Principal Announces Dental HMO Offering

November 1, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The Principal Financial Group has an agreement with SafeGuard Health Plans, Inc, to offer dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) coverage to customers in California, Florida and Texas.

According to the announcement, through SafeGuard, The Principal’s customers and potential customers can offer dental HMO coverage along with preferred provider organization coverage (PPO).

“This relationship is the beginning of a new strategy where we plan to work with similar companies in regional areas to provide one of the most comprehensive dental programs available,” saidTheresa McConeghey, dental product director for The Principal, in the announcement. “By working together with strategic partners, we’re able to leverage the strengths of these organizations to bring our customers more benefit design options along with a strong local presence and provider network.”

The Principal noted its DentalHealthEdge, located on www.principal.com , gives members access to information on procedures, treatment plans, network providers and basic oral health information. The site also includes a cost estimator, which calculates dental costs in a given zip code and a database of network providers who offer discounted charges and fees.

For more information about the SafeGuard plan visit www.safeguard.net .

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