Delta Dental Of Minnesota - Employers

Current Location: Delta Dental Of Minnesota > Employers > Q & A

1. Who is Delta Dental Connect^SM?
2. What constitutes an eligible employee for dental coverage with Delta Dental's smaller employer
   plans?
3. As a new benefits administrator, what materials and acknowledgment can I expect?
4. What sections on the enrollment form must be filled out?
5. Does Delta Dental have a minimum premium contribution required by employers to set up
a dental plan?
6. What coverage do employees of a Minnesota company have if they live outside the state?
7. How are dental benefits affected if a dependent child is ill or injured and can no longer attend school
   on a full-time basis?
8. Additional Questions?

1. Who is Delta Dental Connect^SM?
Delta Dental Connect is an experienced group of sales and service representatives dedicated to responding to the questions of our brokers and small group administrators (5-199 employees). Delta Dental Connect services include rate and product information, new group implementation, on-site information/education sessions, sales and requests for proposal, post-sale service/account management and renewals. Our representatives can be reached at 651-406-5920 or toll-free at 800-906-5250. You can also reach them via e-mail at deltadentalconnect@deltadentalmn.org. For individually rated groups of 100 or more employees, please contact Sales and Marketing.

2. What constitutes an eligible employee for dental coverage with Delta Dental's smaller employer plans?
Full-time employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week or subject to the employer's practice (if greater than 20 hours per week) are eligible. Seasonal or temporary employees are usually not eligible.

3. As a new benefits administrator, what materials and acknowledgment can I expect?
The benefits administrator for our new customers receives a welcome letter, group contract, and administration manual. The administrator also receives an identification card and summary plan booklet for each employee. If a broker is associated with the new group, he/she also receives a copy of the welcome letter and contract.

4. What sections on the enrollment form must be filled out?
The benefits administrator and/or broker is responsible ensuring the employee sections of the enrollment form are complete and accurate for each enrolled employee. The employee's signature is required. The section labeled Other Insurance Coverage should be completed as accurately as possible, as Delta Dental uses this information to determine group participation. If an employee waives all coverage, or is married and wants employee-only coverage, information on whether or not the employee's dependents have coverage and if so, the name of their carrier, must be provided. The Group Enrollment Information section at the bottom of the form must also be completed.

5. Does Delta Dental have a minimum premium contribution required by employers to set up a dental plan?
Delta Dental no longer has a minimum premium contribution requirement. If the participation and underwriting requirements are met, the group will be approved for coverage. Group plans that have less than 50 percent employer premium contribution are typically considered to be voluntary.

6. What coverage do employees of a Minnesota company have if they live outside the state?
Out-of-state employees receive the same benefits as Minnesota-based employees with respect to co-insurance amounts on fully insured plans. These claims are reimbursed based on the 90th percentile of Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA) data and, therefore, may be subject to balance billing. Out-of-network benefits would apply for our Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) plans. Multistate employees with <199 employees where more than 20% of employees reside outside of Minnesota should contact Delta Dental Connect for details.

7. How are dental benefits affected if a dependent child is ill or injured and can no longer attend school on a full-time basis?
Under Michelle's Law, if an unmarried dependent child who was attending a postsecondary educational institution on a full-time basis and is currently covered under the parent's dental benefit policy becomes seriously ill or is injured, he/she may continue to be covered. In order to remain covered, a physician must provide written documentation supporting the need for a medical leave.

Under the law, effective October 1, 2009, students may remain covered under their parent’s dental plan until the earlier of 12 months or until their coverage would otherwise terminate under the policy.

If an unmarried dependent child becomes disabled for an indefinite period of time, (s)he may be considered incapacitated. If the subscriber's dental plan has an incapacitated dependent provision, the subscriber can apply to continue coverage. To be eligible, the dependent:

Must be incapable of self-support because of mental retardation or any mental or physical disability
Became disabled before reaching the age limit for coverage
Depends on the subscriber for financial support and maintenance

In both cases, the subscriber needs to provide document of the illness, injury or incapacitation. The subscriber should print and complete the Disabled Dependent/Michelle's Law Application form. Once the form has been completed by the subscriber and the child’s physician, send it to the employer’s benefit representative who will provide the necessary information to Delta Dental.

8. Additional Questions?
If you have any other questions, please contact us.