Minn. non-profit to offer LTC resident dental plan

A Minnesota nonprofit group has announced a pilot program thatoffers dental insurance specifically designed for long-term-careresidents and their families.  Care facilities that join will offer the insurance, said Dr. Michael Helgeson, chief executive officer of Apple Tree Dental.  The nonprofit group will refer patients to their regular dentists.If a patient doesn’t have a regular dentist, Apple Tree will providedental care on-site.  The insurance plan was announced Thursday night. The organizationwill start providing mobile dental service in July to residents ofRochester-area nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and homes forpeople with special needs, Helgeson said. The insurance will be offeredonly in the Twin Cities and Rochester area at first, he said.  The dental plan has no deductible and covers fillings, singledentures, crowns, root canals and treatment for gum disease at 100percent. There are additional costs if the annual maximum of $2,000 isexceeded.  It’s less expensive to provide dental insurance than to pay forstaff and transportation for one dental visit outside a nursing home,Helgeson said.

Source/more:  Rochester MN Post Bulletin, http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=329671&z=2