• 2007 Edition
• Introduction
• General Information
• Dental Plan
• Prescription Drug Plan
• Optical Plan
• Hearing Aid Benefit Plan
• Disability Plan
• Death Benefit
• Continuation of Coverage
• Supplemental Benefits
• Health and Cancer
  Helpline
• Resources

Who is covered?

All eligible members and eligible dependents, as defined in the General Information section, are covered for dental benefits.

What dental benefit programs are available?

The UFT Welfare Fund offers benefits through a choice of three (3) types of dental programs as follows:

1. A “fee-for-service” plan under which members may receive their dental services from a panelist (with little or no out-of-pocket costs). This is known as the UFT Welfare Fund Scheduled Benefit Plan (Scheduled Benefit Plan).

2. Non-participating dentist whereby a member will be reimbursed directly according to the UFTWF Schedule of Covered Dental Expenses.

3. A Dental HMO plan under which comprehensive dental services are covered with no out-of-pocket expenses, known as Dentcare.

NOTE: A Florida HMO plan is available upon retirement if you are a year-round Florida resident.

Dental benefits are provided only to the extent that the services, supplies, and the course of treatment are necessary and appropriate, and that they meet professionally recognized standards of quality. Necessity and appropriateness are determined after taking into account the total current oral condition of the patient.

How do I enroll in one of the dental plans?

Upon enrolling in the UFT Welfare Fund, a member and his/her covered dependent(s) are automatically enrolled in the Scheduled Benefit Plan. If you wish to select the Dental HMO (Dentcare), the UFT Welfare Fund’s Dental Transfer Form (DTF) must be completed within sixty (60) days of employment. There is also a Dental Open Enrollment Period every year in the fall during which time you may change plans by completing the UFT Welfare Fund’s Dental Transfer Form (DTF), which is available on our website www.uftwf.org.

Your dental coverage remains unchanged when you move from in-service to retiree status.

NOTE: If you elect to receive dental coverage through either dental HMO, you may not receive reimbursement through the Scheduled Benefit Plan.

What are the benefits under the Scheduled Benefit Plan?

This plan provides benefits for covered services under a reimbursement schedule. The “Schedule of Covered Dental Expenses,” listing all covered services and the maximum reimbursement amounts, is delineated in a separate document and is available on our website www.uftwf.org.

Within the Scheduled Benefit Plan there are two (2) options available:

• Participating Panel Program - provided by Self Insured Dental Services (SIDS).
• Direct reimbursement (using a non-participating dentist).

What is the participating panel program (SIDS)?

SIDS, Inc.
P.O. Box 9005
Lynbrook, NY 11563-9005
800-537-1238, EXT. 5508 or 516-396-5501
718-204-7172, EXT. 5508
www.uftdental.com

Within the Scheduled Benefit Plan there is a dental panel available consisting of over 600 participating dentists. If you use a participating dentist, the reimbursable services will be provided at no cost to you, except for a $50 copayment for crowns, bridges, dentures, root therapy; a $100 co-payment for certain treatment appliances and a $5 co-payment for each month of active orthodontic treatment. All services subject to the $50 co-payment are highlighted in red in the “Schedule of Covered Dental Expenses.” All services subject to a $100 co-payment are highlighted in orange. A list of participating dentists is printed in a separate pamphlet and is available on our website: www.uftwf.org.

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