NCD, a Dallas-based ancillary health insurance provider, has launched a free online tool that compares dental benefits across 5,049 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 and 2026. Built on public data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), it is meant to help independent agents prepare for client renewal talks. NCD's analysis found that 31% of 2026 Medicare Advantage members are in plans that cut the annual dental maximum for 2027, typically by $500, or about 30%. Some 11% are in plans that raised it. In all, 35% are in plans with reduced dental benefits and no additions, and 41% are in plans with no change. Of the 2026 plans, 1,039 do not appear in 2027 filings, and 994 plans are new. "When a client asks what their dental benefit really covers, their agent should have a clear answer," said Ben Harrison, chief revenue officer at NCD.

NCD launches Medicare Advantage Dental Comparison Tool built to give agents clear information for 2027 renewals. The online tool compares dental benefits across 5,049 CY2027 plans, with CY2026 side by side. DALLAS, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - NCD, a national leader in ancillary health insurance solutions, today announced its online Medicare Advantage Dental Comparison Tool that compares the dental benefits included in individual Medicare Advantage plans for CY2027 and CY2026. Conceived by CEO Sam Melamed and built on publicly available data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the tool gives independent agents transparent information to bring to renewal conversations with their clients. Using the insights from the tool, NCD has identified how dental benefits included in individual Medicare Advantage plans are changing nationally for the upcoming year: * 31% of Medicare Advantage members in 2026 are in plans that reduced the annual dental maximum for 2027, with a typical cut of $500, or about 30% of the previous maximum whereas 11% of members are in plans that increased the annual maximum. * 15% of Medicare Advantage members in 2026 are in plans that raised coinsurance on at least one comprehensive service for 2027 whereas 2% of members are in plans that reduced coinsurance on at least one comprehensive service. * 14% of Medicare Advantage members in 2026 are in plans that improved an aspect of their dental benefit without giving anything up, whereas 35% are in plans that decreased an aspect of their dental benefit without any additions, 10% in plans that had mixed changes, and 41% in plans that remained unchanged. Consumers often say their Medicare Advantage plan includes dental, but few know the details of their coverage. A plan can keep its dental benefit and still lower the annual maximum, raise copays, or drop a category such as implants or dentures. "There's always a ton of confusion over how embedded dental plans work and how they change each year. We wanted to empower agents who may not have the dental expertise to parse all the different changes, so they can really understand when a standalone plan makes sense for a Medicare Advantage customer who has significant limits on their embedded dental," said NCD CEO Sam Melamed. The tool covers 5,049 CY2027 plans, including SNPs,and compares 16 dental categories, from preventive care to orthodontia. For each plan, agents can see changes to the dollar maximum, deductibles, cost sharing, frequency limits, and prior authorization, along with any categories added or dropped. Each plan is labeled as continuing, renamed, new for 2027, or not in the CY2027 filings, and the tool notes when a buy-up dental rider exists. The filings show a lot of movement. Of the CY2026 plans, 1,039 do not appear in the CY2027 filings, and 994 plans are new for CY2027. Clients affected by these changes may be automatically moved to another plan or may need to choose new coverage. In either case, dental benefits are an important part of the comparison. "When a client asks what their dental benefit really covers, their agent should have a clear answer," said Ben Harrison, Chief Revenue Officer at NCD. "That's why we built this tool: simple, transparent information from CMS data that helps agents prepare for renewal calls. We believe everyone benefits when plan information is easier to understand." HOW AGENTS CAN USE IT Before a renewal call: look up a client's plan by ID or name and check what changed. When a plan is ending: see how dental compares as clients choose a new plan. For notes and sharing: print the comparison or share a direct link. ABOUT THE DATA The tool covers benefits included at no added premium, using CMS Plan Benefit Package data. It lists dental categories and does not show coverage for individual procedures. Use the zip code or state look-up to find plans available in that area. On dual-eligible plans, a $0 cost share often comes from Medicaid. Member counts are a September 2026 snapshot. INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE Provided by NCD for informational purposes only. NCD is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare, CMS, or any Medicare Advantage organization, and does not offer, sell, or enroll individuals in the Medicare Advantage plans shown. Information is derived from publicly available CMS data (PBP and CPSC files) and is not a substitute for official plan documents. Not for use in making enrollment, disenrollment, or coverage decisions. Verify all benefits, service areas, and networks with the plan or Medicare.gov. Agents should follow their carrier and CMS marketing requirements when using this material with clients. NCD is a leading provider of innovative dental, vision, and supplemental health insurance solutions designed to enhance access to affordable, high-quality care for individuals and families nationwide. The company is recognized for delivering best-in-class customer service, developing forward-thinking benefit designs, and empowering groups, individuals and families to take control of their health. Learn more at www.ncd.com. MEDIA CONTACT Ariana Bacigalupo Associate Director of Executive Services [email protected] SOURCE NCD