Why a proprietary dental network matters for Veterans

When you’re looking for dental coverage, the strength and structure of the dental network is important. A dental network for Veterans that’s proprietary (owned and managed directly) can make a difference in the quality of care, your ability to find and keep a trusted dentist and the amount you pay out of pocket.

Delta Dental’s Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) plans use a proprietary network of dentists instead of a leased network. Here’s what that means and how it might benefit you.
 

Proprietary vs. leased networks: What’s the difference?

A proprietary network is a network of dentists that Delta Dental directly contracts with. It allows us to build strong relationships with those providers and hold them to the same high-quality standards.

Our staff provides training to providers and visits dental offices regularly to maintain those standards. It also keeps the provider network stable so you can count on having access to your dentist year after year.

By contrast, a leased network (sometimes called a rented or shared network) is when an insurer leases access to an existing network owned by a third party. That structure often reduces the insurer’s control over provider standards, directory accuracy and billing processes.

Key differences and risks of leased networks include:

• Reduced control over quality standards and how care is delivered
• More frequent turnover, which means your dentist might leave the leased network unexpectedly
• Inaccurate or outdated provider directories, since updates depend on a third party
• Possible delays or confusion with claims because of differing fee schedules and rules

Because we don’t lease our network, you get stable access and predictable cost structure.
 

Benefits of a proprietary dental network for Veterans

Delta Dental’s VADIP plans give you access to a proprietary network designed to help lower costs, improve consistency and make it easier to use your benefits. Because we contract directly with our network dentists, here’s what you can expect:
 

Quality care from dentists you can count on

With a proprietary network, we work directly with the dentists who care for you. That means we can:

• Ensure that you receive the best care possible.
• Maintain strong relationships with providers.
• Act quickly to address any issues if they arise.
   

Every dentist in our network is credentialed to National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) standards, which recognize practices that focus on coordinated, patient-centered care.
 

Nationwide access to care

Delta Dental offers the largest proprietary dental network in the country, with more than 400,000 access points nationwide.

Choosing an in-network dentist helps you get the most from your VADIP plan with:

• Maximum savings. We negotiate directly with dentists in our network to set fair, discounted rates and then pass those savings on to you. Save up to 40% on covered dental procedures if you visit a dentist in our network.¹
• Less hassle. Dentists in our network submit claims for you so you don’t have to deal with paperwork. If you visit a dentist out of network, you might have to pay the entire bill up front and file for reimbursement later.

Make the most of your Veteran dental coverage

Whether you’re ready to enroll or looking to get more from your current plan, we’ll help you take the next step.

• Find a VADIP dentist near you to start saving with in-network care.
• Use your plan benefits and get the most value from your coverage.
• Compare VADIP plans and choose the option that fits your needs.