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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas News
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Launches an Integrated Medical-Dental Health Program
RICHARDSON, Texas,
Research continues to show a potential link between oral care and overall health. Through BlueCare Dental Connection, BCBSTX can utilize medical and dental claim information to identify members at risk with health conditions complicated by dental disease, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and pregnancy. By analyzing this claim data, BCBSTX hopes to proactively reach out to these members and influence their behavior before any adverse conditions escalate further. In addition, BCBSTX is reaching out to select members determined to be at risk for dental caries or periodontal (gum) disease in an effort to minimize or prevent these dental conditions early on. The goal of the BlueCare Dental Connection program, which is available at no cost to members who carry BCBSTX medical and dental insurance, is to help members identify potential opportunities for dental health intervention and prevention and realize the benefits to their overall health.
Targeted intervention to these at-risk members will be accomplished through a coordinated effort of mailings and staff outreach in addition to expanded web tools and information on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas web site.
"We feel this program is both critical in maintaining our members' overall health and assisting us in reducing the ever-increasing costs of healthcare," states
The health insurer is launching an educational content webpage called The Dental Wellness Center at http://www.bcbstx.com/employer/bc_dental_connection.htm). The site will host current educational articles, information on specific medical conditions and their relationship to oral health, along with feature rich tools.
"Consumers have a growing need for dental information," continued
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas — the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas — is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 40,000 physicians and 400 hospitals to serve 3.8 million members in all 254 counties. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is a division of Health Care Services Corporation (HCSC), which also operates the Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New
Dental Network of America (DNoA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC). DNoA acts as the administrator for all HCSC dental programs, including BlueCare Dental Connection, providing comprehensive administrative support. DNoA also offers services in proprietary network development, actuarial, underwriting, marketing and sales support to their clients. Dental products are administered for groups with as few as two employees to thousands of employees. DNoA currently works with over 91,000 dentist access points nationally, ensuring high quality and affordable dental care to its members and clients.
SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
