New Dental Plan Offered Through Chambers Of Commerce

HARTFORD (AP) — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is offering dental insurance for the first time to employees of 40,000 businesses through local chambers of commerce in Connecticut.

Steve Glick, administrator of the Chamber Insurance Trust, said dental insurance is the second-most sought-after benefit, following health care insurance.

As many as 400,000 employees plus their spouses and family members are eligible for the program, which is set to start January 1.

Members can pay $18 to $19 a month depending on age and location and up to $50 to $80 a month for plans that pay for implants and other costly work.

Christopher Condon, specialty sales manager at Anthem, said Connecticut employers typically pay two-thirds of health care costs.