone is difficult or I find them and they drop them ause of problems. We personally have been fighting them for over 4 months now we are paying and they are refusing covering anyone in our family because of a mistake they made thereselves nothing to do with us and my family is paying for it I have 2 5 year old who haven't been able to get work done on there mouths and it hurts because thwy aren't paying for anything and we can't afford it all out of pocket that's what we pay insurance for stay clear they suck

2 years ago

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Eddie Rios Ogden, UT

Metlife is our trusted dental insurance carrier currently. I feel there is great coverage, great customer service, handling any issues at all, and super follow up by their staff. I feel well supported with their dental coverage at a good price.

4 years ago

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Miles Strother American Fork, UT

MetLife is my current Dental Insurance provider. They provide plenty of online resources to view benefits and keep track of expenses. The process for signing up for online access was very simple.

5 years ago

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Darleen

Great insurance for what you can get done with your max allowance. Most dentists accept it. Havent had any problems with getting work done.

1 year ago Edited November 1, 2023

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judJ Roller Redgranite, WI

You cannot rely on their dental plan to meet its obligations. For example, they say they cover crowns 50%. They don't. They cover SOME crowns. If you get a cavity under a crown or it has broken and replacing it is a medical necessity, they won't cover any of it unless the original crown is more than TEN YEARS old--the customary requirement is FIVE years. Dropping this coverage like a hot rock as soon as I can and replacing it with a dental savings plan.

1 year ago

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G2R drop San Francisco, CA

Met Life dental nightmare yet they tell you your covered but find a way to not pay for it...shady and unprofessional... I had partials being made and at first it was 50% off but at last minute they found a clause that stated my prior work would have me or make me responsible entire bill $2000 up...when in beginning they stated I'm covered. I wouldn't trust them ever or their policy very SHADY policies

2 years ago

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D K Sacramento, CA

DO NOT USE METLIFE. Filing basic claims for annual X-ray reminds me of the movie rainmaker where Great Benefit is suppose to deny every claim initially no matter what. I literally have been paying HIGH Plan premiums for 3 years and never used the benefits while working overseas and then I come back to USA and get a check up. METLIFE denied the x-ray saying that I already had one this year despite me literally not being in a dentist office for 3 years (too long i know)... Frauds!

2 years ago

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Martha Woodward Charlotte, NC

HORRIBLE!!!!The dentists that are on their preferred dentists list are awful! If you go outside of these doctors they barely pay anything. They tried telling me that a deep cleaning that costs $267 should only cost $80 something and they only will pay 50% of that. They also also give your dental office a price when they call to get a pre authorization then lie and cover way less. STAY CLEAR OF THIS SHADY COMPANY!!!

3 years ago

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Aleah Gree

I like metlife dental insurance, good service, insurance very easy to work with, provide good dentist within your budget

4 years ago

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Shopman Herriman, UT

We have had MetLife Dental Insurance for years. They have great customer service. They are quick to pay claims. My dentist's office always finds them easy to work with.

2 years ago

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Chelsea Bishop Las Vegas, NV

MetLife has been great for our dental insurance. I like that we get our invoices very quickly after a service-- fastest ever for an insurance company! Easy to understand.

4 years ago

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Jennifer Wilson Pleasant Grove, UT

All of our dental needs have been well taken care of. I love the assurance of 6 month check ups for everyone. The consistency of the coverage has been good.

4 years ago

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Mike Ika West Valley City, UT

I had MetLife Dental for many years. My biggest complaint with them was the Max limits per year. Unlike medical where there is a max out of pocket, MetLife dental has a maximum limit to the procedures they’ll perform in a year. One year I needed two crowns and had 5 or 6 cavities. Unfortunately due to the max limit, I had to space these procedure over the course of 2 years in order for insurance to cover everything. Had I not spaced it out that way, I would have had to cover all the cavities on my own.

4 years ago

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Kaitlyn Rios Ogden, UT

Metlife dental insurance was great coverage for me and my family, low deductibles, low fees, and fast coverage for services. All around it was superb.

4 years ago

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Mikayla Ralston Pensacola, FL

My company recently switched to Metlife for dental insurance. So far, the service has been good and I know what I'm paying for all the dental issues we have.

4 years ago

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Nathan D. Warrendale, PA

I have MetLife dental insurance through my employer - they cover some things but not a lot of things, i.e. I decided to get Invisalign braces at the age of 33 to help correct my bit and they stop helping to cover this at age 26.

5 years ago

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Terra Stanko Hyrum, UT

My only experience so far was that MetLife Dental covered nearly 75% of the cost for my daughter to have her bottom teeth fixed when she fell and landed on her face, which was very helpful!

5 years ago

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Hannah Francis Provo, UT

I love MetLife! I just went to the dentist and did not have to pay a single thing. Granted that is because of the certain policy that I have but still. Very impressive.

5 years ago

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Calista Huber Mesa, AZ

I used to have MetLife dental and thought it was alright. I was glad to know how much regular cleanings cost but I never felt like my benefits went much farther than that. Maybe we had the lowest plan though.

5 years ago

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No help The Villages, FL

I have called numerous times!! I got the name of the rep each time and when I have to call back because of the non promised action, the person doesn’t work there any more. Happened 5 times! Now my non payment is being turned over to a collection agency! DO NOT USE THIS INEPT COMP!!!!

1 year ago

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A.Lun New York, NY

Met life is one of the worse dental company ive ever been with. I have waited over 1 month for a pre treatment estimate and having the dentist call several time with no answers. I reached out to Metlife only for them to tell me that they are sending a new treatment estimate and i now have to wait for another 10 to 15 days to hear from them

1 year ago

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Brad M Milford, MA

As others have mentioned - no board-certified providers remotely close to you. Any dentists out there accepting Metlife have bad reviews or are fresh out of school and looking to start a practice! I wish my company would go with another insurer. MetLife is awful!!

2 years ago

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Preetha Arun Henderson, NV

you guyz deserve no star... They Can't even confirm one single page information for claim properly... & keep dragging forever... & will never help you in finding the solution.. the customer service people knows nothing.. worst customer service ever anybody can have in the world.... HORRIBLE PEOPLE

3 years ago

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Della R.Quinn Coleman Plainfield, IL

Been with MetLife for over 19 yrs. I really appreciate the service I have received from the company.. My teeth are more healthy with their help.

4 years ago

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Tina Igo Avonmore, PA

MetLife is the easiest dental insurance to work with. Our coverage is extensive and widely accepted anywhere we go. We really like it!

4 years ago

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Avidflyfisher16 Longmont, CO

I have had MetLife for a number of years for my dental insurance. Not only do they drag their feet in reimbursing claims, they typically deny claims although all the paperwork has been submitted, just to buy time and avoid paying claims on time. I had MetLife insurance through my employer, but would never choose this insurance company if I had to pay for the insurance myself.

4 years ago

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cb Thibodaux, LA

Great coverage! Very trustable when I need something done to my teeth and by far the friendliest customer service to deal with!

4 years ago

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Roche American Fork, UT

I would highly recommend MetLife dental coverage, the insurance is amazing. I have found that most dentist take MetLife.

4 years ago

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Leslie Comstock Orem, UT

MetLife has a great system to check on coverage & any outstanding claims. I like how I can request fax backs when needed.

4 years ago

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Hermes

I have been trying to get a pretreatment claim processed for over 2 months. I have been requesting for a manager or supervisor call me back for weeks. I fell that I am dealing with children doing adults' duties. What a joke!

1 year ago

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Keith Niceville, FL

The coverage looked good, but no one here would accept it as a primary overage. The copays were as much as the monthly payment.

4 years ago

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David Dilley Ocala, FL

Payments are low and hardly any dentists are in their program - even if you have fairly major dental issues it is probably best not to have the insurance

4 years ago

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Carl Casa Grande, AZ

We have a family of six all covered with MetLife. No problems, just a little vague on out of pocket expences.

5 years ago

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Anonymous Huntersville, NC

No problems; billing is handled in a very timely manner;never had to contact company over charges.

5 years ago

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Diana Anastasi

Very good- coverage is very good too although I would like to see more of caps/crowns and bone graft covered more

5 years ago

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Amy N Sandy, UT

MetLife has paid our dental expenses without any problems. We have never had to contact them for anything.

2 years ago

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Bethany Rockville, MD

Our family dental company. For orthodontics, there is no waiting period, which I found attractive when I chose dental plans.

3 years ago