GEHA Dental Benefits-CONNECTION Dental Plus®-CONNECTION Dental Network
What is the Difference?

Several years ago the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) Program in which GEHA participates stopped allowing medical plans to increase dental benefit packages for federal employees. This action was undertaken to keep medical premium increases as low as possible. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which oversees the FEHB Program, made the decision to maintain medical benefits rather than to increase dental benefits.

GEHA Health Plan Dental Benefits
The dental benefits available under the GEHA health plan have remained at the same level for many years due to the OPM directive. GEHA health plan dental benefits are limited to diagnostic and preventive services-two visits per year including examination, prophylaxis, x-rays of all types and fluoride treatments. GEHA also has limited benefits for amalgam restorations, resin-based composite restorations, gold foil restorations, inlay/onlay restorations and simple extractions.

CONNECTION Dental Plus
Due to the FEHB limitations for dental benefits, the GEHA health plan began offering a separate dental benefits plan called CONNECTION Dental Plus. Benefits are described as "Non-FEHB" benefits in the GEHA plan benefit brochure. Members must pay additional premiums directly to GEHA, with no government contribution toward the premium. CONNECTION Dental Plus offers a full range of dental benefits. It enhances the members' basic dental plan with coverage for services such as routine exams, dentures, orthodontia for children and crowns. It is available to both GEHA health plan members and to all federal employees eligible for FEHB programs, regardless of the members' health plan. There are four classes of coverage, all of which are included in the premium. Class "A" benefits (exams, cleanings, bitewing X-rays and fluoride for children) are covered at 100% when a member sees a Participating Dentist.

CONNECTION Dental Network
Our dental network has been operating since 1996 and is one of the largest dental networks in the nation, with approximately 27,000 Participating Dentists. There are no membership fees for dentists to join. The network was founded and developed by GEHA, and is utilized by GEHA to offer PPO benefits with its supplemental dental product, CONNECTION Dental Plus. PPO USA Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GEHA, actively markets the CONNECTION Dental Network to various groups outside the federal government. The number of covered lives with access to the CONNECTION Dental Network has more than doubled since 1997. In addition to standard paper directories and a toll-free telephone number, members are directed to Participating Dentists through an easy-to-use website directory that is updated monthly.