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Dental and Vision

Announcement: Excellus BCBS has been selected as the dental insurance provider for 2025. Visit the Open Enrollment webpage for more information about dental and vision coverage changes for 2025.

As a benefits-eligible employee, you may elect dental insurance with or without a vision plan. SEIU bargaining unit employees also have the option of Service Employees Benefit Fund (SEBF) dental insurance with or without the SEBF vision plan.

Dental Plan

Choose the dental plan that will best meet your needs:

  • The preventive plan provides coverage for two annual exams and cleanings per calendar year, as well as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) services.
  • The comprehensive plan provides coverage for services listed in the preventive plan, as well as for basic and major restorative services, oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics.  New for 2025, the University will expand coverage to include coverage of orthodontics.

Both dental options offer two levels of coverage depending on whether the dentist participates in the network. If the dentist does not participate in the network, your out-of-pocket costs will generally be higher. Dentists who do not participate in a network may bill you for the difference between their usual charges and the allowable amount for those services as determined by plan administrator.

Enrollment in a dental option is a two-year commitment as follows:

  • A two-year commitment cycle for the University’s dental and vision plans started Jan. 1, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2024.  A new two-year cycle will begin again on Jan. 1, 2025 – Dec. 31, 2026.
  • Elections made during calendar year 2024 will be in effect through Dec. 31, 2024, unless you experience a qualified life event change.
  • Elections you make in calendar years 2025 and 2026 will be in effect through Dec. 31, 2026, unless you experience a qualified life event change.

For calendar year 2024, contact Delta Dental Member Services at 800.932.0783 (TTY: 711) or log in to the Delta Dental website for more information.

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the University is partnering with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) to provide dental benefits to faculty and staff. To locate providers in the local or national network, visit excellusbcbs.com/find-a-doctor/dentist and select either Dental Blue Options or National Dental GRID+ Dente Max. For assistance, contact Excellus BCBS at 800.662.1220 (TTY: 800.662.1220) Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST or Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.

Vision Plan

Vision benefits are provided through VSP. Vision is not available as a separate option in 2024, but will become a standalone benefit offering on Jan. 1, 2025.

You can use any licensed dentist or optometrist, but you will keep your out-of-pocket costs lowest if you use participating providers for your dental and vision care. VSP’s network is primarily independent doctors of optometry, but the network does include some retail chains. If you choose to use a non-VSP provider, your coverage is limited. To find a list of participating providers in your area, you can search online on the VSP website or call 800.877.7195 (TTY: 800.428.4833).

Your Cost

Most premiums are paid through pre-tax payroll deduction. Your monthly contributions listed below are based on the 12-month calendar year. Actual deductions from each paycheck will vary depending upon your deduction cycle (weekly or semi-monthly; academic year or calendar year).

Dental and Vision Monthly Contributions for 2024

Preventive Dental and Vision

Coverage TierPreventive DentalPreventive Dental Plus Vision
Employee Only$9.19$13.91
Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner$22.91$32.36
Employee + Child(ren)$25.92$36.18
Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner + Child(ren)$42.98$59.37

Comprehensive Dental and Vision

Coverage TierComprehensive DentalComprehensive Dental Plus Vision
Employee Only$32.04$36.76
Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner$74.49$83.94
Employee + Child(ren)$73.58$83.84
Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner + Child(ren)$114.95$131.34

Dental and Vision Monthly Contributions for 2025

Dental Plan

Coverage TierPreventiveComprehensive
Employee Only$3.35 $31.49
Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner$12.70$73.37
Employee + Child(ren)$14.75$72.47
Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner + Child(ren)$26.38 $113.28

Vision Plan

Coverage TierVision
Employee Only$4.72
Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner$9.45
Employee + Child(ren)$10.26
Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner + Child(ren)$16.39

Submitting a Claim

Participating providers will submit claims on your behalf, and you will pay your share of the cost at the time of your visit. If you use non-participating providers, you may need to pay in full at the time of service and file a claim for benefits.

Should you have any questions, or require accommodations to access any information on this webpage, please reach out to HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042.

Helpful Links

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this website is accurate. However, the benefits are governed by legal documents (which, in certain circumstances, may include insurance contracts). If there is any difference between the information in this website and the official documents, the official documents will control. As is the case with all of Syracuse University’s employee benefit plans, the University reserves the right to modify or terminate these benefits at any time.