Dental Networks

2021 and 2022 Plan Year Information

Dental Plan Coverage Options

You have three dental options to choose from:

  • MetLife Option A
  • Delta Dental
  • MetLife Option B

MetLife Option A and Delta Dental offer similar services, with different providers in each administrator’s network. Additionally, Delta Dental offers greater discounts through select out-of-network providers.

International employees: Certain U.S. benefits-eligible international employees and U.S. expatriates are eligible to enroll in the Cigna Global Health Dental Plan.

Delta Dental and MetLife Option AMetLife Option B
Comparing the Three National Dental Options

Each option covers preventive, diagnostic, basic and major treatments.

Paycheck Contributions

Highest

Lowest

Coverage

Highest

Lowest

Orthodontics Covered

Child (up to age 26) and adult

Child only (up to age 19)

MetLife Preferred Provider (PDP) Network

Metlife’s nationwide network features more than 317,000 dentists, and all PDP dentists must meet MetLife’s standards for licensing, education, practice history and emergency coverage.

When you receive services from a PDP dentist, you do not need to meet an annual deductible, your out-of-pocket expenses are reduced to pre-negotiated rates and your annual benefit maximum is greater than if you use a non-PDP dentist.

Delta Dental PPO Network

With Delta Dental, you have the option of seeing in-network providers, Premier Network providers and out-of-network providers:

  • Delta Dental PPO In-Network Providers: You may obtain services from any of Delta Dental’s 283,600 PPO network provider locations nationwide. With a PPO provider, the cost of services has been negotiated and is generally the lowest.
  • Delta Dental Premier Network Providers: You may obtain services from the Delta Dental Premier network of approximately 359,000 providers. Those participating in the Premier network have contracted their service fees directly with Delta Dental and may be lower than out-of-network providers.
  • Out-of-Network: You may obtain services from any out-of-network provider of your choice, but the cost will generally be the highest.

In-Network vs. Out-of-Network

Dental networks differ according to Dental Plan administrator. Under the MetLife Options A and B, in-network includes any providers in the PDP network. Under Delta Dental, in-network includes any providers in the PPO network.

Out-of-network includes non-PDP or non-PPO services, depending on your administrator. Out-of-network reimbursements and maximums are based on reasonable and customary (R&C) charges as determined by each Dental Plan administrator. Please refer to the Health Benefits and Insurance Summary Plan Description for details.

Under Delta Dental, your out-of-network costs may be less than MetLife Options A and B if you use a Delta Dental PPO Premier network provider.