Cardinal Care & Virginia Medicaid — accepted here.
Lunar Dental is in-network with Cardinal Care (Virginia Medicaid) for adults and children. We accept new Cardinal Care patients. Same dentist, same chair, same treatment workflow as patients on private PPOs — digital x-rays, intraoral scanning, same-day crowns where eligible, sedation when needed. Located in Gainesville, VA, serving Haymarket, Bristow, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
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Invisalign Certified · Implant Provider · Oral Conscious Sedation · Dental Sleep Medicine · Owner, Lunar Dental
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Who this is for
Adults and children covered by Virginia Medicaid under any of its MCO names — Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, Aetna Better Health, Sentara Community Plan, Molina Complete Care, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Patients who've called other Gainesville-area practices and been told they're not accepting Cardinal Care. Families with one parent on Cardinal Care and another on private insurance — we file separately for each.
What it costs
For covered services under Cardinal Care, most patients pay nothing out-of-pocket. We verify your specific plan and coverage rules before any treatment. If a service isn't covered or has a frequency limit you've already hit, we tell you in writing before we start — never a surprise bill. Missed-appointment fees may apply per Virginia Medicaid policy.
Why so few practices in this area accept Cardinal Care
The honest answer — and why we don't do it that way.
Cardinal Care reimburses dental work at lower rates than private PPOs. A practice run as a high-volume corporate group will turn Cardinal Care away because the per-visit margin doesn't match their business model. A practice run as a solo doctor with reasonable overhead can absorb the rate difference and still operate honestly. That's what we do.
Practical implication for you: Cardinal Care patients at Lunar Dental are not routed to a separate "Medicaid track" of shorter appointments, generic materials, or reduced services. The crown a Cardinal Care patient receives is the same crown a Delta Dental patient receives, fabricated on the same in-office mill, seated by the same dentist. The clinical workflow doesn't change based on who's paying.
What's covered, what's not
Cardinal Care dental benefits in plain English.
Typically covered
- Exams, cleanings, x-rays (frequency limits apply)
- Fillings (composite and amalgam)
- Extractions, including surgical when needed
- Root canals on most permanent teeth
- Crowns on permanent teeth
- Full and partial dentures
- Emergency dental care
- Children's orthodontics when medically necessary
- Children's sealants and fluoride
Typically not covered for adults
- Cosmetic procedures (veneers, whitening)
- Invisalign / adult orthodontics
- Most dental implants (case-specific exceptions exist)
- Premium crown materials beyond standard porcelain
- Sedation as a comfort measure (covered only in specific medical-necessity situations)
Coverage rules change periodically. Frequency limits (how often a service can be billed) apply to most categories. We verify your specific plan and current coverage before any treatment and write everything down for you.
First-visit checklist
What to bring, what to expect.
- 1
Bring your Cardinal Care card
Plus a photo ID. If your card was issued recently or your MCO changed, that's fine — we verify on the spot.
- 2
Plan for a 60-minute first visit
Paperwork (online beforehand when possible), x-rays, cleaning, full exam, and a care-planning conversation with Dr. Zan. Children's first visits often run shorter.
- 3
Leave with a written plan
Every patient leaves the first visit with a priority list: what's urgent, what can wait, what's covered, what isn't, and what each thing costs.
Common questions
About Cardinal Care at Lunar Dental.
Do you accept Cardinal Care / Virginia Medicaid at Lunar Dental?
Yes. Lunar Dental is in-network with Cardinal Care (Virginia Medicaid) for both adults and children. Cardinal Care patients see the same dentist, in the same chair, on the same schedule as every other patient. No separate waiting room, no separate office.
What dental services does Cardinal Care cover for adults in Virginia?
As of 2026, Cardinal Care covers comprehensive adult dental care: exams, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, dentures, partials, and limited orthodontics. Coverage rules and frequency limits apply. We verify your specific plan before any treatment and tell you in writing what's covered and what's out-of-pocket.
How do I know if I have Cardinal Care?
Cardinal Care is the umbrella name for Virginia's Medicaid program (which includes the FAMIS program for kids). If your insurance card says "Virginia Medicaid," "Cardinal Care," "Anthem HealthKeepers Plus," "Aetna Better Health of Virginia," "Sentara Community Plan," "Molina Complete Care," or "United Healthcare Community Plan," that's Cardinal Care. Bring the card to your first visit and we verify your specific plan.
Will I be treated differently as a Cardinal Care patient?
No. We treat Cardinal Care patients with the same time, attention, and technology — digital x-rays, intraoral scanning, same-day crowns where eligible, sedation when needed — as patients with private PPO insurance or self-pay. We built the practice to work this way intentionally.
Do you accept new Cardinal Care patients?
Yes, we are actively accepting new Cardinal Care patients. Many practices in the Gainesville/Haymarket area do not — that's part of why we built Lunar Dental. To book, call 703-349-0099 or use the online scheduler. Bring your Cardinal Care card to the first visit.
Is there a copay or any cost with Cardinal Care?
For covered services, Cardinal Care has no copay for most patients. There may be small administrative fees for missed appointments or no-shows (per state Medicaid policy). If a service isn't covered or exceeds frequency limits, we tell you in writing before treatment and you decide whether to proceed self-pay or wait.
Does Cardinal Care cover dental implants or Invisalign?
Cardinal Care coverage for adult dental implants is limited and case-specific. Invisalign and cosmetic orthodontics are typically not covered for adults. For children, orthodontics may be covered when medically necessary. We verify exact coverage and give you a written estimate before any work.
My child has FAMIS or Virginia Medicaid — can they see Dr. Zan?
Yes. Children with FAMIS or Cardinal Care are welcome. Routine pediatric care — cleanings, sealants, simple fillings — is performed in-house. Complex pediatric cases (extensive sedation, surgical extractions) are referred to a pediatric specialist we work with.
Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor for dental care under Cardinal Care?
No. You can book directly with us for dental services without a medical referral. You may need prior authorization for specific procedures (major restorative work, certain extractions) — we handle that paperwork.
What if I just got Cardinal Care or my Medicaid plan changed?
Bring your current card. We'll verify coverage on the spot. If your plan changed recently (annual renewal, change of MCO, new employer benefits), we can usually still see you — we file with whichever Cardinal Care MCO is currently active.