John Alden Dental available to small business owners in 10 additional states

John Alden Life Insurance Company, a legal entity of Fortis Health, announced the availability of its dental insurance product -- John Alden Dental -- to small business owners in 10 additional states.

Now available in 45 states, John Alden Dental was introduced in September 2001 and is designed especially for small businesses owners and their employees. "Many employers demand the convenience of getting their medical and dental insurance through the same carrier," says Kerri Mansberg, vice president, John Alden Product Management. "We're pleased to offer this comprehensive product as a complement to our medical coverage."

John Alden Dental is available to any small employer with at least three covered employees and can be purchased as part of a complete employee benefit program or as a stand-alone product. Beginning April 15, agents can obtain quotes for John Alden Dental for policies effective June 1 in the following additional states: Illinois, Washington, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, North Carolina, and Maryland.

A variety of choices
The new dental product will offer employers the choice of PPO Plans or Indemnity Plans. Employers with five or more covered employees can opt for a combination of both with Employee Choice, which gives employees the ability to choose either a PPO or Indemnity Plan.

Both PPO Plans and Indemnity Plans offer flexibility, a wide range of coverage levels and optional benefits. For example, both plans include 100-percent coverage of preventive care. Small businesses with at least 10 covered employees can also select optional orthodontia benefits for dependent children.

In addition, both plans offer the choice of high and low options. The high option provides a $2,000 maximum benefit per year and pays a higher percentage of basic or major services after deductible. The low option carries a maximum benefit of $1,000 per year and pays a slightly lower percentage of basic or major services after deductible. "The low option is for those who still want a quality plan but want to keep costs down by assuming a slightly higher deductible and lower maximum benefit per year," explains Mansberg.

PPO Plans
PPO Plans provide maximum coverage, with negotiated discounts for services provided by John Alden Dental network providers. These providers are part of the Dental Health Alliance (DHA), a nationwide group of over 20,000 dental professionals. "People who choose to use DHA providers will receive discounts even for services over the plan maximum or those that are not covered by the plan, such as whitening," explains Mansberg.

Under PPO Plans, employees can opt to use non-network providers and receive slightly lower coverage amounts. For example, fillings provided within the network are 90-percent covered, while fillings provided outside the network are 70-percent covered.

Indemnity Plans
Indemnity Plans give employees the freedom to use any dentist, offering the same benefit for network and non-network providers. These plans provide an alternative for employees who already have a dentist or who live outside the network area. Plus, employees who use network providers can still benefit from DHA discounts, resulting in lower out-of-pocket expenses.

To promote the new dental product, North Star Marketing is offering special incentives to agents, including a contest with prizes and cash bonuses where permitted. In addition, employers who wish to transfer their business from another carrier to John Alden Dental will get credit at no additional charge. For questions about availability in specific states -- including PPO availability -- and for more information about John Alden Dental, employers or agents may contact a North Star Marketing Representative toll-free at (877) 225-5077 or via email at [email protected].

John Alden Dental is offered through North Star Marketing, the national sales and distribution division of John Alden Life Insurance Company. Effective dates of John Alden Dental began November 1, 2001, in the original 20 states