The UFT Welfare Fund offers dental benefits through two programs: the Scheduled Benefit Plan, which provides services through either a designated panel of dentists or a dentist of your choice, and Dentcare, a no-cost dental HMO.

The open enrollment period to change plans is Sept. 1 to Oct. 15 each year, with changes taking effect Nov. 1.

Scheduled Benefit Plan: The full-choice option

Cigna is the claims administrator in the Scheduled Benefit Plan. If you select one of the approximately 2,200 participating dentists (called SIDS panelists), many routine procedures, such as cleanings every three months, are free. Exams are covered every six months with a $15 co-payment. Panel dentists may charge a copay of $150 for certain high-cost procedures, such as root canals, crowns and dentures, and $200 for orthodontic appliances.

The Scheduled Benefit Plan allows you to see any dentist, but if you go to a dentist who is not on the panel, your out-of-pocket costs will likely be higher. You are responsible for the difference between your dentist’s charges and the plan’s scheduled payments. If you go to a dentist who is not on the panel, it’s a good idea to show that dentist a copy of the UFT’s Schedule of Covered Dental Expenses because doing so might influence how much you are charged. The claim form and the fee schedule can both be downloaded from the health benefits section of the UFT website, or you can call the Welfare Fund’s forms hotline at 212-539-0539.

Dentcare: The no-cost option

Enrollment in Dentcare allows you to avoid all out-of-pocket dental expenses for covered services. Just as with a health care HMO, you select a primary dentist from Dentcare’s list of approximately 1,600 providers in the tri-state area. That dentist will perform all necessary work or will refer you to a Dentcare specialist if deemed necessary. There are no copays, no claims to file and no danger of hidden costs for covered services.

A few factors for you to consider: If you have a dental emergency while traveling, Dentcare will only reimburse you up to $50 for pain relief. You have to return home to continue any dental work. If you have children, be aware that Dentcare does not offer pediatric dentists.

Dental services performed by a non-Dentcare provider are not reimbursable. To learn more about this plan, contact Dentcare directly at 516-542-2700 or 800-468-0600.

Direct Access Dental Plan: A plan for your extended family

The UFT’s Direct Access Dental Plan provides access to quality dental care at a discounted rate to UFT members’ family members who are not covered by the regular UFT dental plan. Parents and other family members may enroll in this plan, in addition to UFT family child care providers, part-time employees and per diem substitutes without dental benefits.

With an individual plan rate of $36 a year and a family rate of $48 a year, your noncovered family members have access to a panel of approximately 2,200 dentists who will charge a prenegotiated rate that is published in the discounted benefits schedule. For more information, visit the UFT Direct Access plan.