Sun, sand, and a root canal! Not a natural combination, we know, but that’s exactly what all Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina and BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina members can get, now that they have access to dental services overseas through Companion Global Dental. If other insurers follow suit, it could encourage more Americans to leave the country to get their teeth fixed.
Companion Global Healthcare was already offering Blue Cross and Blue Choice plan members medical and surgical coverage at accredited hospitals abroad. Now Companion Global Dental has formed an affiliation with Prisma Dental Clinic and Meza Dental Care, in San Jose, Costa Rica.
These are the first two dental clinics in the company's international network and according to Phil Midden, manager of complementary health care programs at S.C. Blue Cross, dental treatments in Costa Rica will save Americans a bundle. All dental procedures covered by insurance in the U.S. will be covered in Costa Rica, too.
"Many Americans need important dental care, and offering an international network is a natural next step for those wishing to travel for that care," said Midden in a press release. "Continuing to expand our global alternatives by adding dental services reflects our ongoing commitment to help members seek the services they want at competitive prices."
Companion Global works on a contract basis with insurance companies and employers. It also specializes in getting uninsured individuals dental care abroad.
