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Specialists, such as periodontists, endodontists and oral surgeons,participate in all three Dental Blue networks. Referrals are not required tovisit Dental Blue specialists. Member out-of-pocket costs are controlledthrough protected balanced billing. Members may also visit a non-Dental Bluedentist, but their out-of-pocket costs will likely be higher.
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"One of the main reasons why people don't go to the dentist for routinecare is lack of affordable dental insurance. That's one of the reasons wecreated Dental Blue," said Chuck Slater, President, Anthem Blue Cross and BlueShield in Ohio. "Dental coverage can play an important role in anindividual's overall health and well being. Dental Blue offers employeesaffordable and flexible access to dental coverage."
Dental Blue also offers members additional potential savingsopportunities:
According to the University of Southern California School of Dentistry2006 Dean's Report, approximately 110 million Americans are without dentalinsurance. "Businesses are asking how they can make dental coverage availableto their employees without breaking the bank," said Slater. "Most often, thereason these employers give for not offering dental coverage is cost. DentalBlue's three networks and multiple price points provide employers withaffordable options to offer dental coverage to their employees."
Dental Blue plans are also designed to help meet the needs of employerswho want to reduce the cost of their existing dental plan without reducingcoverage. "If your employees want access to a larger network, they can haveit. Dental Blue's broad network access makes it easier for members tocontinue seeing the dentist they know and trust," said Derek Bridges,president of Anthem's dental business.
Employers understand the important connection between the health of theiremployees and the health of their business. According to Academy of GeneralDentistry, 164 million work hours are lost each year due to oral healthproblems. "Having a healthy smile is important to your overall health.Seeing a dentist regularly may help detect early warning signs of more serioushealth problems," said Dr. Barry Malinowski, Anthem's local medical director.
Anthem and its affiliated companies serve more than 5 million dentalmembers nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.anthem.com or call(888) 315-2049.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio is a subsidiary of WellPoint,Inc. WellPoint's mission is to improve the lives of the people it serves andthe health of its communities. WellPoint, Inc. is the largest health benefitscompany in terms of commercial membership in the United States. Through itsnationwide networks, the company delivers a number of leading health benefitsolutions through a broad portfolio of integrated health care plans andrelated services, along with a wide range of specialty products such as lifeand disability insurance benefits, pharmacy benefit management, dental,vision, behavioral health benefit services, as well as long term careinsurance and flexible spending accounts. Headquartered in Indianapolis,Indiana, WellPoint is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and BlueShield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee forCalifornia; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut,Georgia, Indiana, Ke
