BOSTON, Feb. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Access to dental services continues to be an issue for many Americans, with the American Dental Association reporting that 1 in 3 Americans face challenges finding dental care.

That's why 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—making it one of the largest dental networks in the country and a better choice for large Massachusetts-based companies and their employees.  

"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 an 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 newly expanded network offers a seamless experience for members—it's available at no additional cost, and members can continue to search for and access services in the same way—by using our Find a Doctor tool to locate a contracted dental provider anywhere in the country. In addition, there will be no changes to the claims process. Members can continue to view both medical and dental claims on the MyBlue Member Portal or MyBlue Member App.

Fastest-growing dental plan in Massachusetts
The expanded network has helped make Dental Blue the fastest-growing dental plan in the state, approaching a million members.

"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," added 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."

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not–for–profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We're the trusted health plan for more than 25,000 Massachusetts employers and are committed to working with others in a spirit of shared responsibility to make quality health care affordable. Consistent with our corporate promise to always put our 2.8 million members first, we're rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. We offer additional benefits like dental, vision, life, and disability through our Specialty Benefits area, which includes Indigo Insurance Services and Blue Benefit Administrators, our third-party medical claims administrator.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts