Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana and Delta Dental Insurance Announce Exciting New Partnership 

November 27 , 2007

Helena, Montana — Today, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) and Delta Dental Insurance Company announced a partnership between the two companies that will provide affordable and flexible dental coverage for BCBSMT groups across the state.

According to Jared Short, BCBSMT’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, “We are delighted to be partnering with an organization of Delta Dental’s caliber.  It will allow us to significantly expand the dental coverage options available to our groups throughout Montana.” 

Delta Dental pioneered the first dental benefits program more than 50 years ago.  Today, it provides coverage to more than 50 million members nationwide, and it has the largest dental networks in the country.

With three out of four dentists nationally participating in the Delta network, BCBSMT groups will have greater access to network dentists but will still have the freedom to choose any dentist for services.  Through this partnership, BCBSMT will work with Delta Dental to develop innovative products and services to meet the specific needs of BCBSMT’s groups. 

Delta Dental Insurance Company, headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia with a regional office in Helena, has 23,000 enrollees statewide.  The partnership with BCBSMT will allow the company to continue to grow and add to its already extensive dental network of 170 Delta Dental Premier dentists statewide.    

“Our partnership with Montana dentists and working knowledge of the unique oral health challenges and needs of individual communities within Montana will provide tangible benefits to BCBSMT’s members and their dentists,” said Marilynn Belek, DMD, Delta Dental’s chief dental officer. 

Future plans for the partnership include support of community oral health clinics to increase community awareness about the importance of appropriate preventive dental care.