BC-MI-HAP-Delta-Dental

To: STATE EDITORS

Contact: Tiffany Baker, MA, Public Relations Specialist, +1-248-443-1072,

tbaker3@hap.org , or Susan Schwandt, APR, Public Relations Director,

+1-248-443-1076, sschwan1@hap.org, both of HAP; or Kristin Kovach, Public

Relations Specialist of Delta Dental of Michigan, +1-517-347-5244,

kkovach@deltadentalmi.com

DETROIT, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Recognizing the value of oral

health to overall health, Detroit-based Health Alliance Plan (HAP), in

partnership with Delta Dental of Michigan, successfully launched a dental

coverage option for the region’s eligible Medicare beneficiaries. To date,

more than 1,600 Medicare beneficiaries have enrolled in one of HAP’s 2008

Medicare Advantage products with the Delta Dental benefit.

HAP formed the partnership with Delta Dental as a result of customer

feedback indicating that members would like to have access to medical,

prescription and dental benefits under a single Medicare plan.

“We are pleased to partner with Delta Dentalâ€"the state’s leader in

dental benefitsâ€"to deliver high-quality care, reduce out-of-pocket costs and

provide financial protection against unexpected dental expenses for Medicare

beneficiaries,†said Karen Wintringham, Vice President, Medicare and Public

Sector Programs.â€

Beneficiaries who enroll in HAP Senior Plus HMO or Alliance Medicare PPO

plans can add coverage for dental services, including x-rays, oral surgery,

fillings, crowns and routine cleanings. An additional premium for the dental

option starts as low as $22.20 per month. HAP has set up a seamless billing

and payment system so members only have to submit one monthly payment to HAP

for medical, prescription and dental benefits. Under the Delta Dental plan,

enrollees can use any dentist, but receive additional savings by visiting

dentists who participate with the Delta Dental PPO network, among the largest

in the state and nation. Customer service is supported by experienced staff

within each organization.

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with HAP to bring dental coverage

to Michigan’s Medicare beneficiaries,†said Charles D. Floyd, Executive

Vice President of Sales, Actuarial, and Underwriting for Delta Dental. “HAP

and Delta Dental are committed to helping seniors take good care of their

total health.â€

HAP has more than 28,200 Medicare Advantage members, with over 22,800 in

the HAP Senior Plus HMO; 1,600 in the Alliance Medicare PPO; and 3,700 in the

Alliance Medicare Rx prescription drug plan.

IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES:

The Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage runs from January 1

through March 31. During this period, anyone with Original Medicare or a

Medicare Advantage plan can switch plans once. Any switch made during the Open

Enrollment Period generally will be effective on the first day of the month

following the date the plan receives your request. Enrollees must sign up for

a Medicare Advantage plan (HMO or PPO) to be eligible for the dental coverage

option. These members will receive the fitness benefit at no charge and can

elect to enroll in the dental plan throughout this Period.

For more information about the Open Enrollment Period, HAP’s Medicare

Advantage Plans and the optional dental and fitness benefits, call

1-800-868-3153.

About HAP

Headquartered in Detroit, Health Alliance Plan is a nonprofit health plan

serving 540,000 members and 2,000 employer groups. HAP is a subsidiary of the

Henry Ford Health System, one of the nation's leading regional health care

systems. HAP Senior Plus and Alliance Medicare PPO are Medicare-approved

health plans. Alliance Medicare PPO is a product of Alliance Health and Life

Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of HAP. The National Committee

for Quality Assurance awarded HAP's commercial HMO and HAP Senior Plus, its

Medicare Advantage HMO, Excellent Accreditation.

About Delta Dental of Michigan

Delta Dental of Michigan, with affiliates in Ohio, Indiana, and Tennessee,

is one of the largest dental plan administrators in the nation. Offices are

located in Okemos and Farmington Hills, Michigan; Columbus and Cleveland,

Ohio; Indianapolis and Greenwood, Indiana; and, Nashville, Knoxville, and

Memphis, Tennessee. Delta Dental plans are members of the Delta Dental Plans

Association, a nationwide system of independently operated dental health

service plans. Together, the plans cover more than 50 million Americans and

operate the nation’s largest network of participating dentists. The purpose

of Delta Dental is to advance and promote the improvement of oral health by

offering innovative, cost-effective coverage that meets the needs of customers

and enrollees.

SOURCE Health Alliance Plan

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