Insurance UpDate — Fall 2023

Our Participation With Delta Dental Plans

We’d like to inform you about an important change regarding our participation in the Delta Dental insurance network. After careful consideration, we’ve made the decision to discontinue our participation as a PPO provider with Delta Dental plans. Effective October 1, 2023 all of our doctors will transition to participate in the Delta Dental network as Premier providers.

What does this mean for me?

First off—you don’t need to find a new dentist. If you have a Delta Dental PPO plan, you can continue to visit Dental Care Seattle. You’ll still be able to utilize your insurance coverage at our practice as you always have. There will, however, be a slight increase in your out-of-pocket expenses. The high standard of care that you’ve come to expect at our office won’t change.

Why are you making this change now?

Reimbursements (the amount our office receives from your insurance provider when billed) have not only failed to keep up with inflation but have declined this year with changes to the way dental services are coded. This has given Delta Dental an opportunity to set lower fees for core services. We pride ourselves on top-quality care, and refuse to reduce the quality of our service to you, use inferior materials, or rush through procedures to make up the difference.

Will it cost me more?

You may see changes in your coverage and out-of-pocket expenses. We’ve put together a helpful estimate table below that shows a sample of how this change could affect you—but every employer and plan is different. We recommend reaching out to your insurance provider or employer directly and asking about any potential changes in your coverage, as well as confirming the benefits you’re currently eligible for. Many Delta Dental PPO plans come with access to the Premier network, but you should always check your coverage to be sure. Some plans allow you to see PPO or Premier dentists, but it varies by plan and employer.

As always—our top priority is providing you with the best possible dental care for life. Rest assured this decision was not taken lightly and was based on careful evaluation of our current operations, including rising administrative costs and the significant reduction in reimbursement rates from Delta Dental.

Thank you for trusting our locally-owned office with your care over the years. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate these decisions, and look forward to continuing to provide you with the best quality dental care for many more years to come.

Dr. Mike Mulick & Dr. Nick Radandt
Owners, Dental Care Seattle

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What could my new out-of-pocket expenses look like?

  • This is a sample based on available information and is not representative of your exact Delta Dental plan. Actual reimbursement rates will vary and depend on your plan and the negotiated terms your employer or plan has established with Delta Dental. We recommend you contact Delta Dental to verify your actual reimbursement amounts for the codes above.

  • No. We will continue to accept Assignment of Benefit with your provider like we always have. This means they will keep sending payment directly to us. You do not need to pay us and then wait for the check. Depending on your plan and employer, a small number of insurance companies will only send payments directly to patients for out-of-network providers, so be sure to check your plan information.

  • We understand that not everyone may be able to or want to pay for the difference in costs of their service. We respect your decision, and thank you for trusting us with your care for as long as you’ve been a valued patient. Our front office will be available to transfer your records to a new dentist of your choice.

  • Great question! You’ll need to reach out to your HR representative at your employer and ask about other options. Feel free to give us a call with those options and we can help you decide.

  • You can contact our friendly front office team by phone, email, or text message any time at (206) 325-0166 for more information and guidance.

We're here to help

If you have any questions about this transition or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out to our friendly front office team via email, phone, or text.