Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Introduces New Dental Plans That Offer Industry-Leading Benefits for Small and Large Groups in Colorado

DENVER, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield today announced the availability of new dental plans in Colorado for small and large groups with effective dates of 4/1/2010 and later.

"We're introducing several new dental plans for small and large employers that offer new noteworthy benefit options and orthodontic coverage," said John Martie, president, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado. "In the past, we mainly offered dental plans that provided the same level of coverage in- and out-of-network. Our new dental plans continue to offer exceptional benefits in-network, which encourages members to seek care from a dentist who is in Anthem's network, and thereby help control costs."

"Our new dental portfolio includes three plan designs – Basic dental plans, Classic dental plans and Enhanced dental plans," said Gary Ballman, staff vice president of product development for Anthem's dental business. "The Basic dental plans include coverage for basic services such as cleanings, exams, X-rays and fillings. The Classic dental plans include coverage for basic dental services, and additional coverage for most major services – all with high annual maximum benefit levels. The Enhanced dental plans offer the greatest level of coverage and include choices for even higher annual maximum benefit levels and lower member cost shares."

In addition, composite (tooth-colored) fillings are standard product features on the Classic and Enhanced dental plan designs. All three dental plans include coverage for brush biopsies for early cancer detection and coverage for three cleanings a year for diabetic and pregnant members.

We also offer three voluntary dental plans for small groups and five voluntary dental plans for large groups – a win-win situation for employers and their employees. Employers can offer benefits to their employees at no cost to their company – employers need only choose a benefits package, explain the benefits to their employees and administer the payroll deductions. And, employees are offered a benefits package generally more comprehensive than they would receive on an individual plan, plus they receive the group rate.

When members use in-network dentists, they receive Anthem's negotiated rates:

• For many non-covered services — even cosmetic services
• When they reach the annual plan maximum
• During waiting periods on the new voluntary dental benefit plans

Groups can choose the network that best fits their needs. They can select the Dental Prime-contracted network, which is the lower cost network, or they can pick the Dental Complete-contracted network, which is the largest dental PPO network in Colorado.*

"We know brokers want plans that are easier for customers to understand, select and use, and we believe our new options offer the benefit features the market is demanding," said Martie. "Our goal is to continue to create and offer dental plans that meet the needs of our small and large groups. Our new set of plans does just that."

Source: *NetMinder reports, 8/3/09

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.  Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado is available at www.anthem.com.

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado