Dental Coverage Options

MSU offers dental coverage options through Delta Dental (a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)) and Aetna Dental (a Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO)) to all benefits-eligible full-time and part-time (50.0-89.9%) employees. Please refer to the appropriate Benefits Open Enrollment Guide based on your employee type for plan eligibility, premium rates, and coverage charts. The following dental plans are available:

  • Delta Dental Base Plan
  • Delta Dental Premium Plan
  • Aetna DMO Base Plan
  • Aetna DMO Premium Plan

Payroll deductions for dental premiums (if applicable) are deducted on a pre-tax basis, so that employees will save money on their premiums.

Delta Dental

Delta Dental Base Plan

The Delta Dental Base Plan is designed to offer you more convenience in selecting service providers and services performed. With a 50% co-pay on all services, a $600 Annual Maximum and a $600 Lifetime Orthodontic Maximum, you have the freedom to choose from hundreds of participating providers. Moreover, you can seek care from participating and non-participating providers, although using a non-participating provider may incur additional costs. For more information on participating providers, please contact Delta Dental (contact information is below).

Delta Dental Premium Plan

The Delta Dental Premium Plan offers comprehensive coverage. It includes additional services such as sealants and adult orthodontics, and it provides a higher level of coverage for many dental services. With 100% coverage for diagnostic and preventative services, a $2,000 Annual Maximum and a $2,000 Lifetime Orthodontic Maximum, you can rest assured that your dental needs are well taken care of. Importantly, diagnostic and preventive services do not apply to the annual maximum. 

Delta Dental Comparison Tool

Would the Base or Premium Delta plans be more cost effective for you? This “Modeler” tool (download and open in Excel) allows you to enter factors such as single, two-person or family coverage; whether individuals on your plan are likely to have low, average or high dental care needs; and whether any members will need braces to get an estimate of which Delta Dental plan may be more cost effective for your needs.

Please note: This is an illustrative tool to show how the plans might compare under varying circumstances and results are not guaranteed. The tool is designed to help you compare coverage and cost between the Delta Dental Base and Premium plans only – Aetna Dental plans are not included in the model.

Delta Dental Contact Information and Resources:

Aetna Dental

Aetna DMO Base Plan and Aetna DMO Premium Plan

Enrollees select a participating Primary Care Dentist (PCD) in a Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO). Their primary dental care is provided by that dentist only at locations and by dentists who participate in the plan. Although the choice of providers is limited, the DMO tends to cover a greater range of services at lower co-pays and does not have an annual maximum.

If you plan to enroll in the Aetna DMO Base Plan or Aetna DMO Premium Plan, please verify that the dentist you want to use accepts “Aetna DMO” rather than just “Aetna” to avoid rejected claims.

Guidance for Employees that Enroll in an Aetna Dental Plan

Eligibility for Aetna Dental is determined by where you live. Please contact Aetna Dental directly to confirm your eligibility to enroll in this plan based on your state and zip code. Please note that some areas, within Michigan, are not eligible for coverage through Aetna.

Aetna Contact Information and Resources:

Questions: Please contact the HR Solutions Center at 517-353-4434, 800-353-4434 orSolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu.