Delta Dental of Arizona Extends Its COVID-19 Relief for Group Dental Customers
State’s largest dental insurer offers 25% premium credit, renewal rate freeze amid COVID-19 crisis
GLENDALE, Ariz. (May 6, 2020) — Recognizing that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for businesses, Delta Dental of Arizona, the state’s top-rated dental insurance company announced plans to provide a 25% premium credit to its fully-insured group dental clients. The move provides more than $3 million in relief to more than 2,900 companies statewide.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most dental offices temporarily closed for non-emergency procedures during the last 30-45 days and, as a result, many of our enrollees put off care until dental offices re-opened. These extenuating circumstances resulted in many employers paying premiums for benefits that they may feel couldn’t be fully utilized by their employees,” said Allan Allford, president/CEO of Delta Dental of Arizona. “Over our nearly 50-year history, we've made it a point to do the right thing for the communities we serve, and this is no exception.”
The premium credit is based on the group’s subscribership for April and May 2020, equals 25% of the combined April and May dental premium and will be applied to the group’s June dental premium. To qualify for the premium credit, the group must:
- Be fully insured
- Have a dental contract with Delta Dental of Arizona during April 1 – June 30, 2020
- Not have submitted notice of termination
This isn’t Delta Dental of Arizona’s only gesture to support group policyholders amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, the dental insurer announced it was freezing rates for Delta Dental of Arizona clients with 2-199 enrolled employees that renew PPO dental and/or vision plans May 1 through August 1, 2020. As a result, approximately, 650 small- to medium-sized businesses will not get an increase in rates and will continue to benefit from the same competitive premium rate for another 12 months.
“We don’t intend to profit from this crisis. As a nonprofit dental service organization, we are committed to protecting all Arizonans’ smiles. A key to doing that is by providing affordable benefits packages and superior service to our clients.” Allford said.
For more information on Delta Dental of Arizona’s efforts to support its stakeholders during COVID-19, visit https://deltadentalaz.com/about-delta-dental/press-releases.asp.
About Delta Dental of Arizona
Delta Dental of Arizona is the leading dental benefits provider in Arizona, serving more than 1.2 million enrollees and more than 3,500 contracted dentists across the state. Passionate about oral health and its importance to generations of families, Delta Dental of Arizona has worked for more than 45 years to improve oral health by emphasizing preventive care and making dental coverage accessible to a wide variety of employers, groups and individuals. Since 2010, Delta Dental of Arizona, through its Foundation, gave $7 million to support oral health education and disease prevention programs for underserved and uninsured communities across the state. For more information about Delta Dental of Arizona, visit www.deltadentalaz.com.