Things to know about vision and dental plans during open enrollment

UAB offers both vision and dental benefits, and eligible employees of UAB, UAB Hospital, and UAB Hospital Management, LLC will have the option to choose or decline that coverage during the annual open enrollment for benefits that begins 7 a.m. Oct. 28 and concludes 5 p.m. Nov.14.

Vision care

UAB offers its stand-alone vision benefit through Vision Service Plan (VSP), which provides coverage for routine eye exams, lenses and frames, contacts — both in and outside its network — and discounts for LASIK eye surgery (in-network only) and other special discounts to plan members. 

Whether or not you could benefit from vision insurance is not always readily apparent, especially if you don’t have any problems with your eyesight. But if you do need corrective lenses or have a growing family, it could prove valuable. There’s no escaping the math.

Even if you don’t have corrective lenses, you should get an eye exam once a year. Eye doctors often are the first to find signs of serious health conditions, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.Start by asking yourself five questions:

• How much do I spend on vision products and services each year?

Include the cost of annual eye exam(s), glasses, contacts and any anticipated costs for LASIK surgery.

• How much would my premiums cost?

Final rates will be provided the week of Oct. 10. As with all UAB health care coverage, premiums are paid with pre-tax dollars through payroll deduction.

• What does the plan actually cover?

VSP covers routine, preventive eye care services at reduced rates plus coverage for or discounts on annual eye examinations, eyeglass frames and lenses, contact lenses and LASIK surgery. UAB employees will not experience any change in vision benefit coverage from previous years. More plan detail is available in the Open Enrollment Toolkit.

• Is there a provider I like who accepts this vision plan?

VSP has a nationwide network of providers. UAB Eye Care, the University Optometric Group faculty practice and UAB Ophthalmology all participate in the VSP network. To find a VSP doctor or a participating retail chain, visit vsp.com/go/uab or call 800-877-7195.

• How do I get the most out of vision insurance?

Dental care

UAB offers eligible employees a choice of two stand-alone dental plans — basic or comprehensive coverage — provided by MetLife.

What to choose and whether to choose it depends entirely upon your needs. Dental care can be as simple as semi-annual visits for cleaning and X-rays. Or you may need more costly care, such as oral surgery, dentures or orthodontia. 

During an exam, dentists can check a patient’s oral and overall health. About 90 percent of all systemic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, have oral health symptoms, reports the Academy of General Dentistry.Ask yourself these five questions:

• How much do I spend on dental products and services each year?

Include regular checkups and any other preventive or remedial work.

• How much would my premiums cost?

Final rates will be provided the week of Oct. 10. As with all UAB health care coverage, premiums are paid with pre-tax dollars through payroll deduction.

• What does the plan actually cover?

MetLife’s dental benefit plans provide specific benefits and negotiated discounts for providers in and outside the network. Those include services such as regular oral exams, cleanings and fillings in the basic plan to more extensive ones such as dentures and orthodontia in the comprehensive plan. Among its Preferred Dental Providers (PDP), fees are typically 10 to 35 percent below average fees of dentists in your area.  UAB employees will not experience any change in dental benefit coverage from previous years.  More plan detail is available in the Open Enrollment Toolkit. 

• Is there a provider I like who accepts this dental plan?

MetLife dental plans are accepted nationwide, which means you can go to the dentist of your choice. There are several PDP dentists participating from the UAB School of Dentistry. A full listing of network dental providers is online at www.metlife.com/mybenefits.

• How do I get the most out of dental insurance?

Use it. But equally important, preventing oral health problems before they start is one of the best ways to avoid more expensive procedures and keep dental costs down.