Department of Health Care Services Notifies Medi-Cal Community Dental Enrollees of Transfer to Liberty Dental
05/25/2012
Sacramento - California officials announced today that Community Dental Services (CDS), a managed care dental plan with approximately 16,000 Medi-Cal and 4,000 commercial members, will cease operations and transfer its enrollees to Liberty Dental Plan (Liberty) effective June 1, 2012.
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), CDS, and Liberty mailed notices to enrollees today, informing them of the transfer, with assurance that they may keep their existing dentist, or, if they prefer, choose a new dentist within Liberty’s much larger network. With Liberty Dental and CDS’ provider networks matching nearly 100 percent, enrollees should not experience disruption in services.
“We are taking quick action to ensure that our Medi-Cal dental managed care enrollees receive quality, timely services from our dental plans,” said DHCS Director Toby Douglas. “This transfer is a positive step for our beneficiaries.”
Since 2007, the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) has conducted multiple non-routine surveys and audits of CDS. During the most recent survey, launched in response to access issues raised recently at CDS and other Sacramento County dental managed care plans, CDS informed DMHC of its intent to cease operations.
“We want to ensure that consumers have access to appropriate, quality dental care,” said Brent Barnhart, Director of the Department of Managed Health Care. “This transition allows enrollees to immediately move into a plan that will better meet their needs.”
The majority of CDS enrollees receive coverage through the Medi-Cal program in Sacramento and Los Angeles Counties. CDS enrollees with questions about this transfer may call DHCS at 1-800-430-4263.
The mission of DHCS is to preserve and improve the health status of all Californians. The department oversees Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, which provides vital health care services for more than 7.6 million low-income and disabled Californians.
The DMHC regulates managed care health plans in California, protects the rights of approximately 20 million health plan enrollees, educates consumers on their health care rights and responsibilities, and preserves the financial stability of the managed health care system. Since 2000, the department has helped more than 1 million Californians resolve health plan problems through its Help Center.
Californians who would like to learn more about health care options, consumer rights, or to receive assistance filing complaints and appeals, may contact the DMHC Help Center at 1-888-466-2219 or visit www.HealthHelp.ca.gov.