It all depends on the plan you have.

• Do you have a Dental HMO (DHMO) plan? Most members do—exceptions: if you added the optional PPO plan, or you belong to SCAN MyChoice (HMO). Dental HMO members need to choose a dentist from the DeltaCare USA network.
• Are you a member of SCAN MyChoice or did you add the optional Dental PPO plan? You can choose a dentist from the Delta Dental PPO network and take advantage of pre-set copays and unlimited covered services. See the question below for more information, including using out-of-network dentists.

With the optional PPO dental plan, you have choices.

When you use dentists in the Delta PPO network:

• You’ll receive services at pre-set copays.
• There is no annual limit to the number of dental services received within network.

You can also choose to see ANY licensed dentist. But there are a few important things to remember:

• If you use a dentist who is not in Delta’s PPO network, know that their fees may be higher because they have not agreed to the in-network fees.
• There is an annual limit and shared costs for services when seeing out-of-network dentists.

The PPO dental option is available in some SCAN plans, but not all of them. You can only choose a PPO dental plan if the benefit is offered in your Evidence of Coverage.

Quickly find all your plan information in your SCAN online member account.

First, check your Evidence of Coverage for the supplemental dental benefit options available in your SCAN plan.

Once you’re ready to enroll in a dental plan, you will need to complete and submit a Delta Dental enrollment form. You can contact SCAN Member Services for a copy of the enrollment form.

• If you’re new to SCAN, you can enroll in Delta Dental at the same time you signed up with SCAN or within two calendar months of the day your SCAN coverage starts.
• If you’re already a SCAN member and not currently enrolled in a supplemental dental plan, you can enroll in a Delta Dental plan from October 15 to December 31.

After SCAN receives your completed dental enrollment form, your dental coverage will usually start on the first of the following month. For example, if we receive your completed dental enrollment form on February 15, you can start using your supplemental dental benefits on March 1.

You can find a new dentist in the Delta Dental network by using the “Find a Dentist” search tool on the Delta Dental website. You can use the tool to search by distance, location, dentist name, practice name or keyword.

If it’s easier, you can call Delta Dental Customer Service at 1-855-830-6583 (TTY: 711) for help finding a dentist in their network.

Once you’ve selected a new dentist—or if you need help finding one—call Delta Dental Customer Service at 1-855-830-6583 (TTY: 711) to make your new dentist official.

Remember, you can choose a different dentist at any time.

There are three ways to find out if your dentist is in the Delta Dental network:

1. Use the “Find a Dentist” tool on the Delta Dental website to search for your dentist’s name.
2. Ask your dentist’s office staff if they are part of Delta Dental’s “DeltaCare USA” plan.
3. Call Delta Dental Customer Service at 1-855-830-6583 (TTY: 711).

If you’re new to Delta Dental, you will receive a welcome letter along with your ID card. For HMO dental plans, the letter will let you know the name of your assigned dentist. Please make sure the name on the letter is correct. If not, please call Delta Dental Customer Service right away and let them know.

If you’re an existing Delta Dental member, you’ll get a new card if your dentist changes. Otherwise, you won’t get a new card unless you ask for another one.

If you would like a copy of your ID card, you can:

• Log into your Delta Dental online account. Through your online account, you can view a printable copy of your ID card 24/7. (If you haven’t registered for your Delta Dental online account, click here and follow the instructions to sign up.)
• Call Delta Dental Customer Service at 1-855-830-6583 (TTY: 711). They will be happy to send you a new card by mail.

Your Delta Dental benefit booklet lists all the services covered by your plan by code, description and copayment. You can find your Delta Dental benefit booklet here.

If you have questions about your Delta Dental benefit booklet, please call Delta Dental Customer Service at 1-855-830-6583 (TTY: 711).

Your first visit should be an evaluation appointment. This is so you can meet the dentist and the office staff to make sure you feel comfortable with them.

During this first appointment, you can expect the dentist to:

• Do a thorough dental exam. This may include x-rays and/or a routine cleaning.
• Review a recommended treatment plan with you. The treatment plan should include all the services your dentist thinks are best for you, along with their codes and costs.

In your treatment plan, your dentist may recommend procedures that aren’t covered as part of your Delta Dental benefits. If you’re concerned about the cost, ask your dentist to list the procedures in order of importance. That way, you can better understand and plan for your expenses.

Once you’ve considered the treatment plan from your dentist, you can decide whether to schedule a follow-up appointment for any of the recommended care. Remember, you have the right to refuse any procedure for any reason, whether it’s included in your Delta Dental benefits or not.

Want step-by-step support for your first visit? The First Appointment Checklist has useful tips to help you get the most out of your visit and your dental benefits. Print it out or view it online.

It’s important that you feel comfortable with the care you receive. You have several options if you’re concerned about the cost of a recommended procedure or whether it’s necessary:

1. Ask your dentist if there’s a less expensive procedure option available.
2. Ask for a second opinion. Call Delta Dental at 1-855-830-6583 (TTY: 711) to ask if they will approve a second opinion.
3. You always have the right to refuse any procedure for any reason, whether it’s included in your Delta Dental benefits or not.
4. If you don’t agree with the treatment plan or the cost, don’t get treatment and don’t sign an agreement. Otherwise, you may be responsible for the cost. Instead, have your treatment plan handy and call Delta Dental.

Your teeth might look and feel fine but there could be hidden problems that need attention. Catching problems early, before they can become bigger issues, can help you avoid unnecessary pain and expense.

Outside of daily care, the best way to avoid more expensive and painful dental problems is to see your dentist regularly.

If you don’t pay your supplemental dental premium, you may be disenrolled from your dental plan as well as your SCAN medical benefit. If this happens, you will be returned to Original Medicare and may not be able to re-enroll with SCAN until the next annual enrollment period.

We will notify you by mail before we disenroll you, so you have time to make any owed payment.

If you need to stop your supplemental dental plan, it’s important that you continue to pay your supplemental dental premiums until you are officially disenrolled from the dental benefit. Please call SCAN Member Services as soon as you decide to end your dental plan.

You may enroll in the dental benefit again during the next Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 31 each year.