Choosing a Dental or Vision Plan

Since being created to serve Union-represented employees, Union Benefits Trust has been charged with offering you high-quality options. In 1999, the Trust offers members and their families three dental plans and two vision plans. The choice is yours.

However, we’re often asked — which is the best plan? Well, the answer is not simple, but it’s straightforward — they each have the potential to be the best plan (we only offer plans that meet our high quality standards). And all our plans are different from each other. That’s why this really is a choice for you to make…

So, we can’t "say" which plan is best – only you know: the best plan is the one that best suits your and your family’s needs. Only you can say what might happen in your family over the upcoming year, or know which doctor or dentist you want to see (and how important staying with that provider is).

Since choosing the right plan is a big decision, here are some…

Questions to ask yourself or the insurance companies

• What dentist or doctor do I want to see? What about my other covered family members? How willing am I to make a switch now if it means that I’ll pay less over the course of the plan year?
• Quick tip - Review a provider directory for updated network information. You can obtain a current directory for the plans now.
• What are your dental or vision needs for the upcoming plan year (July 1 - June 30)?
• Will you or any family members need specialty dental care? Such as orthodontia?
• Time for a new pair of glasses? Interested in getting a back-up pair? Contacts?
• Are all my dependents covered?
• Quick answer — if they’re not currently covered but they’re eligible, now is the time to add them. See your Payroll/Personnel officer before June 4, 1999.

• Describe the steps necessary to file a claim. Am I required to handle any paperwork?
• If yes, what is the turnaround time for claims processing?
• How are employee questions handled? By whom?
• Is a toll-free line available for my claims and other questions? What are the hours?
• Quick tip — The Trust also has an 800-line available to help you — our purpose is to offer you fast answers and point you in the right direction, as well as advocate on your behalf if you have an unusual claim or appeal, or unexpected difficulty with the insurance company.

To help you choose…

Know thy provider preference.

Many (or most) people pick a plan based on which one their dentist or eye doctor/provider of choice belongs to, because they have a comfortable, well-established relationship with that provider. And this approach is OK; however, if it applies to you, you’ll want to make sure you can see your provider of choice easily in the plan of your choice.

So, if you’re not willing to switch providers, the options that can cost you the least out of your pocket will be those that 1) have your provider in the network or 2) have no network. As a reminder, Preferred Choice and the DMO® are the dental plans with networks, and both vision plans have networks.

• Again, reviewing the network directories should help you with your plan choice, if you are tied to a doctor or dentist.

Remember that the elections you make now are locked in from July 1, 1999, to June 30, 2000, and providers may join or leave the networks as they wish throughout the year.

Know thyself.

In dental — Will it just be cleanings and x-rays over the next year? If you know you won’t need much more than preventive/diagnostic care, choose a plan that offers more of that service or that costs you the least for this care. Will my child need braces? Will I need specialty work like crowns? If you believe that you or other family members may need specialty care, select the plan that will give you the best advantage there.

In vision — Who needs glasses? Do you just need a check-up? What are the ages of the family members who need check-ups? Look for the plan that offers you and your family the better deal.

FINALLY,

Know the plans.

In dental - Which plan has me file claims? Which plan requires dentist-coordinated care? Is the annual or lifetime maximum important to me based on the care I’ll need? What are the benefit levels for different classes of service? See the comparison chart for your answers.

In vision — If it’s time for an eye exam, which plan offers you more for your money? Is there a difference in frequency of care that matters to you? See the vision comparison chart. Will the discount programs help me? See the discount programs.

That’s it — hope this quick review helped. If it didn’t, we encourage you to call the plans, talk to your Union-represented coworkers, Union leaders and Payroll/Personnel officers for additional insight as to their experiences. A referral isn’t a recommendation, but it’s a start. And you have until June 4 to make up your mind for the coverage you and your family will have for the next plan year.