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City employees tell SFHSS board Delta Dental network problems and FSA debit‑card access are hurting families
Summary
During public comment, employees described being unable to find in‑network pediatric dentists under Delta Dental and a city FSA debit‑card process that restricts access for some employees; Delta Dental and staff pledged to investigate provider‑list accuracy and administrative practices.
Multiple city employees used the public‑comment periods at the April 14 SFHSS meeting to report problems accessing benefits.
Flexible‑spending account debit card access Todd Sinegar, an in‑person commenter, described repeated payroll deductions for a flexible spending account (FSA) administered by SFHSS through PNA Group but said the vendor requires burdensome steps to keep a debit card active. Sinegar said the process forces some employees to pay out‑of‑pocket and file manual claims instead of using a debit card, disproportionately harming lower‑income workers, and asked the board to place the matter on a future agenda. "I'm requesting that this be added to an agenda item in the future," Sinegar said.
Delta Dental provider‑network problems Callers Mariela Taylor and Emily Shore (both Local 21 members and city employees) described obstacles finding in‑network pediatric dentists who will accept the city’s Delta Dental coverage. Taylor said her longtime dentist stopped accepting Delta Dental and that a routine cleaning could cost $300 out‑of‑pocket before partial reimbursement. Shore said she found 28 pediatric dentists listed within 10 miles but only three proved to be actually available and in‑network after phone checks. Shore told commissioners: "Out of 28 dentists, I was able to find 3 dentists that are in network... none of them are located in the city where I live."
Delta Dental response and board follow up A Delta Dental representative (Michelle Bodie) and an in‑room Delta representative committed to investigate the callers’ examples and explained that network maintenance and contracting occur on a regular basis (she cited weekly or monthly updates depending on contracting activity). The board asked Delta Dental to review specific caller examples and to report back on provider list accuracy and update frequency.
Union and retiree representative comments Fred Sanchez (Protector Benefits) called to congratulate Mitchell Griggs on his retirement and to thank staff for continuing discussion about mental health and centers of excellence; he also encouraged ongoing conversation about provider networks.
Implication Board members and staff agreed to follow up with Delta Dental and to have benefits staff review vendor administrative practices (including FSA/debit‑card procedures) and to consider placing access and administrative issues on a future agenda for investigation.
