As access to dental services continues to be an issue for many Americans, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts’ Dental Blue plan has expanded its national network to include 122,000 dentists at more than 300,000 locations across all 50 states. According to the company, this move makes it one of the largest dental networks in the country.
“We know that good oral health leads to better overall health,” said Rich Greenhalgh, vice president of specialty benefits at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. “That’s why we’re thrilled to offer all Dental Blue members and expanded provider network, so they have an easier time finding a dentist and getting the dental care they need, no matter where they live in the country.”
The company says that the newly expanded network offers a seamless experience for members, as it’s available at no additional cost and members can continue to search for and access services using the Find a Doctor tool to located a contracted dental provider anywhere in the country. Also, there will be no changes to the claims process. Members can continue to view both medical and dental claims on the MyBlue Member Portal of MyBlue Member App.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts also says that its expanded network has helped make it the fastest growing dental plan in the state, approaching a million members. It currently serves more than 25,000 employers and 2.8 million members overall in Massachusetts.
“More companies based in Massachusetts are choosing us for both medical and dental coverage because they realize that by integrating dental health, they can help improve their employees’ overall health outcomes,” said Greenhalgh.
“For example, we can identify members with conditions like diabetes and heart disease who may benefit from oral health interventions and offer them tips on healthy behaviors and free additional cleanings to help them improve their overall health,” Greenhalgh said.
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