Guardian Enhances Prepaid Dental Plans

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America announced a direct referral program that will give members of its prepaid dental HMO plan access to in-network specialist without advance authorization.

The program is aimed at providing faster, easier access to dental treatment, according to Guardian, New York.

Guardian's direct referral program allows members to see any in-network specialist with a specialty referral from their primary care dentist, to reduce wait times and cut administrative work for providers. The insurer, which provides employee and voluntary benefits to small and mid-sized employers, says it hopes the incentive will help it to retain providers and give members a wider selection of dentists.