Bass Pro Shops is more than just a retailer; it is a destination. Known for its massive stores, immersive outdoor experiences, and a loyal customer base, the company also has a reputation for being a solid employer. For the tens of thousands of employees who work for Bass Pro Shops and its sister company, Cabela’s, the benefits package is a significant part of their employment experience.
Dental insurance is a core component of that package. For employees, understanding who provides their dental coverage is essential for scheduling appointments, understanding their benefits, and ensuring they are maximizing their plan. This guide identifies the dental insurance provider for Bass Pro Shops, explains how the coverage is structured, and provides guidance for employees on how to navigate their benefits.
The Provider: Delta Dental
The dental insurance provider for Bass Pro Shops is Delta Dental. Specifically, the company’s benefits are administered through one of Delta Dental’s member companies.
This is a common and practical choice for a large national retailer. Bass Pro Shops has locations in nearly every state, and its employees are spread across the country. Choosing a provider with a massive, nationwide network is not just a convenience; it is a necessity.
Why Delta Dental?
Delta Dental is not a single company but a network of independent dental insurance companies operating under the Delta Dental Plans Association. This structure gives it a unique advantage: it combines the local expertise of member companies with a massive national footprint.
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National Reach: Delta Dental’s networks are the largest in the United States. A Bass Pro employee in Springfield, Missouri (the company’s headquarters) and an employee in Denver, Colorado, can both find a local, in-network dentist easily.
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Brand Recognition: Delta Dental is a trusted and well-known name in dental insurance. Offering a recognizable brand adds value for employees.
Which Delta Dental Member Company Administers the Plan?
While Bass Pro Shops is headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, the specific Delta Dental member company that administers its plan is often Delta Dental of Missouri. This is common for large employers; they contract with the member company in their home state to run the national plan. The employee’s ID card will show the specific administrator’s logo. For an employee, this detail matters mainly for customer service contacts and website logins.
Understanding the Plan Structure at Bass Pro
Like most large employers, Bass Pro Shops negotiates the specific terms of its dental plan. The employer decides how rich the benefits will be, what the deductibles are, and what percentage of the premium the employee must pay. Delta Dental of Missouri then administers these rules and provides the network.
Based on industry standards for large retailers and publicly available employee feedback, we can outline the typical structure of a Bass Pro Shops dental plan.
The PPO Model
Large employers almost universally choose a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) model for their dental plans. This is because it offers employees a balance of choice and cost savings.
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In-Network: Employees are encouraged to see dentists who participate in the Delta Dental PPO network. These dentists have agreed to contracted rates, which are lower than their standard fees. This saves both the employee and the plan money.
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Out-of-Network: Employees have the freedom to see any licensed dentist. However, if they choose an out-of-network dentist, their out-of-pocket costs will be higher because the dentist has not agreed to the contracted rates.
Two-Tiered Networks: PPO and Premier
Delta Dental offers two main networks, and Bass Pro employees may have access to both.
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Delta Dental PPO: This is the preferred network. It offers the largest discounts and the lowest out-of-pocket costs.
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Delta Dental Premier: This is a larger, secondary network. It includes dentists who have not agreed to the deeper PPO discounts but still offer a contracted rate. It provides more choice but may cost the employee slightly more.
Typical Coverage Breakdown
A standard employer plan from a company like Bass Pro might offer coverage similar to this:
| Service Category | Typical PPO Coverage | Employee’s Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Preventive Care (Exams, Cleanings, X-rays) | 100% covered | $0 (No deductible) |
| Basic Services (Fillings, Simple Extractions) | 80% covered | 20% (after deductible) |
| Major Services (Crowns, Bridges, Dentures) | 50% covered | 50% (after deductible) |
| Annual Maximum | $1,500 – $2,500 per person | Anything above this limit |
| Deductible | $50 (Individual) / $150 (Family) | Paid once per year before basic/major care |
Note: This is a representative example. The specific plan options available to a Bass Pro employee may vary based on their employment status (full-time vs. part-time) and the enrollment choices they make.
How Bass Pro Employees Can Access Their Benefits
If you are a Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s employee, here is how to navigate your dental insurance.
1. Find Your ID Card
Your dental insurance ID card is your key to care. It will have the Delta Dental logo, your member ID number, and the customer service phone number. You can often access a digital version through your employee benefits portal or the Delta Dental mobile app.
2. Find a Dentist
To get the best rates, you must find a dentist in the Delta Dental network.
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Action: Go to the Delta Dental website (the specific one on your card, likely Delta Dental of Missouri) and use the “Find a Dentist” search tool. Make sure you are searching the PPO network, not the Premier network, to get the maximum savings.
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Verify: Always call the dentist’s office before your first appointment to confirm they still accept your specific Delta Dental plan.
3. Understand Your Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
After every visit, Delta Dental will send you an Explanation of Benefits. This is not a bill. It is a statement that shows what the dentist charged, what the insurance paid, and what you owe the dentist. Reviewing your EOBs helps you track your claims and your remaining annual maximum.
4. Getting Customer Service
If you have questions about a claim or your coverage, call the customer service number on your ID card. You will be connected to a representative from Delta Dental of Missouri who can explain your benefits.
The Role of the Employer vs. The Insurer
It is a common misconception that the insurance company decides everything. In an employer-sponsored plan, the roles are distinct.
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Bass Pro Shops (The Employer): Decides the plan design. They choose the deductibles, the annual maximums, the coverage percentages, and how much the employee pays per month in premiums. They are the ones who “buy” the coverage for their workforce.
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Delta Dental (The Insurer): Processes the claims according to the rules set by Bass Pro Shops. They manage the network of dentists and handle the administrative side of the insurance.
If an employee has an issue with what is covered (e.g., the plan has a low annual maximum), that is a decision made by Bass Pro’s benefits team. If the issue is with a claim being processed incorrectly or a problem with the network, that is Delta Dental’s responsibility to fix.
Conclusion
Bass Pro Shops provides its employees with dental coverage through Delta Dental, administered by Delta Dental of Missouri. This partnership is a logical one, combining the retail giant’s need for a national network with the insurance provider’s vast reach and trusted brand. For employees, the key to maximizing their benefits is to understand the PPO structure, use in-network dentists, and engage with the tools provided by Delta Dental.
FAQ
Q: Are Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s dental plans the same?
A: Yes. Following the merger of the two companies, their employee benefits packages were aligned. Employees of both Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are now covered under the same Delta Dental plan structure.
Q: Does the Bass Pro Shops dental plan cover orthodontics?
A: It depends on the specific plan option chosen by the employee. Many large employers offer a plan that includes a separate orthodontic benefit, which often covers a percentage of braces or Invisalign up to a lifetime maximum. Employees must check their specific plan’s Evidence of Coverage to know for sure.
Q: What if my dentist is not in the Delta Dental network?
A: You can still see them. Your plan will provide out-of-network benefits. However, you will likely pay more. The plan will pay a percentage of what it considers a “usual, customary, and reasonable” (UCR) fee, which may be less than what your dentist charges. You are responsible for the difference.
Q: How do part-time employees at Bass Pro get dental insurance?
A: Eligibility for benefits at Bass Pro Shops depends on the employee’s classification and hours worked. Generally, full-time employees are eligible for the full benefits package. Part-time employees may be eligible for a different set of benefits or may not be eligible for health coverage, depending on the specific company policy at the time.
Additional Resource
For general information on how dental PPO networks work and how to find a dentist, visit the national Delta Dental website: https://www.deltadental.com/
