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5.1

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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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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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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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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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!

3 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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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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Review Source

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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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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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Sakeena Nazir

Horrible customer service. Will not cover anything and is impossible to talk to anyone on claim issues...

1 year ago