THOUSAND OAKS, California – Blue Cross of California (Blue Cross) today announced that Dental Blue^® has become one of the largest dental PPO networks in the state with more than 18,600 provider locations across California. Dental Blue is a dental insurance program from affiliate BC Life & Health Insurance Company that gives employers - and their employees - the power to choose a dental plan tailored to meet their needs and budgets.

Designed to help increase access and affordability, Dental Blue features three tiers of provider networks with multiple price points, giving employees the freedom to access a larger network with controlled out-of-pocket costs. Now including 18,607 provider locations across the state, Dental Blue offers nearly 4,000 dental specialists, which participate in all three levels of the network. Dental Blue also offers discounts for a range of popular services, such as teeth whitening and braces.

"We understand the importance of having a healthy smile. Research shows that consumers understand the important connection between good oral health and overall wellness," said Derek Bridges, president, Dental and Vision, Blue Cross of California. "Offering one of the broadest dental PPO networks in California makes it easier for our customers to continue receiving care from the dentist they know and trust."

"Ensuring our members have a broad access to providers is very important to us," said Brian A. Sassi, president of Blue Cross of California. "Using an innovative model, Dental Blue has been able to combine affordability and increased access with one plan."

Dental Blue members may also now benefit from the availability of an enhanced version of Treatment Cost Advisor^SM, powered by Subimo, an innovative online cost-comparison tool that now offers dental procedure and service price comparisons to help Dental Blue members make informed dental care decisions and possibly reduce their out-of-pocket dental expenses. As part of Blue Cross of California's ongoing commitment to consumer-directed health care and cost transparency, the addition of dental data builds on the already comprehensive pricing comparison information for medical benefits.

Dental Blue is available from Blue Cross sales representatives statewide. More information is available at http://www.bluecrossca.com or by calling (888) 315-2049.

BC Life & Health Insurance Company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Association. The Blue Cross name and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association.

About Blue Cross of California:

Blue Cross of California is a subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP). WellPoint's mission is to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities. WellPoint, Inc. is the largest publicly traded commercial health benefits company in terms of membership in the United States. WellPoint, Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan counties and as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at http://www.wellpoint.com.

SOURCE: Blue Cross of California

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