Medical plans to include preventive dental for 2016
October 27, 2015
The addition of preventive dental procedures to all three 2016 medical plans is one of many enhancements introduced with the beginning of open enrollment, which kicked off Monday (Oct. 26).
Beginning Jan. 1, all benefits-eligible employees and dependents who elect medical coverage will automatically receive preventive dental coverage -- two cleanings, one fluoride treatment (up to age 19) and standard X-rays up to a $500 per person maximum -- through Delta Dental. For that coverage, there will be no additional cost to employees.
As part of the agreement with Delta Dental, all benefits-eligible employees covered on a Purdue medical plan, as well as their covered dependents, will receive Delta Dental discounts, which average 30 to 35 percent, for all procedures done by an in-network dentist that are not considered preventive. Two buy-up options are available if coverage beyond preventive care is desired.
Information on Purdue's dental coverage, including how to find participating dentists, is easily accessible on the Benefits website.
"This speaks volumes about what we've been able to do as educated health care consumers," says Eva Nodine, director of benefits in Human Resources. "Purdue employees have done an excellent job of shopping for health coverage using the Castlight tool. This smart consumerism, in conjunction with the change to Anthem as our medical vendor in 2014, has saved employees money and allowed the University to maintain stable premiums for three years in a row. Being able to add preventive dental -- along with the other improvements to the plans this year -- is quite an accomplishment and we should be proud of ourselves."
Delta Dental representative to be available
As an additional resource for employees regarding dental coverage for 2016, there will be a representative from Delta Dental on site for the following walk-in enrollment sessions and labs.
* Thursday (Oct. 29) -- 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Freehafer Hall, Room 1-5 (lab) and 2-3:30 p.m. Stewart Center, Room 279 (presentation).
* Monday (Nov. 2) -- 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Physics Building, Room 026 (lab).
* Nov. 10 (T) -- 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Freehafer Hall, Room 1-5 (lab).
* Nov. 11 (W) -- 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Freehafer Hall, Room 1-5 (lab).
According to Nodine, doing the best to stay healthy and making good health care choices are important when it comes to helping the University and employees keep costs low while still offering excellent benefits that meet the needs of employees and their families.
"We are working hard to improve employee wellness in 2016 and beyond to keep Purdue below the market trend," Nodine says.
