Boise, Idaho – St. Luke’s Health Plan announced today that it will partner with Idaho's largest standalone dental insurance provider, Delta Dental of Idaho, to help bridge the gap in oral health and overall health through enhanced dental benefits for specific medical conditions.

“One of the core tenets of St. Luke’s Health Plan is removing barriers between health coverage and health care, and you can’t talk about removing barriers to care without considering the important role that oral health plays in a person’s overall health and wellness,” said St. Luke’s Health Plan President, Matt Wolff.

“This collaboration with Delta Dental of Idaho was founded on our shared commitment to improving the health of the communities we serve. It is a team effort toward further simplifying the coverage to care experience for our members.”

Under the partnership, large employers — organizations with more than 51 employees — can offer their employees both comprehensive medical and dental benefits that emphasize routine and preventive care. In addition, employees who have specific health needs, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and pregnancy, qualify for extra dental benefits, like additional cleanings or fluoride treatments, to help combat oral health issues associated with these conditions. 

“We know that more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases are linked to oral health, which is often one of the first indicators for many chronic conditions,” said Delta Dental of Idaho President and CEO Greg Donaca. “By partnering with St. Luke’s Health Plan, we can have closer collaboration between the dental and medical fields, ultimately leading to better overall health.”

This new program will be available starting Jan. 1, 2024, for large employer groups based in St. Luke’s Health Plan’s 20-county coverage area of southwest and south-central Idaho, which includes Ada, Canyon and Twin Falls counties.

Learn more about large employer coverage options from St. Luke’s Health Plan, contact [email protected], or contact the Delta Dental of Idaho sales team at [email protected] for more information about enhanced dental benefits.