The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, a provider of employee and voluntary benefits for small and mid-sized companies, unveiled its Direct Referral program that will give dental HMO/pre-paid plan members access to any in-network specialist without pre-authorization.

The company said the move will provide faster, easier access to important treatment.

Through Guardian’s Direct Referral Program, plan members can see any in-network specialist with a specialty referral from their primary care dentist, reducing wait times, a common issue for DHMO/pre-paid plans, according to the insurer The program also lessens the administrative work for providers, an incentive that promotes provider retention which helps to expand the network offering members a wider selection of dentists, the company said.

“The goal of dental benefits is to help individuals maintain or improve their oral health which, studies show, is directly connected to overall health,” said Chris Swanker, vice president of Guardian Group Dental, in a statement. “Dental insurance is an affordable and highly valued benefit. In today’s economy, business owners are looking to manage their benefit costs while providing coverage that promotes oral health, which can have an impact on employees’ overall health and the overall cost of care.”

Guardian’s Direct Referral Program is available for all Managed DentalGuard DHMO/Pre-Paid plans, as well as Managed Dental Care and FCW plans, the company said.