Intercom

Volume2/1983_April06INTERCOM EXTRA EDITION April 6, 1983 NEW DENTAL PLAN ALLOWS CHOICE OF DENTIST The University will establish a dental insurance plan which will become effective July 1. Insured employees and dependents may select the dentist of their choice. As provided by the Utah State Legislature, the University will pay 80 percent of the premium cost and the employee will pay the balance of 20 percent. The portion of the monthly premium to be paid by the employee through payroll deduction will be approximately $1.70 - for single party coverage, $3.20 for two- party coverage, and $6 for family coverage. Exact premiums will depend upon proposals received from insurance carriers. All U employees eligible for fringe benefits will automatically be enrolled in the plan, except those who submit a written request to be excluded. Under the plan's basic coverage, the University will pay 80 percent of "reasonable and customary" dental costs- based upon what the majority of Utah dentists charge for various dental procedures- up to a maximum of $1,000 per individual per year. The employee must pay for 20 percent of the reasonable and customary charges, and any amount which exceeds $1,000 per year per individual. Procedures included in basic coverage are: - Diagnostic -- Preventive (cleaning, etc.) -- Oral surgery - Restorative (fillings) -- Endodontic (root canals) -- Periodontic (gum treatment) Prosthetic procedures, such as crowns and gold restorations will be covered at 50 percent of reasonable and customary rates. Orthodontic benefits will also be covered at 50 percent of reasonable and customary rates for dependent children whose orthodontics begin before they are 18 years old, with a maximum lifetime coverage of $1,000 per individual. Orthodontics carry a $250 one-time deductible and coverage does not extend to cases begun before the employee enrolled in the plan. "The University's present pre-paid dental plan will be discontinued effective June 30," says Fred Petersen, director of Personnel Administration. "Individuals already enrolled in the University's existing dental plan may continue to use the same dentists under the new plan, or any dentist of their choice." Several provisions and procedures of the plan are s t i l l being worked out but are expected to be finalized in the next several weeks. UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL FORCED TO CUT PAY Effective Saturday, April 9, a five percent reduction in salaries and wages for University Hospital employees will be implemented because of economic conditions that have caused reductions in utilization of health services in Utah and the Intermountain region. Reductions in salaries, wages and other expenses are necessary to maintain the viability of the hospital during this period. The reduction does not affect the balance of the (over) University, including employees of the School of Medicine and departments within University Medical Center that are not part of University Hospital. The reduction in salaries and wages is required for two reasons. The first is the decline in the hospital's patient census. Utilization of health services at hospitals in Utah has dropped, similar to elsewhere in the nation, because of unemployment, which results in lack of health insurance, and because of reduced program support by federal and state governments. The second reason is the failure of the Utah State Legislature to fund the educational costs of University Hospital as requested by the University and the Board of Regents. Reductions in force in University Hospital in addition to those resulting from the hiring freeze that has been in effect since January will be implemented as conditions dictate in coming months. Any subsequent reductions in force will be designed to ensure University Hospital will continue to provide the highest quality care. While present economic conditions require that the hospital cut back in some areas, administrators are very mindful of the need to ensure that University Hospital continues to be in a position to provide for the Intermountain region's health care needs, both now and in the future. PREPARED BY PUBLIC RELATION