Dental Plan

The University of Michigan dental plan, administered by Delta Dental of Michigan, is designed to promote regular dental visits and good oral health, a key part of your overall wellness.

Dental Plan Enhancements 

The dental plan offers a new esthetic restoration policy for 2024. Porcelain (white) crowns and bridges on back teeth will be covered at a higher amount.

In addition, there are a number of enhanced dental benefits for members with an intellectual or developmental disability: 

  • Additional visits to the dentist’s office and/or consultations that can be helpful prior to the first treatment to help patients learn what to expect and what is needed for a successful dental appointment.
  • Up to four total dental cleanings in a benefit year.
  • The use of silver diamine fluoride that can be applied to cavities for patients who can’t tolerate the use of dental instruments.
  • Treatment delivery modifications necessary for dental staff to provide oral health care for patients with sensory sensitivities, behavioral challenges, severe anxiety or other barriers to treatment.

As defined by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, special health care needs include any physical, developmental, mental, sensory, behavioral, cognitive, or emotional impairment or limiting condition that requires medical management, health care intervention, and/or use of specialized services or programs.

Three Plan Options

When you enroll, you will choose one of three dental plan options.

  • Option 1 provides the least coverage. For most faculty, staff, and retirees, the university pays the full premium. You pay for any services that are not covered under Option 1.
  • Option 2 provides more coverage with a moderate employee contribution.
  • Option 3 provides the greatest coverage with the highest employee contribution and the lowest out-of-pocket costs.

View a two-minute video for a quick guide to your three options.

Covered Diagnostic and Preventive Services

All three options cover diagnostic and preventive services, including:

  • Oral exams twice per calendar year
  • Cleanings twice per calendar year
  • Emergency treatment to temporarily relieve pain
  • Bitewing X-rays once per calendar year and full mouth X-rays once in any five-year period
  • Non-surgical services to treat gum disease

Option 1 Details

Option 1 is for those who primarily need preventive dental work including regular checkups and cleanings. Delta Dental covers 100% of diagnostic and preventive services, with no deductible. Option 1 does not cover basic services such as fillings, root canals, or oral surgery for the treatment of gum disease. It does not cover major services including crowns, bridges, implants, dentures, or repair of crowns, bridges, and dentures. However, members will pay a discounted rate for these services when they use a PPO or Premier dentist.  If you or your dependents need more extensive dental care, you may wish to consider Option 2 or Option 3.

For most faculty, staff, and retirees, the university pays the full cost for coverage for you and your eligible dependents enrolled in Option 1.

Option 2 Details

Option 2 covers everything Option 1 covers, plus basic services including fillings and root canals at 100% with a PPO dentist and 60% with a Premier dentist. Major services, such as crowns, implants and dentures, are covered at 50% with a PPO dentist and 40% with a Premier dentist.  You and the university share the cost of Option 2. There is a $50 annual deductible per person and a maximum annual deductible of $150 per family per benefit year. The deductible does not apply to diagnostic and preventive services, emergency treatment to relieve pain, x-rays, sealants, periodontal maintenance, sealing and root planning, occlusal guards, and orthodontics.

Option 3 Details

Option 3 provides the greatest coverage and has the highest premium. Coverage is 100% for any dentist for diagnostic, preventive, and basic services, and 50% for major services. You and the university share the cost of Option 3. There is a $50 annual deductible per person and a maximum annual deductible of $150 per family. The deductible does not apply to diagnostic and preventive services, emergency treatment to relieve pain, x-rays, sealants, periodontal maintenance, sealing and root planning, occlusal guards, and orthodontics.

View a comparison chart of the three Dental Plan options.

Choosing a Dentist

You can go to any dentist, but your out-of-pocket costs will vary depending on the level of the dentist’s participation with Delta Dental. Your lowest out-of-pocket costs with be with a Delta Dental PPO dentist. A Delta Dental Premier dentist participates with Delta Dental but your out-of-pocket costs will be higher. If you visit a nonparticipating dentist, you will be responsible for any charges above Delta Dental’s fee schedule, in addition to any copay or deductible.

Learn more about finding and selecting a dentist.

Exclusions and Limitations

Not every dental service is covered. Refer to the Delta Dental PPO Dental Care Certificate for a detailed description of the U-M dental plan and a list of exclusions and limitations for each option.

Contact Delta Dental prior to receiving treatment if you have any questions about what your plan will cover.

Eligibility

See Eligibility and Enrollment for more information on your eligibility for the U-M Dental Plan.

Covered dependent children may remain on your dental plan until the end of the month in which they turn 26. The U-M dental plan covers orthodontic services for eligible dependents up to age 19 at 50% under all three options.

As a retiree, dependents enrolled under your U-M dental plan at the time of your retirement continue coverage as long as they remain eligible. You cannot add new dependents to your benefits as a retiree.

How and When to Enroll

Enroll online through Self Service > Benefits on Wolverine Access. There are three times when you may enroll or make changes:

No ID Cards Needed

No matter which option you choose, Delta Dental does not issue ID cards when you enroll and you do not need a card to receive services. When you make an appointment, the dental office will ask you for your UMID or your Social Security number to verify your enrollment and coverage with Delta Dental. If you still want an ID card, you can print a customized ID card on demand using Delta Dental’s Consumer Toolkit.

Forms and Documents

Contact Delta Dental

(800) 524-0149
Website: deltadentalmi.com
Consumer’s Toolkit: toolkitsonline.com

Mail claim forms to:

Delta Dental
P.O. Box 9085
Farmington Hills, MI
48333-9085