[Boccaccio]

If you have not heard the dental plan has been discussed in regards to the sustainability of the program as the amount of claims have risen above the funds gathered. This has been a growing trend over years and looks to be continuing in the future. We are unable to provide this service at the set price and need to adjust the price and benefits to address this issue. Therefore, the proposed trade would increase the fee by about $8.38 and decrease claims to $600. This is the best way to address the situation while allowing students to remain 100% covered under this plan. Other options include raising the fee by about $20 to remain at the $750 maximum claim level or keeping the price the same but decreasing coverage from 100% to 80%. The sentiment from the executive board was that students want the 100% coverage but not a huge increase in fees so we believe this is the best option.

Please post your opinions/concerns on the issue

[Rob Mac]

what does the dental plan cost now?

[Quester]

I think that's a good plan. I don't want to pay extra $20 to keep that $750 reimbursement. After all, I don't even spend that much on dentist per year. I rather get that 100% coverage.

[goodnews.inc]

I don't know. I personally would rather pay an extra 20 dollars to be covered for another cavity or filling, rather than not, and have another root canal because of a lack of attention from a medical professional and end up stuck with footing a $150 bill myself. The costs really do outweigh the benefits ($130) and it's always nice to know you're completely covered in case of an emergency (a broken tooth can happen to anybody and it requires immediate care regardless of personal dental hygiene practices)

It seems like this is a service that students really use, and depend on, for those who didn't have dental plans before this, as evidenced by the increasing demand.

While I understand and agree with the economical and accounting issues, I disagree that it's in a student's best interest to cut costs on a service they evidently need.

[lorend]

Originally Posted by Rob Mac

what does the dental plan cost now?

Health and Dental combined I believe are $135

[Boccaccio]

The fees currently administered for the two plans are

Health Plan: $45.00
Dental Plan: $95.00

The main problem currently that the amount of opt outs have increased and the amount of claims have also increased and it is no longer sustainable. I am here to gather opinions on the three options as this will be brought to the students next year and their input is valuable now

[PTGregD]

I've always been curious.

How was the plan ever sustainable; I don't know if my dentist overcharges me, but if I even go for one cleaning (which I do thanks to the dental plan), it easily goes over the $95 cost of the dental plan. (AKA I benefit)

How did the insurance company ever make a profit? Do the majority of students not use it or something? Or were they being subsidized by the school or something.

[Marlowe]

The number of students who already had insurance, but didn't know they could opt out probably ran pretty high. I know quite a few first years who didn't know how to opt out, and even some upper years who missed it because the date wasn't advertised enough. I know I fell into that boat first year.