Covered California: Pediatric Dental Coverage

In 168 days when open enrollment opens for the first time on Covered California (the state's health benefit exchange), California's children will get expanded opportunities for better dental health.  Covered California has contracted with six participating dental insurers to provide stand-alone coverage for children's dental services.  This means that these dental plans (with the exception of Health Net) are priced separately and do not require the additional purchase of a regular health insurance plan. The participating insurers are:

• Anthem Blue Cross of California
• Blue Shield of California
• Delta Dental of California
• Health Net
• LIBERTY Dental Plan of California
• Premier Access Dental and Vision

Depending on where the child lives, children will be eligible to be signed up for PPO, an in-network only PPO, and an HMO dental plan.

1. The Dental Preferred Provider Organization (DPPO) -- a wide variety of provider choice, including coverage for some out-of-network services.
2. The Dental Exclusive Provider Organization (DEPO) -- like DPPO, but without coverage for out-of-network services.
3. The Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) -- limits coverage to dental providers within one's network, and generally requires a referral for a specialist.

The plans offered will provide two types of payment options.  One option requires a higher premium, but lower out-of-pocket costs. The second option offers lower premium rates, but higher than average out-of-pocket costs. Therefore depending upon how much the family anticipates needing dental services for a child, they can choose the actuarial value plan that best fits their particular situation.

For a complete break-down of plan pricing by region, take a look at this report published by Covered California last month.