HARTFORD, Connecticut--Aetna has announced that it has launched a Dental Plan Selection and Cost Estimator Tool to assist employees in choosing their dental plan during open enrollment by allowing them to compare Aetna and non-Aetna dental plans.
This interactive decision-support tool allows employees to estimate their out-of-pocket dental care costs, compare dental plans and determine which plan best meets their needs and those of their families.
Features of the dental plan selection tool include:
*Access to costs for up to five Aetna dental plans
*Employee out-of-pocket costs, co-insurance and anticipated employer costs
*A tool that allows members to select dental procedures they anticipate having performed when selecting their dental plans
*The ability to select the number of family members who need coverage and the level of care they need
*Access to Aetna's glossary of dental procedures
*Comparison of plans with a non-Aetna Plan
Compare plans with a non-Aetna plan
A unique feature of The Dental Plan Selection and Cost Estimator Tool allows larger employers who offer a choice of different dental plans to conduct a side by side comparison of Aetna plans to a non-Aetna plan.
This feature is particularly beneficial to family members who have another insurer and would like to compare their plan with Aetna's. The results will compare estimated costs of dental care services as well as a cost breakdown of the amount paid by the employee and the Dental Plan.
"We believe this tool is another value-add service to our plan sponsors and members," said Dana Benbow, head of products and services for Aetna Dental. "We want members to know how to make the best possible benefit decisions by understanding the cost of health and dental care services under various dental plan options. The Dental Plan Selection and Cost Estimator tool provides information to help them accomplish that."
Tools for an informed decision
By entering basic information including their zip code, family members who will be covered and the extent of dental care each family member requires, the dental tool will produce a list of services that the family may need and the out-of-network cost for each service, with an option to modify that list as necessary. The tool also illustrates the costs for the employee, in and out of network as well as the employer costs.
In 2004, Aetna rolled out the Cost of Care Estimator for dental procedures. This interactive decision-support tool enables members to learn the estimated cost of common dental procedures in their area before the services are performed.
Aetna's Dental Plan Selection and Cost Estimator tool enhances this capability and also builds upon the Plan Selection tool available to plan sponsors to assist employees in choosing their Aetna dental plan.
