Dental Insurance
Network of Providers
Duke has an expanded network of providers who have agreed to accept usual and customary (U&C) for covered services. Under the dental plans, participants are still able to visit any licensed dentist. You can find a network provider by calling Ameritas at 1-800-487-5553 or by visiting the Ameritas web site.
Duke offers you a choice of two plans, depending on the level of coverage you and your family may need. Both plans cover preventive, basic, and major services, but they differ in how they pay for covered services. Under each plan, you can visit any licensed dentist. Duke's dental plans are available to retirees who have continued their dental insurance in retirement.
Please refer to the Dental Plan Comparison Chart and the Dental Plan Premiums for further details.
Coverage
Duke has a network of providers who have agreed to accept usual and customary (U&C) allowable charge for covered services. You are not required to use the network. However using the network will lower your cost. The network may have a limited number of dentists in some geographic areas.
Dental plan members who visited the dentist and had at least one dental claim filed in calendar year 2011, with less than $500 in claims payments, will have their annual maximum benefit increased by $250 in 2012. This accumulation can continue until the annual maximum has increased on Plan A from $1,000 to $2,000, or on Plan B, from $750 to $1,750.
If you would like to review a copy of the fee schedule for Plan B, please visit the Ameritas website at www.ameritasgroup.com/duke.
If you or a dependent are not currently enrolled for dental coverage through Duke and plan to enroll for 2012, you or the dependent will be considered a "late entrant" and your benefits during the first twelve months of coverage will be limited to two preventive care exams (not including X-rays), two cleanings, and for children under age 19, one fluoride application. If you are switching between plans, this twelve-month waiting period does not apply. The waiting period also does not apply if you enroll a child within 30 days of their second birthday.