State of California

  M E M O R A N D U M

  REFERENCE CODE:
  98-006

  DATE:
  February 9, 1998

  TO:
  Personnel Officers
  Personnel Transactions Supervisors
  Personnel Transactions Staff

  FROM:
  Department of Personnel Administration
  Benefits Division

  SUBJECT:
  Special Dental Open Enrollment Period and 1998 Dental
  Premium/COBRA Rate Charts

  CONTACT:
  Nicolas Villa Jr., Benefits Program Analyst
  (916) 324-0525, CALNET 454-0525
  FAX: (916) 322-3769
  OFFICE VISION: DPA(NXVILLA)
  INTERNET: NXVILLA@.DPA.CA.GOV


  The following information regarding a Special Dental
  Open Enrollment Period should be communicated to all
  employees as soon as possible.
  
  DENTAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
  
  The Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) has
  contracted with SmileSaver, a new prepaid dental plan.
  A special dental open enrollment will be held March 2 -
  March 20, 1998.  During this special open enrollment
  period, eligible employees may only enroll or change
  from their current dental plan to SmileSaver.  No other
  changes will be allowed (e.g., add/delete dependents,
  change to a dental plan other than SmileSaver).  All
  documents processed during this special open enrollment
  period will be effective May 1, 1998.  If employees do
  not wish to enroll or change to SmileSaver, no action is
  necessary and their current dental coverage will
  continue.
  
  SmileSaver will be available to:  (1)
  retirees/annuitants; (2) excluded employees; and (3)
  represented employees in Bargaining Units 1 through 21,
  with the exception of Units 6 and 13, who have their
  dental insurance provided through their respective
  union-sponsored trusts.
  
  DOCUMENT COMPLETION
  
  Please use the following information when completing the
  Dental Plan Enrollment Authorization form (STD.692):
  
  PERMITTING EVENT DATE:     3/2/98
  
  PERMITTING EVENT CODES:    03 (New Enrollment)
  28 (Plan Change)
  
  EFFECTIVE DATE:            5/1/98
  
  
  CUT-OFF DATES
  
  3/20/98 -Last day for special open
  enrollment documents to be
  signed and submitted to
  Personnel by employees.
  
  4/10/98 -Last day for receipt by SCO of
  all special open enrollment
  documents.
  
  5/8/98  -Last day for receipt by SCO of
  any special open enrollment
  documents that were returned to
  departments for correction.
  
  SMILESAVER DENTAL PLAN
  
  As with the other State-sponsored prepaid dental plans,
  the monthly premium for SmileSaver will be fully paid by
  the State and requires no monthly premium copayment
  deduction from an employee's pay warrant.  SmileSaver
  will be sending a small supply of informational packets
  directly to Personnel Offices.  This packet will consist
  of an introductory letter, summary of benefits, and a
  listing of participating dentists.  Employees may also
  contact SmileSaver at 1-800-472-6019 if they wish to
  request an informational packet or have any questions
  about SmileSaver's plan.
  
  GLOBAL MESSAGE/RETIREE NOTIFICATION
  
  A "global message" regarding this special open
  enrollment will be on the March 1, 1998 pay warrants
  (February 1998 pay period).  A postcard mailing to all
  retirees/annuitants announcing the special open
  enrollment period will be done in February.
  
  
  
  
  DEPARTMENTS' ROLE IN THE SPECIAL OPEN ENROLLMENT PROCESS
  
  Personnel transactions staff are being asked to inform
  all employees of this special open enrollment, have
  informational packages available, review all documents
  before submitting them to SCO, and be aware of the cut-
  off dates.  Employees who elect to enroll or change
  their dental enrollment to SmileSaver should be advised
  to check their May 1, 1998 pay warrant (April 1998 pay
  period) "Statement of Earnings and Deductions" to ensure
  the correct dental plan coverage is reflected.
  
  1998 DENTAL PREMIUM/COBRA RATE CHARTS
  
  Attachment I reflects the 1998 premiums, employee copay
  amounts, and carrier information for represented and
  excluded employees enrolled in any of the State-
  sponsored dental plans.  There is also no change in the
  Delta Dental premiums for 1998.  The State contribution
  for the prepaid plans continues to be fully paid by the
  State.
  
  Attachment II reflects the current COBRA rates and
  carrier information.
  
  Employees should be directed to contact their
  departmental Personnel Office if they have any questions
  regarding this special open enrollment period.
  Personnel Office staff requiring assistance or
  clarification of the information contained in this memo
  should call Nicolas Villa Jr., Benefits Program Analyst,
  at (916) 324-0525 or CalNet 454-0525.
  
  We appreciate your assistance in making this special
  open enrollment a success.
  
  
  
  
  Kathie Vaughn, Chief
  Benefits Division
  
  
  Attachments will be mailed with hard copy of PML
  
  cc:SCO, Del Delgado/Linda Edwards/Sandra Young
  CALPERS, Gregg Kenney
  STRS, Pat Sidhu
  CAHP DENTAL TRUST
  CCPOA DENTAL TRUST