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Patient Sign-Up FAQs

This page is designed to guide patients through filling out the sign-up form. Please refer below for frequently asked questions.

What best describes your dental plan?

For the BEST way to verify what type of plan you have, please refer to your insurance card. 

Dental Plan Types Explained

 

  • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

    • A PPO plan lets you see any dentist, but you pay less if you use dentists in the plan’s network. You usually don’t need a referral to see a specialist, making it flexible for your dental care needs.

  • DHMO / DMO (Dental HMO)

    • A DHMO or DMO plan requires you to choose a primary dentist in the network. Most services are covered at little or no cost, but you must stay in-network and may need referrals for specialists.

  • Indemnity / Fee-for-Service Plan

    • With an indemnity plan, you can see any dentist, and the plan reimburses a portion of the costs. You typically pay upfront and file a claim to get reimbursed.

  • Medicaid / State Dental Insurance

    • State dental programs, like Medicaid, provide dental coverage for eligible individuals and families. Covered services and costs vary by state.

  • Military Dental (TRICARE)

    • TRICARE covers eligible military members and their families. Coverage depends on the specific TRICARE plan, and services are often provided through military dental clinics or contracted dentists.

  • Medicare Advantage Dental

    • Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental benefits. Coverage varies, and typically covers preventive care like cleanings, with optional coverage for more extensive treatments.

  • Dental Discount / Savings Plan

    • These are not insurance but membership programs that give you discounts on dental services at participating dentists. You pay the dentist directly at the discounted rate.

  • Not Sure

    • If you’re unsure of your dental plan type, check your insurance card, call your dental insurer, or contact your HR/benefits department for clarification.

This is a guide for how most insurance plans operate. Refer to this list for how to best choose your insurance description. This is a general guide for insurances and may not specifically relate to your plan. For confirmation of your plan details, please contact your insurance provider or refer to your insurance card.

Aetna Dental

  • Many Aetna plans allow you to see many dentists but cost less if you stay in-network.

  • Some Aetna plans require choosing a dentist from a smaller network.

  • Aetna may also offer traditional fee-for-service plans.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • DHMO / DMO (Dental HMO)

    • Indemnity / Fee-for-Service Plan

    • Medicare Advantage Dental

    • Dental Discount / Savings Plan

    • Not Sure

Ameritas

  • Ameritas usually offers plans where you can visit many dentists but pay less when staying in-network.

  • Some employer plans allow you to visit any dentist and reimburse a portion of the cost.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • Indemnity / Fee-for-Service Plan

    • Medicare Advantage Dental

    • Not Sure

Blue Plus Dental (Blue Cross Blue Shield MN)

  • Many Blue Cross Blue Shield dental plans allow you to visit many dentists but give lower costs when you stay in-network.

  • Some plans may require a smaller network of dentists.

  • They may also include dental coverage within Medicare Advantage plans.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • DHMO / DMO (Dental HMO)

    • Indemnity / Fee-for-Service Plan

    • Medicare Advantage Dental

    • Not Sure

Careington

  • Careington is usually not traditional insurance. Instead, it provides discounted prices at participating dentists.

  • People should choose:

    • Dental Discount / Savings Plan

Cigna Dental

  • Many Cigna plans allow you to see multiple dentists but cost less when staying in-network.

  • Some Cigna plans require selecting a dentist from a specific list.

  • Cigna also offers some discount-style dental memberships.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • DHMO / DMO (Dental HMO)

    • Indemnity / Fee-for-Service Plan

    • Medicare Advantage Dental

    • Dental Discount / Savings Plan

    • Not Sure

Delta Dental

  • Most Delta Dental plans allow you to see many dentists but cost less if they are in-network.

  • Some employer plans allow visits to any dentist but reimburse a set amount.

  • Delta Dental also administers some state dental programs.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • Indemnity / Fee-for-Service Plan

    • Medicaid / State Dental Insurance

    • Medicare Advantage Dental

    • Not Sure

DentaQuest

  • DentaQuest commonly manages dental coverage for state health programs.

  • Patients usually must visit dentists who accept the state program.

  • Most people should choose:

    • Medicaid / State Dental Insurance

  • Other possible options:

    • Medicare Advantage Dental

    • Not Sure

Guardian Dental

  • Guardian plans often allow you to see many dentists but provide better pricing in-network.

  • Some plans may reimburse visits to any dentist.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • Indemnity / Fee-for-Service Plan

    • Medicare Advantage Dental

    • Not Sure

HealthPartners

  • Many HealthPartners dental plans allow visits to multiple dentists but offer lower costs in-network.

  • Some plans require using a specific dental network.

  • HealthPartners also participates in state programs.

  • Most people should choose:

    • ​PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • DHMO / DMO (Dental HMO)

    • Medicaid / State Dental Insurance

    • Medicare Advantage Dental

    • Not Sure

Humana Dental

  • Many Humana plans allow you to see multiple dentists and pay less in-network.

  • Some plans require choosing a dentist from a specific network.

  • Humana also offers dental discount programs.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • DHMO / DMO (Dental HMO)

    • Medicare Advantage Dental

    • Dental Discount / Savings Plan

    • Not Sure

Lincoln Financial

  • Lincoln dental plans are usually employer plans where you can see many dentists but pay less in-network.

  • Some plans reimburse visits to any dentist.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • Indemnity / Fee-for-Service Plan

    • Not Sure

Medica Dental

  • Medica offers dental coverage through employer plans, Medicare plans, and state programs.

  • Many plans allow multiple dentists but offer better pricing in-network.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • Medicaid / State Dental Insurance

    • Medicare Advantage Dental

    • Not Sure

Medical Assistance (MA)

  • Medical Assistance is Minnesota’s Medicaid program and requires dentists who accept state insurance.

  • People should choose:

    • Medicaid / State Dental Insurance

MetLife Dental

  • MetLife dental plans usually allow you to see many dentists but provide lower costs in-network.

  • Some plans reimburse visits to any dentist.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • Indemnity / Fee-for-Service Plan

    • Medicare Advantage Dental

    • Not Sure

MinnesotaCare Dental

  • MinnesotaCare is a Minnesota state health program that includes dental coverage through participating dentists.

  • Most people should choose:

    • Medicaid / State Dental Insurance

Principal Dental

  • Principal dental plans are typically employer plans that allow multiple dentists but cost less in-network.

  • Some plans allow reimbursement for out-of-network dentists.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • Indemnity / Fee-for-Service Plan

    • Not Sure

Reliance Standard

  • Reliance Standard dental plans are typically employer PPO plans but may reimburse visits to any dentist.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • Indemnity / Fee-for-Service Plan

    • Not Sure

Sun Life Dental

  • Sun Life dental plans usually allow patients to see multiple dentists but cost less in-network.

  • Some employer plans reimburse visits to any dentist.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • Indemnity / Fee-for-Service Plan

    • Not Sure

TRICARE

  • TRICARE dental coverage is provided to military members and their families through a military network of dentists.

  • People should choose:

    • Military Dental (TRICARE)

UCare Dental

  • UCare offers dental coverage through Minnesota state programs and Medicare plans.

  • Patients usually must visit dentists participating in those programs.

  • Most people should choose:

    • Medicaid / State Dental Insurance

  • Other possible options:

    • Medicare Advantage Dental

    • Not Sure

United Concordia

  • United Concordia provides dental plans for employers and also administers military dental coverage.

  • Many plans allow multiple dentists but cost less in-network.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • Military Dental (TRICARE)

    • Indemnity / Fee-for-Service Plan

    • Not Sure

UnitedHealthcare Dental

  • Many UnitedHealthcare dental plans allow you to see multiple dentists but cost less when staying in-network.

  • Some plans may require choosing a dentist from a smaller network.

  • UnitedHealthcare also offers Medicare Advantage plans.

  • Most people should choose:

    • PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

  • Other possible options:

    • DHMO / DMO (Dental HMO)

    • Medicare Advantage Dental

    • Dental Discount / Savings Plan

    • Not Sure

Other

  • Some insurance companies offer more than one type of dental plan.

  • Choose the option that best describes how your plan works, or select I’m not sure and the dental offices can help verify it.

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