Dear Members,

RE: Important information about Opting-Out of Dental Coverage or Enrolling in Family Dental Coverage for the 2014-2015 academic year

*This message contains information about important opt-out and enrollment deadlines.  Please note that the deadlines may require your immediate attention and action.  The information below is available in an official letter in PDF format HERE *

Unit 1 members (Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants in lieu) are eligible for dental benefits provided they hold an undergraduate degree and hold an employment contract for at least 130 hours over the academic year.

(Undergraduate members should be eligible for coverage under the MSU plan.  Graduate members who do not hold a 130 hour contract for the academic year should be eligible for coverage under the GSA dental plan.)

The new member dental premium contributions for the upcoming 2014-2015 academic year have been calculated.  They are:

$8.93 monthly for single coverage;

$67.86 monthly for family coverage.

All members who meet the eligibility criteria listed above will be automatically enrolled in the dental plan.  Premium deductions and employer premium contributions appear on your paystub.  Please click here for important updates regarding the changes to member premium contribution collection schedules.  Please see the unit 1 benefits website for more details on dental coverage: http://cupe3906.org/benefits-forms/unit-1-benefits/dental

Here is some important information that you need to know to opt-out of dental coverage or enroll in family dental coverage:  

Opting-out of Dental Coverage: If you are eligible for alternative coverage and do not wish to enroll in the CUPE 3906 plan, you may opt-out of coverage during the opt-out period.  To have your opt-out take effect as of September 1^st, you need to submit a completed Unit 1 Dental Opt-Out form with proof of alternative coverage to the union office (KTH B111) by Monday, September 8^th, 2014.  To have your opt-out take effect as of October 1^st, 2014, you need to submit a completed Unit 1 Dental Opt-Out form with proof of alternative coverage to the union office (KTH B111) between September 9^th and September 30^th, 2013.

Please note that if you miss the September 8^th deadline, you will not be refunded the September premium cost of $8.93. 

Your proof of alternate coverage must show your name.  Proof of coverage may be an insurance card with your name on it; a letter from the insurer (or employer) stating your coverage; a print out of an online schedule of benefits, or an explanation of benefits from a recent claim.  (An application for benefits form is not sufficient since it does not indicate that you are actually covered.)

You need to opt-out of dental coverage every year to maintain your opt-out status.  Also, opting-out of the GSA plan does not opt you out of the CUPE 3906 plan.

For an opt-out form and explanation of proper proof of alternative coverage documentation, please visit the Unit 1 benefits website and/or download the CUPE 3906 dental plan letter at the link above. 

Any opt-out forms received after the September 30, 2014 deadline cannot be processed and opt-out will not be successfully completed.

Enrolling in Family Dental Coverage: You can enroll your family (married spouse/common-law spouse/same-sex spouse and/or children) in the dental plan for a cost of $67.86 per month provided you qualify for the dental plan.  (See the eligibility criteria listed above.  Please see the unit 1 dental benefits webpage for more information on what family coverage entails: http://cupe3906.org/benefits-forms/unit-1-benefits/dental

To enroll in family coverage, you must submit a family dental coverage enrollment form with attached list of dependents to the CUPE 3906 office (KTH B111) during the enrollment period.  For coverage to take effect retroactive to September 1^st, 2014, you must submit the completed family enrollment form at the link above to the union office by Monday, September 8^th, 2014.  To have your family coverage take effect as of October 1^st, 2014, you must submit a completed family dental Coverage enrollment form with the attached list of dependents to the union office (KTH B111) between September 9^th and September 30^th, 2013.

If you miss the September 8^th enrollment deadline, your dependents will not be eligible for dental coverage during the month of September.  Any family coverage enrollment forms received after the September 30, 2013 deadline cannot be processed and dependent opt-in will not be successfully completed.

You need to enroll in family dental coverage every year to maintain your family coverage status.

For a family coverage enrollment form and list of dependents and more information on enrolling in family dental coverage, please visit the Unit 1 benefits website and/or download the CUPE 3906 dental plan family enrollment form at the link above.

Click here for a family coverage rebate form.  Members who successfully enroll in family dental coverage are eligible for a family dental premium rebate twice per academic year (once in November/December, once in February).  Our rebate budget will be divided equally among eligible members in the fall and winter terms.  Please return this form with your family enrollment form to the CUPE 3906 office.

There are no premium costs for other Unit 1 benefits (i.e., UHIP Rebate, Health Spending Account, Childcare Rebate) so you do not need to opt-out from or enroll into these benefits.