Anthem DentalBlue Dental Insurance

Eligibility

Unclassified faculty, academic staff and short-term academic staff appointees, classified employees (including LTEs covered by the retirement system), graduate asssistants, fellows and scholars and employees in-training are eligible to enroll.

You must be eligible to enroll in the State of Wisconsin group health insurance program with either an immediate or future state share contribution.

Your eligible dependents may enroll. Domestic partners and their children are eligible under this plan.

Rehired annuitants receiving a Wisconsin Retirement System benefit are not eligible for this program.

WRS annuitants who are not covered under DentalBlue at the time of retirement may enroll during the open enrollment period by applying through the Office of State Employment Relations. Non-covered annuitants can click here for additional information.

Enrollment

The Anthem DentalBlue plans are offered under two different contracts. One is sponsored by the UWS and the other is sponsored by the Office of State Employment Relations (OSER). You may apply for coverage within 31 days of becoming eligible or during an open enrollment.

The UWS- sponsored plan:

Unclassified faculty, academic staff and short-term academic staff appointees, nonrepresented classified employees (including LTE's covered by the retirement system), non represented graduate assistants, fellows and scholars and employees in-training are eligible to enroll for single, employee + 1 or family (employee & 2+) coverage.

The OSER- sponsored plan:

All represented employees are eligible to enroll for single, employee plus 1 or family (employee & 2+) coverage. Important Note: The UWS and OSER plans are identical, however, represented employees may want to visit the OSER site for detailed information.

Program Features

With the Dentacare HMO option, you must use the Dentacare HMO dental providers to receive benefits. You may change Dentacare centers twice per calendar year if you desire.

• Review the Dentacare HMO Provider Directory
• Review the Dentacare HMO Benefit Handbook
• Instructions for navigating the Anthem DentalBlue On-Line Provider Directory Guide

The Preferred PPO option allows you to see the dentist of your choice. However, your out-of-pocket costs will be lower if you select a dental provider who is affiliated with DentalBlue as you will receive a higher level of coverage.

• Review the Preferred PPO Provider Directory
• Review the Preferred PPO Benefit Handbook
• Instructions for navigating the Anthem DentalBlue On-Line Provider Directory Guide

The Supplemental Plan is specifically designed to wrap around your health plan's dental benefits. To be eligible for the Supplemental Plan, your health plan must provide routine diagnostic and preventative coverage. If you change health plans and your new health plan does not cover diagnostic and preventative dental services, you must submit an application to cancel your coverage or change to the Dentacare HMO or Preferred PPO. The application must be submitted to your Staff Benefits office within 30 days of your change in health plans.

The Supplemental Plan does not cover annual cleanings or x-rays as these are typically covered by those specific health plans that provide routine dental coverage. Fillings are covered, as are services such as crowns, bridges, complex endodontics and periodontics. While not required, selecting a PPO provider may provide a lower employee "out of pocket" cost after co-insurance is applied. Please check what your health plan provides prior to enrolling.

• Review the PPO Provider Directory
• Review the Supplemental Plan Benefit Handbook
• Instructions for navigating the Anthem DentalBlue On-Line Provider Directory Guide

Premuim

You can select the Dentacare HMO, Preferred PPO or the Supplemental Plan. The benefits vary between the options so consider the provider restrictions, office visit copayments, coverage levels and annual maximums of each option.

For 2008 comparison charts and premium information see: www.uwsa.edu/hr/benefits/ins/dentcomp_2008.pdf

There is a 3-month waiting period before basic and major services are covered for new enrollees under the Preferred PPO or the Supplemental Plan.

Application

Print the application and submit the completed application to your staff benefits office within 31 days of eligibility. The same application is used for both the UWS-sponsored and the OSER-sponsored plans.

Other Information about the Anthem DentalBlue plans:
Frequently Asked Questions
Domestic Partner Affidavit
Group Coverage Continuation Form
OSER's website

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This document was last revised on May 1, 2008