Page 7 - Work Force January 2016

Dental implants to be covered under some EBF plans
As of Jan. 1,
2016, many
CSEA Employee
Benefit Fund
dental plan
members will
have access
to coverage
for dental implants, a major enhancement.
EBF will provide an allowance
of $750 per tooth for the surgical placement of an implant body, up to two teeth per calendar year. The plans will also include one dental consultation (up to $100) for each eligible member and each eligible dependent per calendar year.
This new coverage applies to the following dental plans: New York State, Unified Court System (full time and part time), Dutchess, Equinox, Horizon and Sunrise.
Offering coverage for dental implants is a major enhancement for the fund’s dental plans because very few private carriers provide any level of coverage for implants, and those that offer implant coverage often only provide dental plans at an extremely high cost.
EBF began pursuing this enhancement after
the fund’s dental plan members expressed interest in implant coverage when they
were asked about what enhancements they would like to see.
As dental procedures, techniques, and technology have evolved and developed, EBF has adapted
to these changes to ensure that
you and your eligible dependents have access to the highest quality benefits available.
Here’s some important
information about the new dental implant benefit:
• The implant allowance will be made in addition to the benefit already provided for the implant supported crown under your plan.
• A participating provider would be permitted to charge its usual fee for the implant procedure and accept the $750 per implant benefit
as an allowance against
such fee. If the treatment is provided by a participating provider, the member may
be responsible for a balance. This should be discussed before the treatment. Further, the new benefit will not be deducted from the members plan’s annual maximum and is outside of the limitation.
• There is a 10-year replacement period.
• When your dentist recommends one or more procedures that cost more than $500, it is important that a pre-determination be submitted to the EBF so both the patient and the dental provider both know exactly what is covered before a patient has any major work done.
Updated summary plan descriptions were recently mailed to eligible plan members. Summary plan descriptions can also be downloaded by visiting our website at cseaebf.com and selecting the “Benefit Search” tool. Follow the prompts and you will be able to download your plan documents. If you have any questions about your benefits, call EBF at 1-800-323-2732.
For some time now, CSEA teams have participated in Polar Plunge events to help support Special Olympics of New York.
CSEA has a long relationship with the Special Olympics as the union represents nearly 20,000 workers in the developmental disabilities field. Many CSEA members are involved with helping Special Olympics athletes train and prepare for their participation.
President’s Polar Cap Award
CSEA encourages participation and promotes the Polar Plunges, but this is a grassroots voluntary project for individuals and locals.
To encourage involvement, President Danny Donohue established the President’s Polar Cap Award to stimulate a friendly rivalry between CSEA’s regions. The region that raises the most money through Polar Plunge participation each
year is recognized at CSEA’s Annual Meeting.
The award is displayed in the winning region office for the duration of the champ’s reign. Donations submitted throughout the season until April 15 determine the winner.
Join your region Polar Plunge teams or create a new one
Visit your region web page before registering at polarplungeny.org to find a list of CSEA team names. You will be asked when you register to either create a new team or choose an existing CSEA team. Veteran teams: be sure to re-register this year with CSEA in your name to make it easier for your members to find you!
Louis Maury at the Central Region Polar Plunge.
All money raised by “CSEA” named teams count toward their region’s totals for the President’s Polar Cap Award!
Have fun!
Follow the fund-raising directions, do your best and don’t forget to have fun and show your CSEA pride on plunge day!
2016 Polar Plunges
Rochester – 16th Annual Polar Plunge at Ontario Beach Park: Feb. 1, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fishkill – Sharpe Reservation, Camp Mariah: Feb. 21, 9 a.m – Noon
North Hempstead – 12th Annual Polar Plunge at North Hempstead Beach Park: March 5, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Oyster Bay – 3rd Annual Polar Plunge at Tobay Beach: March 19, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ithaca – 3rd Annual Polar Plunge at Taughannock Falls State Park: March 19, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m
January 2016 The Work Force 7
For more information and to register or donate, visit polarplungeny.org.