Effective January 1, 2019, there will be changes to the supplemental benefit plans. Most of the changes are specific to the supplemental dental insurance plans; therefore, this article focuses on the supplemental dental plans.
How do the upcoming supplemental plan changes affect current participants?
Dental WI and EPIC Benefits+ will no longer administer any supplemental insurance plans in 2019.
Employees currently enrolled in any of the plans with Dental WI and/or EPIC Benefits+ will be required to make a new dental plan election during the Annual Benefits Enrollment (ABE) period, October 1 – 26, 2018 (if they wish to have supplemental dental coverage in 2019).
Why are changes being made to the supplemental dental insurance plans?
Changes are being made to reduce benefit overlap, streamline the claims filing process for you and your dentist and to reduce the overall complexity of dental plan options. Due to these changes, you should be able to more easily determine which supplemental plan is best for you and your family.
Who will administer the supplemental dental plans in 2019?
Delta Dental will administer the supplemental dental insurance plans in 2019. Since Uniform Dental is already currently administered by Delta Dental, this will ensure that the plans do not duplicate coverage (i.e. preventive care will only be covered by Uniform Dental).
Will I be able to enroll in more than one supplemental dental plan in 2019?
No. There will be two supplemental dental insurance plans offered in 2019, the Select Plan and the Select Plus Plan; however, in 2019, you will only be able to enroll in one supplemental dental plan.
What are the main differences between the two supplemental dental plans offered in 2019?
The main differences between the plans are premium cost, annual maximums, the coinsurance amounts and whether orthodontia is covered.
What are the main enhancements to the supplemental dental plans for 2019?
One of the main enhancements is that there will not be any waiting periods before supplemental dental benefits take effect. Another enhancement is that the Select Plus Plan will cover adult orthodontia at 50% up to a lifetime maximum of $1,500; whereas in the past, some of the supplemental dental plans included orthodontia coverage; however, it was limited to dependents up to the age of 19.
Are there any dental services that were covered by the supplemental plans through Dental WI and/or EPIC Benefits+ that will no longer be covered by the supplemental plans through Delta Dental?
Neither of the supplemental dental plans with Delta Dental will cover preventive services; however, preventive services are covered by the Uniform Dental plan with Delta Dental.
To enroll in the Uniform Dental plan, employees must be enrolled in a State Group Health Insurance plan. If enrolled in a State Group Health Insurance plan, employees have the option of enrolling in the Uniform Dental plan.
Additional information regarding 2019 supplemental benefit plan changes, including premium rates, will be communicated during ABE, October 1 – 26, 2018. Please contact Human Resources at (920) 465-2390 or payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu with immediate questions.
Source: UW System HR