Regular dental visits are not just important for your smile but also for your overall health. A growing body of research shows that poor oral health may increase the likelihood of developing certain chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. Quality dental care may reduce these risks and improve overall health and wellness.
To help address these issues, UnitedHealthcare and Virginia Family Dentistry have launched an innovative new relationship focused on delivering value for dental patients in the Richmond metropolitan area. The relationship is designed to help close gaps in care while providing enhanced benefits and a simplified patient experience.
The new agreement features a streamlined approval process that eliminates the possibility of billing surprises for patients. As a leader in dental best practices and clinical outcomes, Virginia Family Dentistry’s providers will receive real-time approvals for restorative care like dental implants, enabling their patients to have a clear understanding of their out-of-pocket costs before the procedure.
In Virginia, nearly 30 percent of adults in 2018 reported that they had not visited a dentist in the last year, and the cost of care was the most common reason reported. Eligible UnitedHealthcare members who choose Virginia Family Dentistry can get the dental care they need for lower out-of-pocket costs while also taking advantage of enhanced benefits for specialty services like orthodontic care.
“Our new relationship with UnitedHealthcare will help us to continue to build a seamless experience for our patients in metro-Richmond and throughout central Virginia,” said Dr. Neil Turnage, DDS, a general dentist with Virginia Family Dentistry. “The combination of UnitedHealthcare’s scale and expertise along with Virginia Family Dentistry’s integrated service model will help to improve the health of the communities we serve.”
Virginia Family Dentistry is a full-suite dental practice and a proven leader in oral health care best practices and clinical outcomes, with 15 locations and more than 60 dentists in metro-Richmond. The practice includes a wide range of oral health specialists such as orthodontists and pediatric dentists.
This integrated approach to oral health enables patients to get the care they need in one place, ultimately improving coordination across dental specialties and care settings. This in turn may lead to a better experience for UnitedHealthcare members.
“UnitedHealthcare’s unique relationship with Virginia Family Dentistry reflects our shared commitment to enhancing the patient experience in Virginia through a focus on value for patients,” said Joe Ochipinti, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic. “Employers in Virginia that offer employees the quality dental coverage available through our work with Virginia Family Dentistry are maximizing their company's health care dollars and providing families added peace of mind.”
The new agreement is one way UnitedHealthcare is working to improve health outcomes through deeper collaboration with care providers and innovations that provide a more seamless health care experience for eligible members.