Dec 07, 2021
Recent Connecticut legislation going into effect January 1, 2022 requires fully-insured dental and vision policies to allow coverage for children, stepchildren, and other dependent children to the end of the plan year the dependent turns age 26. The new law allows dependents to be covered even if they have access to dental and vision coverage through their own employer. Current employer groups will receive an amendment to their contract that includes the dependent age provision in early 2022.
While the law prohibits Delta Dental from terminating the dependent’s dental or vision benefit before the end of the plan year in which the dependent turns age 26, for ease of administration, they will allow coverage through the end of the day the covered dependent turns 27.
Reinstating previously terminated dependents
Previously covered dependents or dependents scheduled to terminate December 31, 2021 will not be automatically re-enrolled or reinstated. Please note that member must re-enroll or enroll any dependent that was terminated or not covered as of December 31, 2021 but is eligible for and wants dental (or vision, if applicable) benefits.
In order to reinstate or add a dependent that has not yet reached age 27, you will need to take one of the following actions:
- Update your electronic eligibility file,
- Send a written request to our eligibility email at eliginquiry@deltadentalnj.com, or
- Send the written request via fax at 973-285-4142.
- Delta Dental’s secure employer portal cannot be used to add or reinstate these dependents.
Student verification process
As a result of these changes, effective December 31, 2021, Groups will no longer need to verify student status and Delta Dental will no longer produce or send the monthly dependent termination report. Delta Dental will continue to provide a report of the group’s terminated dependents that have reached age 27.
DeltaVision® customers
If employees are enrolled in DeltaVision benefits, the same requirements and process will apply to the vision coverage.
Questions?
Please contact your Delta Dental Account Management team with any questions.
