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Uniform dental insurance is designed to simplify the process of finding affordable dental care.
With uniform dental insurance, you can expect to pay a fixed percentage of your dental expenses, typically between 20% and 50%.
This type of insurance is often preferred by individuals and families who want predictable out-of-pocket costs.
The benefits of uniform dental insurance include lower administrative costs and reduced paperwork for both patients and dentists.
Coverage and Costs
To get the most out of your uniform dental insurance, it's essential to understand the coverage and costs involved. The plan has a deductible of $50 per person and $150 per family, which means you'll pay this amount before the insurance kicks in.
The plan maximum is $1,750, which is the amount the insurance will pay towards your dental care during the plan year. You can view your custom coverage overview, claim status, and benefits usage online, making it easy to track your progress.
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Here's a breakdown of the costs you'll pay after meeting the deductible:
Costs
There are no employee premiums for dental coverage, which means you won't have to pay anything out of pocket.
Your employer pays the premium for dental coverage, so you can rest easy knowing you're covered without any additional costs.
If you're a permanent full-time employee, you'll pay monthly premium contributions, which are deducted from your paycheck.
Here are the monthly premium contributions for 2025 for permanent full-time employees:
These rates apply to all permanent full-time employees except those in Compensation Groups 41 and 42, who may have different rates.
Deductible
The deductible is a crucial aspect of your dental insurance plan. It's the amount you pay before your plan kicks in to cover your dental expenses. In the example of the UDP plan, the deductible is $50 per person or $150 per family.
You'll want to consider the deductible when choosing a dentist. If you see a Delta Preferred (PPO) dentist, the deductible is lower at $25. This can save you money upfront, but be aware that benefit levels may vary depending on the dentist you choose.
Here's a breakdown of the deductibles for different levels of benefits:
This information can help you make informed decisions about your dental care and plan choices.
Finding Providers
Finding the right providers is an essential part of making the most out of your uniform dental insurance. You'll need to check with your dental provider to see if they're part of your plan's network and group number.
To do this, you can call the dentist, the dental plan's customer service, or use the dental plan's online directory. This will help you identify your dental plan's network and group number correctly.
If you're with DeltaCare, you'll only see providers in the DeltaCare (Group 3100) network, and you'll have a primary care provider who oversees your care and authorizes specialist referrals. If you choose a provider not in this network, you'll be responsible for the costs.
Uniform Dental Plan users can see any dental provider, but it's usually cheaper to go to a provider in the Delta Dental PPO Group 3000 network.
Find Providers
Finding the right providers can be a challenge, especially with the different networks and group numbers to keep track of.
First, check with your dental provider to see if they are in the plan's network and group number. You can call the dentist, the dental plan's customer service, or use the dental plan's online directory.
If you have DeltaCare, you'll only see providers in the DeltaCare (Group 3100) network. This means you'll have a primary care provider who oversees your care and authorizes specialist referrals.
If the provider you select is not in DeltaCare's Group 3100 network, you will be responsible for the costs.
With Uniform Dental Plan, you may see any dental provider, but you'll usually pay less out-of-pocket if you go to a provider in the Delta Dental PPO Group 3000 network.
Here's a quick rundown of the provider networks to keep in mind:
- DeltaCare: DeltaCare (Group 3100) network
- Uniform Dental Plan: Delta Dental PPO Group 3000 network
Delta Dental of Washington
Delta Dental of Washington is dedicated to making oral health care accessible to everyone. They believe that a healthy smile is essential for overall well-being, which is why they focus on preventive care as a pillar of health.
With the largest dental networks in Washington State and nationwide, you can easily find a provider that fits your needs. Their network is extensive, making it convenient to find a dentist who accepts your insurance.
Their foundation focuses on under-served communities, which means they're committed to helping those who need it most. By expanding access to care, they aim to create a cavity-free Washington.
Delta Dental of Washington offers easy-to-use benefits, which simplifies the process of finding and using your dental coverage. This makes it easier to take care of your teeth and gums.
Plan Comparison
If you're considering the OCC Dental Insurance Program, you'll have two quality dental options to choose from: Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA.
The PPO plan allows you to visit any licensed dentist for treatment, but you'll usually receive the greatest benefit when you see a participating in-network dentist.
One important requirement for the PPO plan is that any dental coverage you may have under federal benefit programs, such as FEHB or FEDVIP, must be the primary payer to any benefits payable under this program.
Explore further: What Does Ppo Stand for in Dental Insurance
You can choose to visit any licensed dentist with the PPO plan, but you'll receive the greatest benefit when you see a participating in-network dentist.
There's no coordination of benefits for the PPO plan if you're covered by other dental insurance.
The DeltaCare USA (DHMO) plan operates through a network of participating dentists who manage all of your dental care.
You'll be required to select a primary care dentist or one may be assigned to you with the DHMO plan.
The DHMO plan has fixed copayments for services, and except for emergencies, there's no coverage for out-of-network benefits.
If you're covered by other dental insurance, coordination of benefits does not apply with the DHMO plan.
Here's a comparison of the two plans:
Who Should Consider This Plan
If you want the most protection from out-of-pocket costs, this plan is a great choice. It's designed to help you save money on dental expenses.
The deductible is relatively low, at $50 per person or $150 per family, and it's waived for preventive care. This means you won't have to pay out of pocket for routine check-ups and cleanings.
You'll also have access to a large network of dentists, with over 104,000 providers nationwide. This gives you the freedom to choose your dentist from the largest state and nationwide networks.
Here are some key benefits of this plan at a glance:
- Deductible: $50/person / $150/family (Deductible is waived for preventive care.)
- Out-of-pocket maximum: $1,750
- Preferred-provider organization (PPO)
- Choose your dentist from the largest provider networks: state and national.
- Get specialist care without a referral.
- Coverage for out-of-network care.
This plan is ideal for those who want the most protection from out-of-pocket costs and the freedom to choose their dentist.
Sources
- https://www.deltadentalwa.com/group/pebb/using-udp
- https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/pebb-virtual-benefits-fair/delta-dental-washington
- https://www.cityofmadison.com/human-resources/benefits/health-dental-and-vision-insurance
- https://www1.deltadentalins.com/federal/occ/compare-your-options.html
- https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1927/Benefits
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