Delta Dental Insurance

Delta Dental Insurance offers coverage plans to individuals and families. The company also has group benefit plans for companies of all sizes, as well as other organizations, such as unions and schools. Delta customers can choose their dentist from a network of providers to get the best rates for the care they need.

Delta Dental Beginnings

Delta Dental Insurance began more than 50 years ago when dentists realized the need for more accessible oral and dental healthcare. In response to this need, several dentists across California, Oregon, and Washington banded together to form a large service network. In the beginning, benefit programs were created solely for labor unions.

In 1966, Delta Dental Plans Association was formed to provide coverage and coordinate benefits to a wide range of customers in multiple states. Today, the organization operates in all 50 states along with Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, providing coverage to over 40 million people.

Packages Available

Delta Dental Insurance offers several packages with features geared toward specific groups. Companies are able to choose their packages based on the special needs of their employees.

Premier

The Premier package is a network-based plan. Members can get care from any licensed dentist they choose, however, plan members will pay lower rates for services if they visit a dentist who is part of the plan's network of providers. The network is a large one; according to the company, four out of five dentists are members of the Delta Dental plan. Patients are not required to file any paperwork when they make a claim for dental services and billing is done on an agreed-upon schedule with the dental insurance company.

PPO

The Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan available from Delta Insurance offers enrollees the option of getting the best rates for services by visiting a dentist who has chosen to enroll in the provider network. They can also visit Delta Dental Premier dentists, who are members of the largest provider network in the country. Choosing to visit one of these health care providers means plan members can still get better rates for the care they need since pre-negotiated rates apply. Payment is made to dental providers based on geographic region and patients do not have to file any paperwork with this plan option.

DeltaCare USA

DeltaCare USA is a group plan offered to employees. One of its attractive features is that enrollees can receive a number of diagnostic and preventive care services at little or no out-of-pocket costs. Pre-existing conditions and/or missing teeth are not excluded under this plan. Referrals are available to participating dentists and patients can choose or change providers over the phone or online. Patients also have the convenience of not having to deal with filing claim forms for their care.

Community Involvement and Insurance Services

Delta Dental Insurance is a company that cares about the customers within its member network beyond the simple claim filing and form-filling.

The company makes an effort to be seen and heard within communities. One way they accomplish this is through their service programs:

• The Smilemobiles program involves a mobile unit that travels to inner city and rural areas to provide healthcare and education to kids.
• Through the Water Fluoridation program, the company works with towns to educate and support fluoridated water system programs in different states.
• The company's educational website allows visitors to access information relating to oral healthcare. Topics include cancer, orthodontics, surgeries, and cosmetic dentistry. A glossary of healthcare terms is available.

Member Services Online

A "subscriber connection" section on the website provides access to benefits, eligibility, and claims for those covered by Delta Dental Insurance. Members can search for a dentist in their area and can check out other services provided by member companies.

Dentists can access the website to check on their claims, make connections to other dentists, or get informational posters for their offices.

Dental Insurance Costs and Network Plans

For consumers, choosing a dental insurance plan with a network of providers can make good financial sense. The insurer negotiates rates with dentists directly, which means that the plan member knows how much his or her services will cost up front. Since member dentists have access to a large pool of potential patients who have enrolled in the plan, they agree to be paid at a lower rate than if they were providing treatment to an individual patient. The consumer also benefits from this arrangement, since they are dealing with a dentist who has been screened by the insurer and who agrees to a particular service standard as a condition of joining the network.

Depending on the insurance plan selected, members can choose to see a provider outside of the network for dental care. Doing so means the plan member will still be covered, but at a lower rate.

Plan members should review their policy documents carefully so they understand which services are covered under the policy and how much, if anything, they are required to pay out-of-pocket towards their dental care.