Out-of-pocket expenses for those going to Delta Dental preferred provider dentists will drop 5 percent as of Jan. 1 for UC employees and retirees. Under a new variation of Delta’s coverage, called the Delta Dental PPO, basic services from preferred providers will be 80 percent covered, leaving 20 percent to be paid by members.

Those who use Delta’s premier dentists will continue to pay 25 percent of the costs of basic dental services. To check to see if an employee’s Delta dentist is listed under PPO or premier, go to <http://deltadentalca.org/uc/>. Also available at this site is a way to follow a claim; a nomination form for the employee who wants his or her dentist to switch from premier to preferred; and a digital version of the Evidence of Coverage (EOC) document for downloading. The EOC is the service contract between UC and Delta.

UC’s contract with PMI Dental Plan in 2006 also includes a few enhanced benefits for employees—mostly in additional periodontal maintenance and more coverage for porcelain/ceramic crowns.

During Open Enrollment this month, employees have the opportunity to enroll or de-enroll family members in health plans; enroll or re-enroll in personal Health Care Reimbursement Accounts (HCRAs) and/or Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts (DepCare); and change participation in the Tax Savings on Insurance Premiums (TIP) program.

UCSB workshops on navigating Open Enrollment run on Nov. 14 and Nov. 22, with another just on Definity Health Plan set for Nov. 16. Also included are two Benefits staff drop-in events on Thursday, Nov. 10, and Nov. 29. Supplemental disability insurance workshops are scheduled on Wednesday, Nov. 9, and on Nov. 21. More detailed information is available at <http://hr.ucsb.edu/benefits/>.