WELLESLEY, Mass., Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — DentaQuest, a subsidiary of Sun Life U.S., has been selected to manage dental benefits for California’s Medicaid Dental Managed Care (DMC) program. The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) awarded DentaQuest contracts that will allow Medi-Cal beneficiaries in Sacramento and Los Angeles counties to choose from three dental managed care plans starting in July 2025.
This new initiative will expand the reach of Sun Life U.S. Dental and its affiliates to nearly half a million Californians, as it integrates with existing Medicare Advantage and employer-sponsored dental insurance programs. Currently, there are about one million Medi-Cal beneficiaries enrolled in DMC plans in these two counties. DentaQuest will directly serve a segment of this population and act as a third-party administrator for another DMC plan.
The awarded dental plans aim to promote health equity and improve access to dental care. David Healy, president of Dental at Sun Life U.S., emphasized the importance of culturally competent public health plans in California, which is known for its diversity. He stated, “DentaQuest has decades of experience serving Medicaid members in some of the most culturally diverse states. We are equipped to implement value-based care programs that encourage provider participation.”
Earlier this year, DentaQuest contributed $80,000 to grassroots organizations across California focused on enhancing oral health education and access while addressing social determinants of health.
This funding builds on previous efforts to tackle the health workforce shortage, including support for the Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine’s externship program.
DentaQuest remains committed to improving oral health for all Californians by increasing access to care and supporting the education of future dental providers. Medi-Cal dental providers interested in joining the DentaQuest network can find more information on their website.
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