Employees' Q&A
How do I know if my Securian Dental plan is an indemnity or PPO plan?
Securian Dental offers two types of plans: indemnity plans and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans. Indemnity plans offer you the freedom to visit any dentist in the United States with no effect on coverage.
On the other hand, PPO plans offer you maximum benefits when you visit a dentist in our broad dentist network. (You can visit any dentist with our PPO plans, but you may receive reduced benefits and increased out-of-pocket costs if you visit a non-network dentist.) Plan members receive an identification card that they should show their dentist at each visit. The ID card for the PPO plan lists the network name DenteMax in all Securian Dental states but Maine. PPO plan subscribers in Maine receive strongest benefits by visiting dentists in the Encompass Network.
Is there a network of dentists to choose from?
Our indemnity plans offer you the freedom to visit any dentist in the United States. Although you can also visit any dentist with our Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, you may receive increased benefits and lower out-of-pocket costs by visiting a dentist in our broad network through DenteMax, a national, fully-credentialed PPO network. PPO plan subscribers in Maine receive strongest benefits by visiting dentists in the Encompass Network. Use our Dentist Search to find a dentist.
What if I need emergency care while traveling outside the United States?
Securian Dental automatically includes international emergency coverage. Members may receive emergency dental treatment from a credentialed dentist when they work or travel abroad. This service is available in 137 countries spanning Europe, Africa, South America and Asia. English-speaking customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help members arrange emergency care.
Why is it important that plan members bring their ID card when they get care?
It is important that plan members show their ID cards, which they receive when they initially enroll in the dental program, at each dental visit so that a proper claim can be filed for dental services.
Who do I call with questions about my dental benefits?
Please call Securian Dental's Customer Service at 1-800-234-9009 if you need assistance.
What if someone in my family has another dental insurance plan?
When someone has additional dental coverage, one plan is usually primary. This means that your dentist sends the claim for service to the primary insurance plan and may also submit it to a secondary plan. Securian Dental will coordinate benefits if a subscriber has coverage under more than one dental plan.
How does the Calendar Year Maximum work?
A calendar year refers to a period of Jan. 1 - Dec. 31. Your deductible and coverage maximum start fresh each January 1. These totals are not pro-rated: The full deductible and coverage maximum apply, no matter your start date.
How do I know which dentist to select?
Get recommendations from friends, neighbors, coworkers and family subscribers to find a dentist who matches your needs and values. A convenient location and clinic hours, possibly including Saturday and evening hours, may also be important considerations for you.
What is a dental plan meant to cover?
Securian Dental plans emphasize preventive care and are designed to meet general dental care needs. Talk to your dentist to determine your specific oral health needs and if treatment is required.
Can dentists in the PPO network balance bill?
No, when you visit a network dentist, you will not be billed for the difference between their actual charge and what the plan allows.
Should I submit my own claims?
Your dentist may submit your claims if you are enrolled in an indemnity plan, otherwise it is your responsibility to submit your own claims. You do not have to handle claims paperwork if you are enrolled in the PPO plan, as long as you visit a network dentist. Network dentists bill us, and we pay them directly. If you choose a non-network dentist, you may need to submit your own claims.
For the ConsumerOptions plan, why should I visit an enhanced value dental practice?
With ConsumerOptions (only available in North Carolina), you have the freedom to see any dentist in the nation, but visiting an enhanced value dental practice can save you significant cost. Based on several years of claims data, we have identified dentists whose individualized treatment planning and choices naturally result in long term cost-effectiveness for their patients. They are not necessarily the dentists who charge the lowest fees. Over time it is likely that most patients who choose one of those dental practices will receive a higher benefit level for dental care.
