TennCare Awards Dental Benefits Manager Contract to DentaQuest

Bureau and new benefits manager expect smooth transition for members

NASHVILLE – The Bureau of TennCare has selected DentaQuest USA Insurance Company as the new Dental Benefits Manager (DBM) for the state Medicaid program. The three-year contract was awarded on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, signaling the start of a five-month readiness period. The transition from TennDent, TennCare’s current DBM, to DentaQuest will take effect October 1, 2013.

The TennCare DBM is responsible for administering dental benefits to more than 750,000 children on TennCare. The DBM must also provide an adequate network of dentists that will provide quality, cost-effective care which includes member outreach services.

“We look forward to working with DentaQuest as our new Dental Benefits Manger to continue providing excellent dental services to our members,” said Health Care Finance and Administration Deputy Commissioner Darin Gordon. “We are confident this will be a smooth transition for our providers and members.”

DentaQuest was selected through a competitive bid process. The contract with DentaQuest is a three-year risk-bearing contract with two one-year extension options.

DentaQuest is the largest Medicaid dental benefits administrator in the United States providing dental services at a lower cost to more than 16 million recipients in 26 states on behalf of ten state agencies and more than 70 health plans, prior to being awarded this contract.

TennCare is the state’s Medicaid program that provides health care for 1.2 million Tennesseans.