SSA - Dental Coverage
Support Staff Association (SSA) members at Columbia University may choose from three dental plans: EmblemHealth Dental Plan, Aetna Columbia Dental Plan or the Aetna Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO).
EmblemHealth Dental
This plan covers preventive, basic and major services. You may choose to use participating EmblemHealth dentists or go to a nonparticipating dentist.
- If you use a participating dentist, no forms are required
- If you use a nonparticipating dentist, you pay the provider then file a claim for reimbursement
- You’ll be reimbursed up to the allowance shown on the EmblemHealth Dental fee schedule for covered services, available from EmblemHealth
- You may pay the difference between the total charge and the amount the Plan covers
For a list of participating dentists, go to: emblemhealth.com/find-a-doctor/directory; select “Dental Preferred;” enter your preferred location to search for participating providers nearby. For more information, call EmblemHealth at 212-501-4443.
You can review the coverage in the EmblemHealth Dental plan and compare it to other plans provided by Aetna Dental.
Aetna Dental
The University offers two comprehensive dental plans through Aetna. Both plans cover the same range of services. No matter which plan you choose, you can locate providers, review your dental benefits coverage, and get cost estimates at aetna.com.
Aetna Columbia Dental Plan (PPO): Choose from a broad range of dentists in three categories, including Columbia University College of Dental Medicine faculty and alumni—the “Columbia Preferred Dental Network”, or dentists in the national Aetna network. You may also see an out-of-network dentist, although your cost may be significantly higher.
Aetna Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO): Under this plan, monthly premiums are generally lower and there is no deductible, or annual or lifetime benefit maximums, for most major services. You must choose a primary care dentist from the Aetna DMO network. Referrals are needed for specialists. Dental services are not covered if the provider is out-of-network.
Compare the benefits offered through the three Aetna plans, as well as a dental plan provided by EmblemHealth.
If you see an Aetna-participating dentist, you will not be billed for any fees that exceed the Aetna negotiated amount. You also do not have to submit any claim forms when you use a network participating dentist. To locate an Aetna participating dentist, go to Vendor Contacts.
When you use a dentist who participates in the Columbia University network, you receive a greater benefit for services. To locate a Columbia Preferred dentist, go to Vendor Contacts.
Columbia Preferred dentists are located throughout the tristate area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Columbia Preferred dentists accept reimbursement for services covered at 100% as payment in full. You are not responsible for paying any fees that exceed the network-negotiated fees. You also do not have to submit any claim forms when you use a network participating dentist.
Columbia Preferred Dental Plan Facilities
Website: cudentalassociates.columbia.edu
Columbia Dental Associates Morningside Associates
1244 Amsterdam Avenue
(near 121st Street)
New York, NY 10027
212-342-2300
and
430 West 116th Street
New York, NY 10027
212-662-4887
Columbia Dental Associates Medical Center Practice
100 Haven Avenue
New York, NY 10032
212-342-0107
Columbia-Presbyterian Eastside Dental Faculty Practice
Columbia Doctors Midtown
51 West 51st Street
Suite 350
New York, NY 10019
212-326-8520
Columbia Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Vanderbilt Clinic
622 West 168th Street
7th Floor
New York, NY 10032
212-305-4552
Everyone enrolled in the Aetna Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO) plan must go to providers in the Aetna DMO network. To keep your dental care on track, consider selecting your primary care dentist (PCD) now, in advance of your regular checkup or whenever you next require dental care. Referrals are needed for specialists and there is no out-of-network coverage.
- If you have not registered on Aetna’s website, create a user account at aetna.com.
- After logging in, search for primary care dentists under “Find care and pricing”.
- Choose your primary care dentist online or by calling Aetna at 800-773-9326.
A primary care dentist (PCD) helps guide your dental care. You and each family member must each choose a PCD from the Aetna DMO network (does not have to be the same PCD). If you go to a dentist other than your selected PCD, you could end up paying more.
- See your PCD for regular exams and to get referrals if you need specialty care
- You can change your PCD once a month on your member website. Switch by the 15th day of the current month. The change will start the first day of the next month.
- Pay your share of the cost. This may be a copay, which is a set dollar amount. Or it may be coinsurance, which is a percentage of the dentist’s charge. Have a flexible spending account (FSA)? You can use the funds to help with these costs.
- No deductible, no claims forms and no yearly dollar limits.
To locate an Aetna DMO participating dentist, go to Vendor Contacts.
The Aetna DMO is only available within certain U.S. States and zip codes. If the DMO is not an available option for you on CUBES, it means that your home address is in a zip code where the DMO is not offered. The DMO is not available outside the U.S.
Currently, the Aetna DMO is available in the following U.S. States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.
Monthly Pre-Tax Contributions for Dental
2024 Monthly Pre-Tax Contributions for Dental
*Dependent children can only be covered for EmblemHealth Dental through the end of the calendar year in which they turn 19.
Note: Part-Time SSA members are not eligible for dental coverage.
Dental ID Cards
Aetna will mail a letter confirming your enrollment—not an ID card. Share a copy of this letter with your dentist, or simply give your name, date of birth and member ID number (or your Social Security Number). If you prefer to have an ID card, go to Aetna’s website to download and print.