Delta Dental has been selected as the new administrator of the U-M Dental Plan. This change will become effective on Jan. 1, 2009. During the remainder of the current calendar year, dental benefits will continue to be administered by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife) without change.

All U-M benefits plans are periodically re-assessed to ensure the best match of services for our investment, and the selection of Delta Dental is the result of such an assessment, including a competitive bidding process.

• The plan will continue to offer a base dental benefit that will require no employee premium contribution
• The base plan’s expanded coverage will provide more frequent dental cleanings for members with certain dental or medical conditions
• The plan will include an option for broader coverage with an employee co-premium contribution.
  

Further details of the plan and specific levels of coverage will be available on the Benefits Office Web site later this summer.

Questions & Answers About Delta Dental

Q. When do we switch to Delta Dental?
A. Delta replace MetLife as the U-M dental plan administrator on January 1, 2009. Until then, coverage with MetLife remains in force with no change.

Q. Will the plan still have a no-cost option for faculty and staff?
A. Yes. A base plan will continue to be offered that is fully paid by the University and requires no co-premium contributions.

Q. Will the plan continue to offer an option for greater coverage than the base plan?
A. Yes. An option will be available during Open Enrollment this fall to choose broader coverage with an employee co-premium contribution.

Q. Why are we making this change?
A. The change in dental plan administration is the result of an assessment of our plan and a competitive bidding process. All U-M plans are periodically re-assessed to ensure the best match of service for our investment.

Q. When and where will more detailed information be available?
A. More information will be available later this summer once all aspects of the plan designed are confirmed. Faculty and staff will receive information by email, and details will also be found on the Benefits Office Web site this summer <www.benefits.umich.edu> and in Open Enrollment materials this fall.