The PSC-CUNY Welfare Fund Trustees have made new enhancements to the Guardian dental benefits offered to our eligible members, effective July 1, 2022. The Guardian dental network benefit has been significantly improved. Both in-network and out-of-network reimbursements (the Fund’s fee schedules) will be increased. Members using Guardian network dentists will have little to no copayments for many dental procedures and out-of-network dental charges will be further reduced by the Fund’s higher reimbursement schedule.
The main difference in the two dental programs is that Delta is an HMO and has a much smaller network of providers compared to Guardian. Delta does not offer out-of-network coverage. Guardian is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and has a large network of providers and offers out-of-network coverage. Also, DeltaCare USA does not cover implants. Although the Guardian in-network reimbursement schedule has been enhanced, be aware that out-of-pocket costs for most procedures still may be lower in Delta than in Guardian.
If you are a participant in the DeltaCare USA HMO (Delta) plan and would like to remain in Delta, you do not have to take any action. If you are considering changing plans to take advantage of the new Guardian reimbursement schedule and greater choice of providers, you should consider that you may end up paying more for your dental services than if you had continued with your Delta dentist.
If you would like to change to the Guardian plan, you will have the opportunity during a special open enrollment period for Delta dental enrollees, beginning July 1, 2022, and ending July 31, 2022. Members who switch by July 31 will be retroactively enrolled in Guardian for July 1. Complete the Delta Disenrollment form linked here and send it to your campus benefits office. We will terminate your Delta enrollment and enroll you and any eligible dependents in the Guardian dental plan.
IMPORTANT:
- You may only transfer your current dependents. New dependents will not be enrolled in the Guardian plan.
- Forms must be processed by your campus benefits office or they will not be accepted by the Fund.
For more information on the Welfare Fund dental benefit, and a list of participating Guardian providers, please see the Fund website, psccunywf.org.
