October Updates from The Dental Care Plus Group

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DentaQuest Announces Plans to Combine With Sun Life

DentaQuest has entered into a definitive agreement to combine with Sun Life U.S. in a transaction that will further the company’s mission to improve the oral health of all. This combination will create one of the largest dental benefits providers and administrators in the U.S.

As part of Sun Life U.S., DentaQuest will have a broader provider network and greater strategic and financial flexibility to accelerate growth of its differentiated approach to oral health. DentaQuest’s combination with Sun Life U.S. marks the next logical step in their long-term transformation and will further enhance its many existing capabilities. In recent years, DentaQuest has made a series of strategic decisions (including the acquisition of Dental Care Plus Group) that have accelerated growth and innovation.

Read the full press release here.

2022 Shelf Rates Now Available

Click here to access the 2022 Shelf Rate documents. DCPG now offers a new enhanced plan option based on your feedback – AND – please note that all their shelf rates include:

  • Rate holds or rate decreases for all markets
  • Two-year rate guarantees
  • Bundled discount – 2% off dental if you sell vision

Q4 Broker Bonus – For a Limited Time

DCPG is giving you the opportunity to earn a onetime $15 bonus override per enrolled employee subscriber on ANY fully-insured sold case with 2-49 enrolled employees. This offer is valid for dental sold cases with effective dates of October 1, 2021, through January 1, 2022.

How It Works

  1. Recommend our dental benefits plans to your clients.
  2. Implement a new dental plan (2-49 enrolled employees) with an effective date of October 1 – January 1, 2022.
  3. Earn a one-time $15 bonus override per enrolled employee subscriber. This bonus is on top of your regular bonus and any other applicable sales incentive program.

Remember, every DCPG plan includes:

  • Annual open-enrollment period
  • No benefit waiting periods
  • Fourth-quarter deductible carryover

Terms and Conditions

  • This Broker Bonus Program does not constitute a contract
  • The Broker Bonus Program applies to new business sold with effective dates between October 1, 2021 and January 1, 2022
  • Eligibility is limited to dental groups that are new to DCPG (i.e., not enrolled between July 1 and September 30, 2021) and have 2-49 enrolled employee subscribers
  • All Broker Bonuses will be considered income and fully taxable and subject to applicable withholdings
  • The Broker Bonus Program is offered at the sole discretion of DCPG and can be terminated or modified at any time without notice
  • Bonuses will be paid directly to the writing agent
  • Bonuses equaling $50 or less will be paid through a Visa/AMEX gift card
    Application of programs and determinations of eligibility and payment amounts, if any, will be made by DCPG at our sole discretion, with decisions made by DCPG as final
  • Limited Time Bonuses will be paid as a lump sum within 2 months following the termination of bonus plan.
  • Participation in the Broker Bonus Program constitutes your agreement to the above Broker Bonus Rules

The Dental Care Plus Group Contract Eligibility Adjustments

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Plan Enhancement – Dependent Age – 26

As of January 1st, 2022, the Dental Care Plus Group will roll out a new plan enhancement that will allow all dependents to stay enrolled on their policies without requiring student status verification to age 26. This coverage will be active through the end of the birth month in which the dependent turns age 26.

This enhancement does not impact your current rates and will automatically be applied to your clients’ benefit offering as of January 1, 2022.

DCPG is implementing this enhancement in an effort to:

  • Simplify the administration of plans by aligning with most medical plans,
  • Making it easier for employees by removing the requirement for verifying student status, and
  • Extending coverage for dependents at no additional expense.

What you need to do next:

  • Dependents currently active on the plan will remain on the plan.
    • Any dependents not currently active on the plan need to be re-enrolled via the channels listed below.
  • Distribute this addendum to all eligible employees.

For EDI Groups:

  • Please communicate this change to your third-party administrator. If you or your vendor have any questions, please contact Kaylyn Kaeding at kaylyn.kaeding@greatdentalplans.com
  • Additionally, if your third-party vendor continues to populate the student flag in the EDI file, DCPG will continue to cover those dependents through the end of the birth month in which the dependent turns age 26.

For Standard Enrollment Groups:

  • Changes can be submitted with an enrollment form/change order form for an effective date of 1/1/2022, OR
  • Enroll new dependents via the employer portal with an effective date of 1/1/2022.

For All Groups:

  • DCPG recommends employers speak with their HR consultants and other experts regarding offering a special enrollment period to ensure employees are aware of this enhanced benefit.

Please note, DCPG will continue to enroll dependents on the effective date provided by you.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Important Updates from The Dental Care Plus Group Regarding 2022 Plans

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Expanded PPO Network

DCPG’s PPO network has expanded to include the DenteMax Plus network. Their DentaSelect PPO now offers over 800,000 access points nationwide.

Click here to search for specific provider information.

PPO Available in Cincinnati

Reminder that DCPG can sell their DentaSelect PPO in all markets, including Cincinnati to offer seamless coverage for your clients.

Important Deadline for 1/1 Business

In order to ensure member ID cards for January 1, 2020, groups are in the mail by January 1, DCPG must be in receipt of the group’s complete sold case submission, including employee enrollment forms or enrollment spreadsheet, by:

  • For Groups with 100+ subscribers, Friday, October 15, 2021
  • For all other sized Groups, Thursday, November 11, 2021

Shelf Rates Coming SOON

The 2022 shelf rates for all markets will be released in the next few weeks. Please note:

  • 2022 Shelf Rates will feature:
    • A new enhanced plan option based on your feedback!
    • Two-year rate guarantees!
    • Competitive rates with rate holds in many markets!

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Upcoming Process Changes From The Dental Care Plus Group

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Please note DCP will be sharing this information with their employer groups in the next few days and are sharing with their broker partners in advance to ensure they are prepared in the event they receive questions from their groups.

Here is a high-level overview of the upcoming process changes. Please click here for a link to the employer newsletter.

  • EFT Forms
    • DCPG will no longer require or accept EFT forms with sold case paperwork.
    • The newsletter includes instructions for groups to set up their own recurring payments.
    • If you send an EFT form with sold case paperwork, DCPG will send an email to the group with instructions to set up recurring payment.
  • Overdue Accounts
    • The newsletter details the process for groups who are behind in payment.
    • The process will start by the end of the summer.
    • This process will help ensure your commissions to be paid on time.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Preview of Upcoming Group Administrator Communication from DCPG

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The Dental Care Plus Group has made some exciting updates to the employer portal and will be sending the Employer Contact newsletter below to all employer groups early this week. DCPG is providing you with this information in advance in case you receive questions from your clients.

Below is the email to employer groups:

Employer Portal Enhancements

We appreciate your patience as we worked through issues related to our employer portal. We are pleased to announce the following exciting enhancements we have made based on the feedback we received from you:

  • Search Functionality – you can now search for a new member by first name and last name only.
  • Temp ID Card – you can now download a temporary ID card for your employee as they await their permanent card.
  • Invoice Download – you can now download a summary view with a total of all invoices.

Portal Reminders:

  • Your User ID is not your Email Address – if you are unsure of what your User ID is, please contact your account manager.
  • Employer Portal Resources – are available here: https://www.dentalcareplus.com/employers/employer-portal-resources/
  • Invoice Notifications and Portal Registration – only those registered on the employer will receive invoice notification emails.

If you are not yet registered on the employer portal:

Please contact EmployerPortalSupport@greatdentalplans.com or contact your account manager for instructions. 

Coming Soon – New Processes

Please be on the lookout for emails explaining new processes for student verifications, past due premium collection, and EFT recurring payment setup. These will be sent over the next few weeks.

Updated Avesis Enrollment Forms Available

If you have an Avesis vision plan through DCPG, please ensure you have the most current enrollment form:

 

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Anthem COVID-19 Vaccines Flyer and New Dental Cost Estimator

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Anthem has provided new tools for brokers to provide to their clients. See below for more information.

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Flyer

As COVID-19 vaccines roll out across the country, you and your clients may have questions about how they were developed and their safety. Anthem has provided a shareable flyer to help you and your clients better understand the vaccines.

Dental Cost Estimator Added to Find Care Tool

Anthem’s Find Care member tool can now estimate dental costs for all Prime and Complete network dental plans. Members can find it through the Sydney Health app and on anthem.com.

Contact your Cornerstone representative for more information.

The Dental Care Plus Group Continues to Integrate with DentaQuest

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Deeper Integration with DentaQuest Brings Exciting Enhancements

The Dental Care Plus Group is now part of, DentaQuest, an organization that manages dental and vision benefits for more than 30 million Americans.

In the coming weeks and months, they will start sharing our new look and feel. Their materials and communications will look different but will include the essential information you and your clients need.

Broker hub will be available until January 31, 2021. On February 1, 2021, DCPG will launch the new broker portal with many new features, including:

  • Access to commission statements
  • Single sign-on to group administration and billing portals
  • Ability to manage group sales information
  • Ability to track active group renewals

In the new year, they will provide training on our new portal to assist you in navigating their enhanced tools.

Auto-Renewal Updates

Beginning with March 1, 2021, renewals, DCPG will be expanding their auto renewal process to include all groups.

In the future, you won’t have to track down signatures for renewal. Instead, contracts will automatically renew on each anniversary date for an additional term. For your convenience, each month, you will be notified of the group’s upcoming renewal prior to the group administrator’s notification.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Deadlines for The Dental Care Plus Group January 1 Business

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2021 Group Dental Shelf Rates—Two-Year Rate Guarantee

DCPG’s 2021 dental shelf rates for your small (2–50) groups are now available for January 1, 2021, effective dates. New this year: shelf rates are guaranteed for a period of two years on new sales. There is no impact to the renewal strategy. All shelf rate documents can be accessed here.

Groups that have terminated coverage with DCPG are not eligible for the new sale shelf rates for two years from the date of termination.

Important Deadlines For 1/1 Group Dental Business

In order to ensure member ID cards for January 1, 2021, groups are in the mail by January 1, DCPG must be in receipt of the group’s complete sold case submission, including employee enrollment forms or enrollment spreadsheet, by the following dates:
  • EDI Enrollment – November 20
  • Paper Enrollment – November 20
  • Renewal Plan Changes
    1. Plan changes that require new benefit plan set up – November 20
    2. Plan changes that are moving to an existing plan – November 30
  • ASO groups – November 6 to allow sufficient time for SPD set up, review and approval.
  • New Benefit Plan Designs – November 20

Group Vision Shelf Rates for 2021

DCPG’s vision shelf rate plans are available to groups with 2–200 eligible employees for January 1, 2021, effective dates. These rates are guaranteed for a period of two years (on new sales):

Vision benefits are offered through our partnership with Avesis and accessible through a nationwide network of more than 76,000 access points. The network is made up of both independent and retail providers (Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, etc.). Additionally, benefit frequencies are based on plan year versus date of service.

Groups that have terminated coverage with DCPG are not eligible for the new sale shelf rates for two years from the date of termination.

Important Notice Regarding Payments from The Dental Care Plus Group

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Effective October 1, 2020, The Dental Care Plus Group’s commission payment process will be transitioned to their parent company’s (DentaQuest) payment system.

DCPG is making this change as part of an overall enhancement to their commission payment process—including online access to commission statements (launching in 2021).

PLEASE NOTE THIS DOES NOT IMPACT THE CURRENT COMMISSION RATES/SCHEDULES.

For those of you who currently receive commission payments via paper check: your September commission check (paid in October) will be mailed from DentaQuest’s corporate office in Boston and will be branded with the DentaQuest logo.

If you are interested in receiving future payments electronically, please fill out this form and follow the submission instructions on the form.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

Information About The Dental Care Plus Group’s Shelf Rate Reduction

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The Dental Care Plus Group has reduced all dental shelf rate premiums by five percent for effective dates of July 1, 2020, through December 1, 2020. These rates will be guaranteed for two years. Updated rate documents with plan designs and underwriting guidelines are available here on their website.

DCPG will also extend a rate hold on all shelf-rate renewals for those groups with renewal dates in July, August, September, and October.

Contact your Cornerstone representative with any questions.

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