Prudential Group Insurance to Offer Dental Plans

Forms Strategic Alliance with Group Dental Service

NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Prudential Financial, Inc.’s (NYSE:PRU) Group Insurance business will offer dental coverage plans as part of its array of group insurance products following the establishment of a strategic alliance with respected dental administrator, Group Dental Service, Inc.

“To provide a top notch and highly desirable dental product, we sought out a strategic partner that would allow us to offer clients a strong dental network, state of the art systems and experienced staff,” said Lori High, president of Prudential’s Group Insurance business. “In Group Dental Service we found a management company that specializes in private-label programs with a veteran team experienced in administering large programs like Prudential’s. This alliance further deepens our product portfolio and meets growing interest among employers to bundle dental insurance along with life, disability, and long-term care insurance.”

Group Dental Service offers a robust, market-leading network, including 130,000 provider locations.

Prudential will initially offer preferred provider and indemnity dental plans to employers with plans covering fewer than 1,000 employees and expects to begin offering quotes to clients and producers in the second quarter of the year for new business beginning in the third quarter. Over time the intent is to expand the offering to accommodate larger plans, as well.

“We’re excited about our partnership with Prudential,” said Ethan Foxman, president of Group Dental Service. “We look forward to leveraging our expertise in administering private-label dental programs, including network management and claim payment services, to provide the outstanding results and service Prudential’s clients expect.”

Group Dental Service, a Rockville, Md.-based provider of managed dental care services, was formed in 1965 by a pair of dentists interested in providing quality, cost-efficient dental services. The company has enjoyed a long-standing reputation for private-label expertise, stemming from their effective development, enhancement, and administration of dental programs for large organizations. Group Dental Service is an affiliate of Coventry Health Care, Inc.

Prudential’s Group Insurance business manufactures and distributes a full range of group life, long-term and short-term group disability, long-term care, and corporate and trust-owned life insurance in the U.S. to institutional clients primarily for use in connection with employee and membership benefits plans.

Group Insurance also sells accidental death and dismemberment and other ancillary coverages and provides plan administrative services in connection with its insurance coverages.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader with approximately $667 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2009, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Leveraging its heritage of life insurance and asset management expertise, Prudential is focused on helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth. In the U.S., the company’s Rock symbol is an icon of strength, stability, expertise and innovation that has stood the test of time. Prudential's businesses offer a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. For more information, please visit www.news.prudential.com.

Group Insurance coverages, life insurance, and annuities are issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, 751 Broad Street, Newark, NJ. Securities products and services are offered through Pruco Securities, LLC, 751 Broad Street, Newark, NJ. All are Prudential Financial companies. Prudential and the Rock logo are registered service marks of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.

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Prudential Financial, Inc.
Laurita Warner, 973-802-8614
[email protected]

Source: Prudential Financial, Inc.