Group Insurance Board extends dental insurance contract

The board overseeing the health plan for state and some local government employees on Wednesday approved a two-year extension of a contract with Delta Dental of Wisconsin to continue administering its dental benefit.

The Stevens Point-headquartered insurer will administer the benefit through the end of 2028.

The Group Insurance Board entered into a five-year contract with the company in 2021 that was previously set to end in 2026.

“Delta has proven itself to be a reliable and responsive vendor partner,” said Tom Rasmussen, life insurance and dental insurance plan manager at the department’s Office of Strategic Health Policy.

According to a memo, the department has heard concerns from plan members about providers leaving Delta Dental’s networks. The state agency determined that to be a larger issue within the dental industry. Annual retention rates for Delta Dental have been 98 percent for state providers.

The department, after contacting contracted providers, found that dentists praised Delta Dental for being easy to work with, but a few mentioned low reimbursement rates. In February 2023, Delta Dental upped rates for frequently performed procedures, and the insurer plans further adjustments next year, according to the memo.

Kyle Humphrey, chief sales and marketing officer at Delta Dental, said they’re “thrilled to continue” partnering with the state and “are proud to offer leading-edge dental benefits to state employees, retirees and their family members.”

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