Dental Network Of America Inc. Launches Integrated Medical-Dental Health Program
Oakbrook Terrace, IL - Dental Network of America Inc. (DNoA) announced recently the availability of a new integrated medical-dental program for its clients. The new program is now being utilized by Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company (HCSC) at its Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in Illinois, New Mexico, and Texas. HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Research continues to show a potential link between oral and overall health, and the benefits of preventive dental care. DNoA created their unique program, custom branded BlueCare Dental Connection(sm) for HCSC, to provide members the educational tools and information they need to make better decisions about when and where to receive dental care. The program delivers this informative content through two methods: Targeted disease management style interventions to high risk members and generally available wellness information over the internet.
Dentists have long known that some members are at higher risk for periodontal disease and dental caries than others. Additionally, emerging research has focused on how medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and preterm / low birth weight deliveries, may be more complicated and expensive to treat in the presence of dental disease. DNoA resources are focused on identifying these high risk members and performing targeted interventions to influence their behavior.
DNoA first reviews dental claims data to identify high risk members. However, unlike dental plan administrators that only have access to dental data, DNoA clients, like HCSC who are also the member's medical insurer, DNoA is uniquely positioned to identify members with specific medical conditions and deliver customized educational content. Targeted intervention is accomplished through coordinated mailings, newsletters, and expanded web tools.
DNoA is also positioned to deliver wellness information to dental members. As part of this effort to provide members with access to leading edge research and online support tools, DNoA is providing The Dental Wellness Center which will host current educational articles, information on specific medical conditions such as Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Pregnancy and their relationship to oral health, and a Dental Dictionary of terms. The Dental Wellness Center also has feature rich, interactive tools such as "Ask a Dentist", enabling members to ask and receive answers to general clinical questions via email within 24 hours, and "Dental Cost Advisor", providing members quick and easy access to average price ranges for any dental service targeted to any particular region in the country. Through the "Provider Finder" function, members can not only find network dentists, but also dentists with that have had their claims utilization reviewed and certified by a third party.
"DNoA works with its clients to offer employer groups ways to reduce benefit costs and improve the health and wellness of their employees. Our clients have applied disease management and wellness concepts in medical, and DNoA is taking a leadership role in expanding their use in dental" stated Steve Klister, President and CEO of DNoA.
DNoA created BlueCare Dental Connection(sm) as another tool for HCSC to use in this effort. HCSC will be offering this program at no additional charge to all their individual and group members having both medical and dental coverage.
DNoA is now offering this medical-dental integration program to other medical insurers and can create custom branding and administration. This program positions DNoA as a leader in the movement to leverage medical information in the administration of dental benefits. "Members are the real winners because they have the needed information to make better decisions, which can lead to improved health outcomes and reduced costs," added Klister.
SOURCE: Dental Network of America Inc.