Covered Calif. To Offer Optional Family Dental Coverage in 2015
Covered California has announced that it will offer optional family dental coverage as an add-on plan for an additional cost beginning in 2015, the Central Valley Business Times reports (Central Valley Business Times, 8/21).
Background
In January, the Covered California board of directors voted to require all children's health plans offered through the insurance exchange to include pediatric dental coverage as an essential health benefit beginning in 2015.
Currently, pediatric dental care is provided as a side benefit through Covered California (California Healthline, 1/27).
Details of Family Dental Plans
The added family dental plan offerings are intended to provide coverage to adults. Officials said the main reason consumers might choose to add children to this coverage is if their preferred dentist is not included in the child's dental plan.
The optional family dental coverage will be offered by:
- Access Dental Plan;
- Anthem Blue Cross;
- Blue Shield of California;
- Delta Dental of California;
- Dental Health Services; and
- Premier Access (Covered California release, 8/20).
The coverage will include:
- Dental health maintenance organizations; and
- Dental preferred provider organizations.
Officials said the dental plans will be available to consumers in early 2015, not when open enrollment begins on Nov. 15 (Central Valley Business Times, 8/21).
According to the release, financial assistance will not be available to help purchase the coverage (Covered California release, 8/20).
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