Dental Coverage Options

MSU offers dental coverage options through Delta Dental and Aetna to all benefits-eligible full-time and part-time (50-89.9%) 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 PPO
  • Delta Dental PPO Premium
  • Aetna DMO
  • Aetna Premium DMO

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

Delta Dental 

Delta Dental PPO

This plan typically allows more freedom in selecting service providers and services performed. This coverage includes a 50% co-pay on all services and a $600 Annual Maximum and a $600 Lifetime Orthodontic Maximum. Delta offers hundreds of participating providers and allows you to seek care from both participating and non-participating providers (you may incur additional costs if you use a non-participating provider). Contact Delta Dental for information on participating providers.

Delta Dental PPO Premium - NEW for the 2024 Plan Year

This plan offers additional services such as sealants and adult orthodontics. It has a higher level of coverage for many dental services, including 100% coverage for diagnostic and preventative services, and a $2,000 Annual Maximum and $2,000 Lifetime Orthodontic Maximum. Additionally, diagnostic and preventive services do not apply to the annual maximum.

Delta Dental Comparison Tool

Wondering whether the basic or premium Delta plans would be more cost effective for you?  This “Modeler” tool 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 coverages and costs between the Delta Basic and Premium plans only – Aetna plans are not included in the model.

Delta Dental Contact Information and Resources:

Aetna

Aetna DMO and Aetna Premium DMO

In a Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO) like Aetna DMO and Aetna Premium DMO, enrollees select a participating primary care dentist. Their primary dental care is provided by that dentist and only at locations and by dentists that participate in the plan. Although the choice of providers is more limited, it 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 or Aetna Premium DMO, 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 Plan

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

Aetna Contact Information and Resources:

Questions: please contact the HR Solutions Center at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434 (toll-free: 800-353-4434)