Natural State News

As struggles related to the COVID-19 pandemic mounted in 2020, Delta Dental of Arkansas cemented its place in the state as a good neighbor.

PR Newswire reported Delta Dental of Arkansas provided $27.4 million in direct COVID-19 relief funding during the year while initiating rate holds, grace periods for premium payments, easing eligibility requirements for coverage and initiating telecommuting for its employees to ensure a safe work environment.

Those benefitting from Delta’s actions included its network group clients and members, dentists, state nonprofit and community organizations in addition to employees.

Among the financial support programs launches were Premium Holiday which involved $22.6 million in premium and administrative fee credits provided to group clients. A credit of at least one month’s premium or administrative fee for both dental and vision was supplied to group clients. A total of $793,000 in commissions was paid to insurance agents.

The Advance Receipts Program provided $1.3 million in interest-free loans to dental-free practices closed and limited to providing emergency services during the first two months of the outbreak. Those loans have been paid back in full.

Arkansas network dentists received 2.175 million in Reopening Readiness Grants for PPE and sanitation supplies for reopening their practices during the month of May.

Arkansas Delta Dental also provided $532,500 in grants to 90 nonprofits.

"Arkansans have relied on Delta Dental as a committed business and community partner since 1982," President and CEO Ed Choate said. "We take that responsibility very seriously. So, when the COVID-19 crisis hit, our first reaction was: 'How can we find ways to immediately support our network dentists, business clients, members and community partners with the challenges they were facing?'"

Other examples of assistance provided included rate holds or rate increases that were slowed down for the majority of group clients through the end of 2020. Coverage eligibility requirements were eased to assist employees of group clients that were furloughed or laid off on a temporary basis.

Delta was able to preserve its workforce and provided for a transition to working remotely for 97% of its workforce. Stipends were provided to help facilitate the transition.

The funding to navigate the pandemic was part of the $1.1 billion in COVID-19 relief funding provided by the Delta Dental Plans Association, a not-for-profit national association of 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Delta Dental of Arkansas has enjoyed almost 40 years of history with the state.