National Dental GRID Network FAQ

  • Premera joins national Dental GRID, starting January 1, 2026.

    Premera is joining the national Dental GRID*, one of the country’s leading national dental networks. This nationwide dental network links networks from many Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans from across the country for BCBS members to use.  See below for answers to common questions about this change and visit the Dental Resources provider web page for more information.

    * The national Dental GRID is managed by the GRID Dental Corporation (GDC), a separate company that provides access to dental networks and services on behalf of Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company.

  • The national Dental GRID is one of the largest national dental networks serving many national BCBS plan members. By linking dental networks from participating BCBS plans across the country, Dental GRID significantly increases access for dental members, no matter where they live or travel in the U.S.

    There are two distinct network networks through Dental GRID called GRID and GRID+.

    GRID+ offers the broadest access, and the GRID offers a narrower subset of the GRID+ network. These network names are displayed as appropriate on the member ID cards.

    Participating BCBS plans share their local networks to create a large national dental network that some BCBS members can access for dental services payable under a dental benefit.  This is similar to the BCBS national medical solution known as BlueCard.

    Dentists in Premera's Dental Choice network will automatically become part of the GRID and GRID+ networks.  This will enable you to provide dental care to some BCBS members as an in-network provider when the member has the GRID or GRID+ network.

    This change does not affect your contract with Premera, nor how you'll work with Premera when you provide care to our members.

    There are two distinct network networks through Dental GRID called GRID and GRID+ and you might see either of these names on member ID cards.  The GRID+ network is larger than the GRID network.

    The Dental GRID only applies to dental services. There is no change in how medical services are administered.

    For dentists contracted directly with Premera as part of the Dental Choice network and contracted with another entity to participate in GRID and/or GRID+, Premera's contract and fee schedule supersedes.

    No, the changes related to the Dental GRID don’t affect other networks.

    No, this change won't apply to your practice.

    For Washington, Alaska Premera members:
    Check the front of the member's ID card to find Premera's network.  For dentists not directly contracted with Premera AND contracted with an entity to participate in "GRID" or "GRID+", check the back of the member's ID card to determine if member has access to "GRID" or "GRID+".

    For all other Blue Cross Blue Shield members:
    Check the member's ID card (front or back) for the network name "GRID" or "GRID+".

    For all Premera and BCBS members:
    Sign up with Availity Essentials to verify member benefits and eligibility, submit claims, and manage other administrative tasks.

    For Washington, Alaska Premera members:
    You can submit a dental predetermination the same way you submit a claim either by using Availity or to the address on the member’s ID card.

    For all other Blue Cross Blue Shield members:
    Submit a predetermination to the member’s home plan.

    For Washington, Alaska Premera members:
    Submit claims for Premera members directly to Premera using Availity or the address located on the back of the member’s ID card.

    For all other Blue Cross Blue Shield members:
    Submit claims to the member's home plan as they are responsible for servicing their own customers, no matter where in the country the care is delivered.

    For all Premera and BCBS members:
    Submit claims for Premera members directly to Premera using Availity or the address located on the back of the member’s ID card.

    For Washington, Alaska Premera members:
    Premera will issue payment for any plan liability, based on your Premera fee schedule.

    For all other Blue Cross Blue Shield members:
    The member's home plan will issue payment for any plan liability, based on your Premera fee schedule.

    For all Premera and BCBS members:
    Premera will issue payment for any plan liability.

    For Washington, Alaska Premera members:
    You can submit an appeal by fax or mail, you can find the appeal form with the correct fax and mailing address on our websites for WA or AK.

    For all other Blue Cross Blue Shield members:
    Contact the member’s home plan.