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Board approves survey to poll retirees on three Delta Dental plan designs after heated public comment
Summary
Facing retiree complaints that they pay premiums yet lack adequate preventive coverage, the Health Service Board authorized a retiree survey to choose among three Delta Dental plan alternatives that vary by waiver, network steerage and maximum benefits.
The Health Service Board approved a plan to survey retirees on three Delta Dental retiree plan designs after staff presented pricing and usage data and after several retirees urged stronger preventive coverage.
Actuary Anil Kocher summarized plan options and pricing ranges and said the most modest change (a DMP waiver option) carried an 11.76% true increase; a higher-maximum option carried an estimated 12.8% increase. Board members and staff stressed the need to translate percentage changes into the dollar effect on individual premiums for clarity.
Lisa Gottby (Director-level staff) described the proposed survey instrument and told the board staff would update the survey language to show dollar-equivalent questions ("would you pay $3.50/month, $5/month?"), and that staff recommended sending the survey to all retirees (including those not currently enrolled) to evaluate reengagement. Claire Zavansky (public commenter representing retirees) and several retirees said the survey must clearly define PPO vs. premier networks and emphasize prevention; one retiree urged at least three cleanings a year for periodontal patients.
The board motion to proceed with the retiree survey passed after public comment. Staff will distribute the survey, collect responses and return results to the board for a future decision on plan design and premium implementation.
