THOUSAND OAKS, California--Blue Cross of California announced this month the availability of Dental Blue(), a new dental insurance program from affiliate BC Life & Health Insurance Company that gives employers--and their employees--the power to choose a dental plan tailored to meet their needs and budgets.
Designed to maximize benefits and flexibility, Dental Blue features three tiers of provider networks with multiple price points, giving employees the freedom to access a larger network with controlled out-of-pocket costs. The Dental Blue network of credentialed providers also includes access to specialists and discounts for a range of popular services, such as teeth whitening and braces.
Dental insurance is the second most requested employee benefit after medical insurance. Yet, forty-two percent of American employers do not offer dental insurance. According to a survey conducted by LIMRA International Research, employers feel obligated to offer comprehensive benefits packages, but are struggling to offer a full range of benefits on a limited budget.
Dental Blue's strategy of multiple networks and price points empowers employers to reduce the cost of existing dental insurance without compromising benefits, and offers affordable, comprehensive solutions to those employers without dental insurance.
"By offering three networks at multiple premium levels, Blue Cross is bringing a unique new concept to the dental insurance industry with Dental Blue," said Derek Bridges, President, Dental and Vision for Blue Cross of California. "Dental Blue strikes a balance between affordability and access to the dental network that is quickly becoming the largest in the nation."
Dental Blue includes the following tiers of provider networks:
Dental Blue 100: A value network offering maximum cost savings with access to approximately 35 percent of all dentists in California. Members
have access to the Dental Blue 200 and 300 networks, with controlled
out-of-pocket costs.
Dental Blue 200: An enhanced network offering with access to approximately 50 percent of all dentists in California. Members have access to Dental Blue 300 dentists with additional out-of-pocket costs.
Dental Blue 300: The largest network offering access to approximately 75 percent of all dentists in California. Members have access to Dental
Blue 100, 200 and 300 dentists at the same out-of-pocket cost.
Dental Blue is now available from Blue Cross sales representatives statewide. Blue Cross is pleased to serve more than 5 million dental members, and 1 million vision members across the country.
More information is available at www.bluecrossca.com or by calling (888) 315-2049.
