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About Medi-Cal managed care dental plans
No cost to you and no co-payment
- Medi-Cal wants you and your family to be healthy and satisfied with your dental care.
- Medi-Cal managed care dental plans have their own dentists and specialists.
- You can choose the dentist for your dental care needs.
- Your dental plan will refer you to a specialist if your dentist determines that you need one.
- There is no charge for specialty dentists when your dentist refers you.
Emergencies
- Call your dentist or your dental plan's 24-hour toll-free phone number. The dental plan or dentist will see that you get immediate care, or will make an appointment if it is not an emergency.
Dental second opinions
- You can request that another dentist or specialist see you before you make decisions about your dentist's plan for your dental care or surgery.
- You do not have to ask managed care dentists if they take Medi-Cal patients.
How to choose a dental plan
- Think about what is important to you when you get dental care.
- Talk to your family, friends and dentist.
- To help you decide, go to the Compare medical plans and dental plans page.
- Also look at the provider directories on the Health plan materials page.
Here are some things to think about before you make your choice:
Dentist
- Am I happy with the dentist I have right now?
- Does my dentist belong to a dental plan?
- Which dental plan?
- Do I have to wait long to get an appointment?
- Is my dentist’s office open when I can go?
- Does the dentist have experience with my child's or my dental problem?
Language
- Does the dentist speak my language or provide interpreters who do?
Location
- Is the dentist’s office nearby?
- Is it easy to get to?
- Does the dental plan or dentist provide transportation?
How to join a dental plan
- You must be eligible for Medi-Cal to join a dental plan.
- To join a dental plan, call Health Care Options at 1-800-430-4263. Or you can complete a Medi-Cal Dental Choice Form. You can find the form on the Download forms page.
- You can use your Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card (BIC) for services through Regular Medi-Cal (Fee-For-Service) until you are a dental plan member.
- Health Care Options will send you a letter telling you that the dental plan change has taken place.
- Your dental plan will send you information about its services and a dental plan member card.
- Take your dental plan member card and BIC card with you when you visit your dentist.
How to change a dental plan
- You must be eligible for Medi-Cal to join a dental plan.
- If you are not happy with your dental plan, you can choose another dental plan or return to Regular Medi-Cal (Fee-For-Service) if you live in Los Angeles County. If you live in Sacramento County, you may be required to be enrolled in a dental plan but you may change dental plans at any time.
- To change your dental plan, call Health Care Options at 1-800-430-4263 (TTY 1-800-430-7077) Or you can complete a Medi-Cal Dental Choice form. You can find the form on the Download forms page.
- Call Medi-Cal Dental at 1-800-322-6384 to find a dentist who takes Medi-Cal.
- Mail the completed choice form.
- Health Care Options will send you a letter telling you that the dental plan change has taken place.
- You must see your present dentist until you get the letter from Health Care Options.
Working with your dental plan
- Know how to use your dental plan as soon as you become a member.
- Read all the information your dental plan sends you.
- Call your dental plan's member services department and ask any questions you have about your dental plan. Member services staff will be glad to help you.
Change your dentist
- If you would like to change your dentist, you can call the dental plan's member services department and choose a different dentist. You must be eligible for Medi-Cal to join a dental plan.
