Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Offers BlueCare Dental Plan

2010 JAN 27 - (NewsRx.com) -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is offering individual and family dental plans to its members with the BlueCare Dental PPO plan. With the BlueCare Dental PPO, members have access to one of the largest networks of contracting dentists and are able to see any dentist without a referral (see also Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois - Health Care).

"The BlueCare Dental PPO plan has one of the highest maximum benefit levels with no deductibles for checkups, cleanings and other preventive services," says BCBSIL Divisional Vice President of Consumer Markets, Katherine Wright. "This saves our members' money."

With the BlueCare Dental PPO plan, costs are reduced when members receive care from a network dentist. However, the plan allows members to see any dentist not in the network, but out-of-pocket costs may be higher. There is also a 20% discount for orthodontic services at participating dentists.

Existing individual members can add BlueCare Dental PPO to their health insurance plan without having to answer any medical questions through January 29, 2010. It's as simple as adding an amendment (called a Dental Rider) to their policy. All family members currently on the BCBSIL health insurance plan must be added to the dental plan. Coverage begins after the first dental premium is received.

To enroll in the dental plan, members can log in to Blue Access for Members (BAM) at www.bcbsil.com, call 1-888-454-5594, or contact a BCBSIL authorized independent health insurance agent.

The deadline for existing members to enroll is January 29, 2010. New BCBSIL applicants can check the dental checkbox on the application for medical coverage.

With more than 7 million members, BCBSIL, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, is the largest health insurance company in Illinois. Started in 1936, BCBSIL is committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and its communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care. BCBSIL is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.