Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama has begun accepting applications for its new dental insurance plan for members already covered by its Individual Blue insurance policy, both family and individual plans. The Individual Blue Dental option is available first to its current members and includes covered benefits like exams, x-rays, cleaning, filling, root canals, oral surgery and more. The only thing that is not covered is implants and other high-end cosmetic procedures.

Applying for Blue Cross Dental Coverage

If you already have a BCBS individual plan, just call your Blue Cross agent or representation to add the dental plan to your existing PPO plan or just log on to the website address your agent will provide, add your Dental verification code, fill in brief application form.

You will have to accept a quick disclosure before approval. It mainly states ” I understand that the rider will not be effective until you accept this application. If you accept this application, you will send me the dental rider booklet along with a new identification card showing the date my dental rider coverage begins”.

The monthly cost of $17 per individual or $47 per family will be applied to your account. If you have questions or need more information call Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama at 1 877 791-4190 or visit www.ibcbsal.com/smile

Individual Blue Dental PPO Network

About 85% of the dentists in Alabama have join the program. Here are how preferred and non preferred dentist services are covered under the program:

• All preferred dentist agree that Blue Cross payment is payment in full except for deductibles and coinsurnace. If you are covered under another dental plan, a preferred dentist may bill that plan for any difference between the allowable amount and his / her usual charge for a service
• Non-preferred dentists outside the state of Alabama may charge you the difference between the allowable amount and their billed charges
• There is no coverage under the plan for services provided by non-preferred dentists in the state of Alabama. You will be responsible for payment of the full amount of the dentist’s actual charges.
• Preferred dentists may not collect their fee for plan benefits from you except for deductibles and coinsurance. They must bill BCBS first except for services which are not plan benefits, such as implants.

Benefits

• There is a $50 deductible per member for each calendar year
• $1000 maximum benefit per member for each calendar year
• 100% coverage for diagnostic and preventive services which mainly includes exams and cleaning, including fluoride treatment
• 75% coverage for restorative procedures like fillings, tooth extractions, treatment for pain and synthetic tooth color materials
• 50% coverage for supplemental services which includes oral surgery and anesthesia
• 50% coverage for periodontic services like bone and gum disease treatment and gum reconstruction

Eligibility

To be eligible for dental coverage you must apply and be accepted into one of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s Individual Blue Health Plans, Single Individual Blue or Family Individual Blue. If you do not add dental when you apply for health coverage, you will only be eligible to add dental coverage during annual open enrollment for a January 1 effective date. In fact, you must apply by December 15th, 2009.

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