Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota to offer Dental Plans with United Concordia Dental

Blue Cross Dental will be available starting in 2016

Eagan, Minnesota and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – September 15th, 2015 – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) today announced plans to offer dental products in 2016, the result of a new agreement with Pennsylvania-based United Concordia Dental.

The new dental portfolio, to be called Blue Cross Dental, will consist of a variety of comprehensive and low-cost preferred provider organization (PPO) products for purchase by individuals and businesses. It will offer a range of prices, cost-sharing and benefits, and provide access to United Concordia’s Advantage Plus 2.0 network. As one of the nation’s largest dental provider networks, Advantage Plus 2.0 offers deep discounts on services throughout the country. United Concordia will also administer and provide claims administration for the product portfolio in Minnesota.

“We believe that people want an option for more coordinated dental and medical coverage,” said David Corkum, senior vice president of commercial markets, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. “Aligning the expertise of Blue Cross and United Concordia makes a lot of sense. Not only will these new products provide an enhanced patient experience, but I believe they can help increase awareness of the important link between oral health and total health.”

“United Concordia is excited to bring our more than 40 years of experience in dental benefits to Minnesotans,” said F.G. “Chip” Merkel, president and chief executive officer, United Concordia Dental. “Our relationship with Blue Cross allows us to expand into the Midwest, offering us new opportunities for growth and demonstrating our commitment to wellness. We are well-positioned to help Blue Cross make a healthy difference in people’s lives – a mission that aligns with our own.”

Product benefits and prices are subject to regulatory review and approval by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Details will be available later this fall for 2016 coverage options.  

About United Concordia Dental

United Concordia Dental is an innovative dental wellness company working to deliver high-quality, cost-effective care. Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa., the company has more than 7.5 million members, one of the nation’s largest dentist networks, an AM Best A- (Excellent) rating and is licensed in all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico. United Concordia has a companywide dedication and commitment to superior customer service, which is evident in the design, implementation, administration and servicing of research-backed wellness programs. For more information about United Concordia products, visit www.UnitedConcordia.com.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

For more than 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com) has supported the health, wellbeing and peace of mind of our members by striving to ensure equitable access to high quality care at an affordable price. We are on a mission to inspire change, transform care and improve health for the people and communities we serve by reinventing both ourselves and the broader system. Our more than 2.5 million members can be found in every Minnesota county, all 50 states and on four continents. As a proud nonprofit organization, we believe working to advance wellness for all Minnesotans is the greatest investment we can make. Our goal is nothing less than for everyone to be able to achieve their full health potential, regardless of race or other socially defined circumstances. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, which serves more than 107 million members across the U.S.