DentalBlue Open Enrollment Opportunity

Nonrepresented employees, faculty and academic staff have an open enrollment opportunity from March 1 - 19, 2004 to enroll in one of three dental plans offered by DentalBlue. Elections made during the open enrollment period will have a coverage effective date of April 1, 2004. DentalBlue is offering three plan options: Dentacare HMO, Dentacare PPO and the Supplemental Plan which is designed to "wrap around" the limited dental coverage provided by some participating health plans. See also the DentalBlue Open Enrollment Notice.

Who is eligible to participate in the open enrollment?

What new coverage options are available?

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. See http://www.uwsa.edu/hr/benefits/ins/dentcomp.pdf for a comparison chart and premium information.

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

• The Dentacare HMO option is the same as the Dentacare 186 plan offered in the past. You must use the Dentacare HMO dental providers to receive benefits. You may now change Dentacare centers twice per calendar year if you desire. In the past, Dentacare centers could only be changed during an open enrollment.
  
  • Review the Dentacare HMO Provider Directory
  • Review the Dentacare HMO handbook

• 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 handbook

• The Supplemental Plan is specifically designed to wrap around the health plans' dental benefits. It is not recommended if you are enrolled in the Standard Plan, SMP or Gundersen Lutheran or if you do not use the dental benefits offered by your health plan. 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 slightly lower employee "out of pocket" cost after co-insurance is applied. Please check what your health plan provides prior to enrolling.
  
  • Review the Supplemental Plan handbook

What if I'm currently enrolled in Dentacare 186?

You may participate in the open enrollment period if you are currently covered under Dentacare 186, now called the Dentacare HMO. No waiting period for coverage of basic or major is required if you elect to change to the Preferred PPO or the Supplemental Plan during the open enrollment period as you are not a new enrollee. If you are satisfied with Dentacare 186, you do need to do anything other than review the new premiums rates. You will automatically be switched to the Dentacare HMO.

How do I apply?

The application is available on line at http://www.uwsa.edu/hr/benefits/ins/uws60.pdf or you can contact your staff benefits office for an application. Return the completed application to your staff benefits office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2004.

Other Information:
Frequently Asked Questions
Domestic Partner Affavidavit

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This document was last revised on August 26, 2002