Providence Health Plan has chosen Dominion Dental Services, a for-profit company, to provide dental coverage to its 470,000 members in Oregon and southwest Washington, beating out local competitors. Those enrollment figures do not include people on the Oregon Health Plan. .
“Dominion Dental was chosen following a thorough RFP process for their extensive provider network, efficient claims integration and superior customer service,” according to Olivia Ramos, marketing and communication manager at Providence. “Access to dental coverage is new for Providence Health Plan.”
Although the bidding process was not disclosed, it’s probably fair to assume that at least several of the Oregon-based dental organizations tried to gain the contract, including Willamette Dental and Capital Dental Care.
Providence Health Plan now offers essential health benefit pediatric dental coverage for children under age 19 on most individual and family plans and small group employer plans. Dental benefits for other plans and market segments are also in development.
A large majority of its members do live in Oregon and southwest Washington, but there are people living out-of-state who will benefit from this new service, Ramos said. For example, an employer that has field offices and employees in other states or a family who lives in Oregon, but their covered dependents attend college in another state. “It’s proven that good oral health is a vital part of a person’s total health picture,” according to a press release issued by Barbara Christensen, chief sales and marketing officer, Providence Health Plan, before she retired. “With dental benefits, Providence Health Plan can now provide a total health picture from head-to-toe.” Comprehensive dental benefits, from exams and cleanings to oral surgery, crowns and root canals will be available to members, who will have access to an extensive provider network that includes nearly 3,000 dentist listings in Oregon and southwest Washington. “We are honored to be administering dental benefits for one of the largest health insurers in Oregon,” said Dominion President Mike Davis. “Providence Health Plan has a reputation for providing best-in-class plans and services to its community and we believe this partnership will add valuable dental benefits and a world-class service experience that Providence Health Plan members have come to expect.”
Headquartered in Alexandria, VA., Dominion has 600,000 customers primarily in the Mid-Atlantic states and administers vision and dental benefits. This could be the company’s first entry into the Oregon marketplace. In the past six months, its experienced a 10 percent growth rate, according to its website.
Diane can be reached at [email protected].
