How to Find a Dentist Who Takes Anthem Insurance: My Complete Guide

Table of Contents

• Using Anthem’s Provider Finder Tool
• Contacting Dental Offices Directly
• Cautiously Using Third-Party Directories
• Asking for Personal Recommendations

Introduction

When I first got my Anthem dental insurance card, I felt a weird mix of relief and confusion. Relief because I finally had help paying for dental care. Confusion because I really didn’t know what to do next. Which dentist would actually take my plan? How do I make sure I won’t get surprised by a big bill? After a bunch of calls, a few mixed-up visits, and too much skimming through small print, I figured it out. Now, I want to share everything I learned—so you can skip the headaches and feel sure every step of the way.

If you’re looking for a dentist who takes Anthem insurance, trust me, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, clicking around on websites and staring at long provider lists. In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how I found dentists that really took my Anthem plan, how I checked to make sure they were in, and how I made the most of my insurance—without running into scary bills.

Understanding My Anthem Dental Plan: PPO vs. HMO

Here’s a basic lesson I learned fast: Not every Anthem dental plan works the same way. The kind you have—PPO or HMO—really matters, especially when it comes to picking a dentist and what you’ll pay.

Anthem Dental PPO: More Choices

My first plan was a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). This type is really flexible. With a PPO, I could try out almost any dentist that “takes Anthem,” even some that aren’t “in-network.” Going to a dentist outside the network just means you pay more—sometimes a lot more. The good part? Lots of choice. Most regular dentists, and many specialists, are part of Anthem’s big PPO group. When I moved to a new state, I still found plenty of options, since PPO networks are usually pretty big.

Anthem Dental HMO: More Rules

Later, my job switched us to a HMO (Health Maintenance Organization). That plan was stricter. I had to pick one main dentist from a short list—the in-network group was much smaller. I couldn’t just go anywhere. If I needed a specialist, I had to get a referral from that dentist. The good side? Lower costs and usually no deductible. The bad side: less choice if I didn’t like my first dentist, and switching was kind of a pain.

PPO vs. HMO: Main Differences

• Choice: PPO = lots of dentists; HMO = fewer dentists
• Cost: HMO usually cheaper
• Referrals: HMO needs them for specialists; PPO doesn’t
• Switching Dentists: PPO is easier; HMO makes you stick with your pick unless you ask to change

Really, knowing your exact plan type is half the fight. Anthem sent me a starter packet—it had all the info. If you’re unsure, check your card, look on the website, or just call customer service.

Step-by-Step Guide: How I Find a Dentist That Takes Anthem

I lost track of how many times people said, “Just look online!” The thing is, those online dental lists are kind of a mess. Here’s how I really found dentists (and even specialists) each time my plan changed.

Using Anthem’s Provider Finder Tool

My favorite starting point is Anthem’s official Provider Finder Tool. I’ve had PPO and HMO plans—both come up on the Anthem website.

How I use it:

When I look at a dentist’s profile, Anthem shows which insurance plans they take and often if they’re taking new people right now.

Tip: Check when they last updated the list. Sometimes dentists have closed or moved but still show up. If I’m not sure, I call.

Contacting Dental Offices Directly

Calling the dentist office always helps. When I think about picking someone, I call and ask:

• “Are you in-network with Anthem/Anthem Blue Cross dental PPO/HMO?”
• “Do you take my exact Anthem plan? Here’s my group and member number.”
• “Will you double-check with Anthem before I come in?”
• “Is Dr. Smith still working at this location?”

Most front desk folks are used to these questions—they don’t mind checking. Lots of times, this helped me avoid booking somewhere that was about to stop taking Anthem.

Cautiously Using Third-Party Directories

Websites like Zocdoc or Healthgrades let you read reviews and see which dentists say they take Anthem. But here’s the rule I follow—I never trust those alone. I always double-check with Anthem’s website and by calling the dental office too. More than once, I found dentists marked “in-network” on Zocdoc who really weren’t.

Asking for Personal Recommendations

Word-of-mouth always helps. Friends and coworkers have suggested awesome dentists who happened to be in-network. Still, I use those tips as a starting point—I always check with both the dentist’s office and Anthem first.

Essential Questions I Always Ask Before Booking

I learned, sometimes the hard way, that asking a few clear questions at the start can save stress and money.

• Give them your member ID and plan name—it’s not enough to just say “Anthem.” Some places only take certain Anthem plans.

• I want a rough idea—the surprise should be how little I pay, not how much.

• Some offices want you to pay first and file later. That’s okay, but I want to know before I get there.

• If I need more than just a cleaning, I ask for the office to get a written estimate from Anthem. Then, no one gets surprised.

• Good to know what my options are so I’m not caught off guard.

Don’t feel bad about asking any of these—good offices actually like it when you know your plan.

Making the Most of My Anthem Dental Benefits

It took me a while to figure out that I was missing out on stuff—or worse, didn’t see some coverage details that would’ve saved me big money. Here’s what I learned about getting full use out of Anthem dental insurance.

Preventive Care: Free is Free

Pretty much every Anthem plan I had covered two checkups, cleanings, and X-rays a year for free. Not using them means saying no to free dental care. And regular checkups mean you fix small problems before they get big and pricey. Anthem really wants you to use these visits.

Understanding My Explanation of Benefits (EOB)

After every visit, Anthem sends an EOB—this isn’t a bill. It shows what was billed, what Anthem paid, and if I owe anything. Checking this is smart. Mistakes happen. Once, Anthem said no to a fluoride treatment that should’ve been paid for. I called, and they fixed it.

Watching My Yearly Max and Deductible

My PPO plan set a yearly max—usually about $1,500 to $2,000 per person each year. If I hit that, Anthem stopped paying (except preventive things). My HMO plan was different, using set copays but no “max.” I always keep track so I’m not shocked later.

Prior Authorization: Big Dental Work Needs Approval

I learned that for big stuff—like crowns, bridges, or sometimes root canals—Anthem asks for something called prior authorization. My dentist sends in info about what needs to be done, Anthem says how much they’ll cover, and I get a letter or message with their answer. If you skip this, they might say no to paying—even for work the dentist thought was covered.

What If My Dentist Is Out-of-Network?

With PPO plans, sometimes I picked a favorite dentist who was “out-of-network.” I paid more, but Anthem still helped a bit. With HMO, it wasn’t worth it—out-of-network really isn’t covered. If you go out-of-network, be ready for more paperwork and waiting for a check.

Dental Services I’ve Found Covered by Anthem

I used to think dental insurance only paid for checkups or fillings, but it actually covers other things too. My plans changed over time, but here’s what I’ve noticed:

Preventive

• Cleanings, Exams, X-rays: Usually 100% covered for two visits a year
• Fluoride and Sealants: Great for kids, often free

Basic Restorative

• Fillings and Simple Tooth Pulls: Normally, Anthem paid 60–80% after the deductible

Major Restorative

• Crowns, Bridges, False Teeth: These are “major services” with my plan, and Anthem usually paid about half, but only after the deductible
• Root Canals, Big Oral Surgery: Same idea, but sometimes you need pre-approval

Specialty Services

This is where things change. Braces or big surgeries needed extra coverage. When my teen needed braces, I made sure to pick a plan with orthodontics—it saved a bunch but needed more paperwork the first time.

If you’re not sure what’s “major” or “preventive,” I say just ask both Anthem and your dental office for a list.

What I Do If I Run Into Anthem Dental Coverage Problems

No insurance is perfect, and sometimes things go wrong. Here’s how I fix it:

• Call Anthem Member Services: They’re pretty good. I have my EOB and bill out, and go through it line by line.
• Ask About Appeals: If a claim was denied and doesn’t make sense, I ask to appeal. Sometimes it’s just a coding or paper mistake.
• Get My Dentist’s Help: Most dental offices want to help you—they’ll resend claims or send in more info.
• Stay Calm and Keep Calling: Sometimes things take a while, but I keep checking back until it’s fixed.

My Final Thoughts: Taking Charge of Dental Health with Anthem

Looking for a dentist that takes Anthem insurance can seem hard at first. I’ll be honest, my first couple tries were a little rough. But once I got the hang of it, it got easy. Know your plan. Use the Anthem tools—but always call to double-check. Ask everything before you go. And speak up if you get a weird bill or something doesn’t seem right.

Good dental care is worth it. After I started using those twice-a-year free visits, my teeth got healthier, I paid less, and I worried a lot less. Don’t miss out on those free cleanings.

And here’s a little bonus: Ever wonder how your dentist makes those cool new crowns or gets your dentures just right? It might be thanks to the work done behind the scenes in a digital dental lab or a crown and bridge lab. If you’re interested, these can show you a bit about how it all works!

A lot of the tips I wrote here have even been looked over by real pros, like Dr. Joe Dental, who always says: ask questions and know your plan before getting care. That advice really helped me.

If you’re about to start your search, just take a breath—you can do this. With your Anthem card and these steps, you’ll be smiling and saving money soon.

Everything here is just from my own experience, plus advice from experts. If you have a special case or big dental work coming up, always double-check with Anthem and your dental office.