Helping dental offices keep Medicare Advantage patients in care.
In Southern California, many Medicare Advantage (MA) plans include dental benefits. When a practice is in-network with the right dental administrators, seniors can confidently schedule treatment and use their benefits—without confusion or delays.
Why this matters for dental offices
Southern California • Medicare Advantage dentalMedicare Advantage plans often include dental
Many MA plans bundle preventive and comprehensive dental benefits. Seniors want to use what they already have— especially when budgets are tight.
- Patients search for offices that accept their plan’s dental network.
- In-network status reduces “I can’t afford it” objections.
- It improves the patient experience and keeps schedules stable.
Out-of-network creates friction
When a patient’s plan isn’t accepted, they often delay care or go elsewhere—sometimes even if they like your team.
- More cancellations when coverage is unclear
- More phone time for your staff
- Lower retention of seniors who want predictable costs
The financial upside (in plain terms)
What changes when your office is in-networkMore appointments that actually stay on the schedule
When seniors can use their MA dental benefits at your office, they’re more likely to book—and keep—visits.
- Higher keep-rate on preventive visits (hygiene/cleanings/exams)
- More follow-through on needed restorative work
- Less “I’ll call you back after I figure out my plan” delays
Less wasted admin time
The goal is not contracting with “everything.” The goal is contracting with the right administrators that show up most often in your patient base.
- Fewer long calls trying to identify who administers dental for a specific MA plan
- Clearer benefit verification and patient expectations
- Fewer reschedules caused by “surprise” cost sharing
How contracting typically works
What your office does • step-by-stepConfirm which dental network administers benefits for the MA plans your patients carry most often (usually listed on the member ID card or plan materials).
Submit the network participation application and required credentialing documents (TIN, NPI(s), W-9, licenses, locations, etc.). Timelines vary by network.
Set a consistent process for eligibility checks, benefit verification, and patient cost expectations so fewer visits fall off the schedule.
Want a simple referral loop for your Medicare patients?
So your team can stay focused on dentistryIf your Medicare patients ask plan questions, we can help them understand their options and (when possible) choose coverage that fits their needs. This reduces confusion at the front desk and helps patients move forward with care.
Resources: Dental network contracting contacts
Start here to contract directly| Network / Administrator | Common use (MA context) | Contact / How to start | What to have ready |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIBERTY Dental Plan | Often used as the dental administrator for various MA plans (varies by plan/county). |
Provider contact form
Email
|
TIN, NPI(s), locations, licenses, W-9, credentialing docs (as requested). |
| California Dental Network A DentaQuest company |
Dental managed-care network used by various plans; strong CA presence. |
Email
Phone
(877) 433-6825
|
Network application packet + credentialing checklist items. |
| UnitedHealthcare Dental | Some MA dental benefits route through UHC dental networks (depends on member/plan). |
Join network
Provider Services
(800) 822-5353
|
Office details, provider list, credentialing documents. |
| Humana Dental | Humana MA members may use Humana dental networks; verify by member materials. |
Email
Join network
|
TIN, NPI(s), locations, W-9, licenses, credentialing docs. |
| Aetna Dental | Aetna MA dental may use Aetna networks; verify via card/plan materials. |
National Medicare Dentist Line
(800) 624-0756
Dentist Contracting Hotline (PPO)
(800) 776-0537
Contact page
|
Practice profile, NPIs, specialty, licensing, W-9, credentialing docs. |
| Cigna Dental | Some MA-related dental arrangements may route through Cigna dental networks. |
Provider Services
(800) 882-4462
Email
|
Provider/group identifiers, office locations, contracting/credentialing request details. |
| Delta Dental | Some MA dental benefits are administered through Delta programs; confirm by plan. |
Provider Concierge
MA admin
|
Practice identifiers, provider list, credentialing details; ask which MA program applies. |
| Anthem Blue Cross (CA) | Provider contact hub; dental admin varies by plan/product. |
Contact hub
|
Plan/product details + your identifiers + request specifics. |
| Blue Shield of California | Provider contact hub; dental admin varies by plan/product. |
Provider contact
|
Plan/product details + your identifiers + request specifics. |
| Health Net | Provider contact hub; dental admin varies by plan/county. |
Provider contact
|
Member plan info (if applicable), your identifiers, contracting request details. |
Front desk cheat-sheet
- Ask for the member ID card (front + back). The dental administrator is often listed there.
- Verify: eligibility, effective date, network, annual max/allowance, limitations/exclusions.
- Set expectations: “We’ll confirm benefits and your estimated portion before treatment.”
- If out-of-network: present options (self-pay estimate, alternate scheduling, or redirect to the plan’s in-network directory).
Where a Medicare agent helps (without being in the middle)
- Answer patient plan questions so your staff isn’t stuck explaining Medicare/MA rules.
- Help patients compare plans when they want coverage that works with their providers.
- Reduce confusion that leads to cancellations and delayed treatment.
- Support seniors year-round (not just enrollment season).