If you are already covered under any of these plans, the Annual Change Opportunity also runs from October 9 - October 27, 2006. During this period you can add eligible dependents or change to a different offered DentalBlue plan. Coverage changes will be effective on January 1, 2007.

Represented and nonrepresented employees, faculty, academic staff and graduate assistants may enroll in one of three dental plans offered by DentalBlue: Dentacare HMO, Dentacare PPO and the Supplemental Plan which is designed to "wrap around" the limited dental coverage provided by some participating health plans.

Who is eligible to participate in these Dentacare Plans?

The Dentacare 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).

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 plus 1 or family coverage.

The OSER- sponsored plan:

All represented employees are eligible to enroll for single, employee plus 1 or family coverage. Important Note: The UWS and OSER plans are virtually identical, however, represented employees should visit the OSER site for detailed information.

What 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.

For a comparison chart and premium information see:
www.uwsa.edu/hr/benefits/ins/dentcomp_2007.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.

• 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.

Represented employees must use the application found at OSER's website.

Other Information about the UWS - sponsored plans:
Frequently Asked Questions
Domestic Partner Affidavit

If you have any questions regarding this information please contact Human Resources at 836-6007 or email UWEC Human Resources.