Delta Dental Offering New Plan for UAW Retirees Losing Their Benefits

OKEMOS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana today announced it is making a unique individual dental plan available to UAW-represented General Motors and Chrysler retirees nationwide so they can continue their dental coverage to help maintain good oral health.

“As a result of the significant global recession and the restructuring occurring in the U.S. auto industry, many retirees are now facing reduced health coverage at a time when they truly need it most,” said Dr. Thomas Fleszar, chief executive officer of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. “Maintaining good oral health through our special retiree plan will help them maintain their overall health as well.”

The individual plan has several affordable options. It has been available to salaried retirees from Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, which previously reduced or eliminated employer-paid health benefits. Based on the success of that program and Delta Dental’s commitment to its enrollees, the company is expanding the program to the UAW-represented hourly retirees, their spouses and families.

By signing up for this plan, retirees will continue to access significant savings on their dental care through the Delta Dental network of participating dentists, which is the largest in the nation. The coverage includes routine services like oral exams, cleanings and X-rays, as well as more complex services like bridges, crowns, dentures, denture repairs, fillings, gum disease treatment, oral surgery and root canals.

“Many of these individuals have had Delta Dental group coverage for more than 30 years and have told us they would like to continue it,” said Fleszar. “We’re pleased we can offer this individual option so they can do so.”

UAW-represented retirees of General Motors and Chrysler will need to sign up within 60 days of losing their coverage in order to avoid eligibility waiting periods.

To get more information about the coverage and to enroll, UAW-represented GM and Chrysler retirees should call 1-888-607-7001. Information also is available on Delta Dental’s Web site at www.deltadentalmi.com.

About Delta Dental

Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, with its affiliates in Illinois, Kentucky, New Mexico and Tennessee, is one of the largest dental plan administrators in the nation. In 2008, the enterprise paid nearly $2.5 billion for dental care for more than 8 million enrollees. Offices are located in Okemos and Farmington Hills, Mich.; Lisle, Ill.; Indianapolis and Greenwood, Ind.; Louisville, Ky.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; and Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis, Tenn.

Delta Dental

Media Contact: Ari Adler

Corporate & Public Affairs

(517) 347-5292

[email protected]

Source: Delta Dental