new teacher q & a
Do I need a dental rider on my health insurance? Where can I get dental forms, a list of dentists and the reimbursement schedule?
Nov 15, 2007 3:41 PM
A: No, you do not need a dental rider. You receive dental, as well as optical, prescription drug and other supplemental health benefits through the UFT Welfare Fund, saving you a bundle.
If you took a rider for any health plan but GHI-CBP, be sure to drop it during the transfer period, which ends on Nov. 30. The main reason a rider is a good idea for GHI-CBP is that it increases the reimbursement for non-participating surgical providers at a minimal cost to members.
If you drop a dental rider, be sure to enroll in the Welfare Fund immediately so you will have a dental plan and the other supplemental health benefits. Remember that this is a separate enrollment from your health plan. You can complete a Welfare Fund enrollment form at www.uft.org/welfare/enroll. Then follow the instructions on sending in the required documentation to cover your eligible dependents.
You can read a full description of your dental and other in-service Welfare Fund benefits by visiting www.uft.org/member/benefits/redappleinserv/. Under Dental Benefits, you’ll get all the information about the dental HMO and the Scheduled Benefit Plan, which covers participating dentists or reimburses you according to a schedule of payments if you decide to use non-participating dentists.
You may find the current dental schedule online. You can find the names of participating providers of dental and other services at www.uft.org/member/benefits/panel/. Dental and other forms are available at online. But for optical, hearing aid or disability forms, call the Forms Hotline at 1-212-539-0539.
