How to Keep Your Dentist While Shopping for Dental Insurance

Many people spend hours comparing dental plans, reading brochures, and researching dental benefits only to discover right before enrollment that their dentist doesn't accept the plan they chose.

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If keeping your current dentist is important to you, reverse the process and start with a list of insurance companies your dentist already accepts. It can save time and make the shopping process much simpler.

Step 1: Get a List of Insurance Companies Your Dentist Accepts 

Most dental offices list accepted insurance companies on their website or online profile pages such as Healthgrades. If you can't find the information online, a quick phone call to the office can usually provide a good starting point.

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Once you have a list of insurance companies your dentist commonly accepts, you're ready to start narrowing down your options.

Step 2: Decide What Type of Dental Plan You're Looking For 

Before comparing plans, think about what's important to you.

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Are you primarily looking for:

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• Preventative care and cleanings at a lower monthly cost?

• More comprehensive coverage for major services?

• Coverage for treatments such as root canals, implants, or orthodontics?

• A plan that fits a specific monthly budget?

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Having a clear idea of your priorities makes comparing plans much easier.

Step 3: Review Plan Benefits 

Dental plans can vary significantly in the services they cover.

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Most plans include preventative care and basic services such as fillings, but major services can differ considerably from one plan to another.

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For example:

• One plan may cover implants and orthodontics.

• Another may cover root canals but not implants

• A lower-cost plan may not include major services at all.

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Before enrolling, take a few minutes to review the plan brochure so you understand exactly what is and isn't covered.

Step 4. Verify the Provider Network 

Once you've narrowed your search to one or two plans, use the carrier's online provider search tool to verify that your dentist participates in the exact network associated with that plan.

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This step is important because many insurance companies-especially larger carriers-offer multiple provider networks.

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Your dentist may participate in one network offered by a carrier but not another.

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After finding your dentist in the provider directory, it's always worth making one final phone call to the office with the exact network name before enrolling.

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Provider networks and office relationships can change from time to time and may not always be reflected immediately in an online directory.

Step 5: Consider Working With a Broker 

If you would rather have someone help with the process, a licensed insurance broker can often assist with comparing plans, reviewing provider networks, and answering questions.

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In most cases, brokers are compensated by the insurance company, so there is generally no additional cost to use their services.

Post Enrollment Tip: Save Your Digital ID Card 

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After enrollment, many carriers provide access to a digital member ID card through their website or mobile app.

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Saving your digital ID card allows you to:

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• Schedule appointments sooner

• Access your member ID number

• Have billing and customer service information readily available

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You don't necessarily have to wait for a physical card to arrive in the mail before you use your new coverage.

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Next Step: Use the provider search resources tool linked below to verify your dentist and provider network before making your final decision.