CONCORD, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Recognizing that oral and overall health are linked, Tufts Health Freedom Plan and Northeast Delta Dental today announced a new partnership with the goal of improving the overall health of Tufts Health Freedom Plan members.
Tufts Health Freedom Plan and Northeast Delta Dental will work closely to identify opportunities for better care coordination to improve the oral and overall health of Tufts Health Freedom Plan and Northeast Delta Dental members. This unique partnership provides additional preventive dental care to those who are at risk for dental disease that can exacerbate chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. As part of the arrangement, Northeast Delta Dental becomes a minority stakeholder in Tufts Health Freedom Plan, jointly owned by Tufts Health Plan and Granite Health.
“We are pleased to partner with Tufts Health Freedom Plan to bring oral health and overall health to the forefront,” said Tom Raffio, president & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental. “We know that a person’s oral health is closely tied to their overall health, and we are hopeful this partnership will allow us to intercept oral disease and help those with underlying medical conditions achieve their personal best health.”
Employers will be offered a reduced premium when they purchase medical benefits from Tufts Health Freedom Plan and dental coverage from Northeast Delta Dental. “Our customers in New Hampshire will see the real benefits of this joint clinical effort, not only in improved health, but with an improved bottom line,” said Brian Wells, president of Tufts Health Freedom Plan.
In 2013, Northeast Delta Dental launched the patient-centered oral health program, Health through Oral Wellness® (HOW®) which empowers patients to take control of their oral health. Based on the need of care and oral health disease risk, the HOW® program provides enhanced preventive benefits including fluoride varnishes and sealants for adults, tobacco cessation counseling, nutrition counseling, and additional dental cleanings.
Added Wells: “Our collaboration with Granite Health showcases our commitment to finding innovative solutions to increase care coordination, improve access to health management programs while reducing health care costs. Because of the success of the HOW® program, a dental-medical partnership was a next logical step.”
“We are excited to be partnering with Northeast Delta Dental and continuing to contribute value to Tufts Health Freedom Plan by improving care for New Hampshire patients,” said Rachel Rowe, president & CEO of Granite Health. “Because oral health and overall health are linked, especially for higher risk populations, optimally managing both medical and dental care should result in improved overall health and cost savings.”
For more information on coverage and offerings, visit THFP.com or call 603-228-7450.
About Tufts Health Freedom Plan
Tufts Health Freedom Plan is
an innovative joint venture between Tufts Health Plan and Granite Health
formed out of a shared commitment to coordinating care and promoting
evidence-based care practices to achieve the best health outcomes for
members. Established in 2015, Tufts Health Freedom Plan was created to
meet the needs of the residents of New Hampshire and provide superior
care management along with innovative health insurance products. Five
Granite Health systems - Catholic Medical Center, Concord Hospital,
LRGHealthcare, Southern New Hampshire Health System and
Wentworth-Douglass Health System - form the core of Tufts Health Freedom
Plan’s provider network.
About Northeast Delta Dental
Northeast Delta Dental
administers dental benefits for more than 825,000 people in Maine, New
Hampshire and Vermont, offering dental insurance programs for companies
of all sizes, and individuals and families with no access to
employer-sponsored dental benefits. The Northeast Delta Dental
Foundation awards grants to non-profit organizations that offer programs
and services to improve oral health and access to dental care. Learn
more at nedelta.com.
About Granite Health
Granite Health is a partnership of six
of the largest health systems in New Hampshire. The organization was
established in 2011 and focuses on developing a robust population health
management program, sharing resources for operational savings, and
advancing an insurance strategy.
