Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC) today announced that it has again expanded its Lincoln DentalConnect® PPO Network to include more than 274,000 provider locations across the country, increasing unique providers to more than 89,000. The expanded dental network is a 15.6 percentage increase to Lincoln Financial’s nationwide network of dentists, according to Ignition Group’s March 2014 NetMinder report.

“Lincoln Financial continues to add networks to expand our provider depth and coverage,” said Chris Stevens, Vice President, Specialty Health for Lincoln Financial Group. “A larger network means more convenience and less disruption to employees. Adding new networks yields cost savings for our members because they can receive services at a lower negotiated fee when using an in-network provider for their dental services,” said Stevens.

Employers can share in the value of the expanded network. “Network growth helps streamline benefit costs and improve the overall claims experience,” said Stevens. Lincoln also uses active campaigns to promote network awareness and recruit providers. “Active campaigns help ensure employees are recognized as valued Lincoln DentalConnect® members when they visit their dentists,” said Stevens.

Lincoln also continues to offer a convenient “Find a Dentist” feature, which allows consumers to easily find a dentist by zip code, specialty or by last name, on the home page of its website, www.LincolnFinancial.com.

About Lincoln Financial Group's Group Protection Business

Backed by a long history of financial strength and stability, Lincoln Financial is a leader in the group insurance industry. We deliver a wide portfolio of financial protection solutions, including term life, disability, dental, accident, critical illness, universal life and vision insurance, with easy administration for our employer groups. By providing comprehensive benefit choices, along with education and tools, Lincoln Financial helps employees feel confident when selecting and using their benefits. Our distribution force of nearly 600 professionals, including sales professional and support teams, work to provide brokers with insurance protection and solutions that not only align with employer clients’ benefit strategy, and help them recruit and retain top talent, but also meet the unique needs of their employees.

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $207 billion as of December 31, 2013. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life, disability and dental insurance; employer-sponsored retirement plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

Note

The Lincoln DentalConnect® PPO Network is comprised of several leased provider networks.