The Trustees of the DEA, together with Healthplex, have successfully expanded our participating dental provider panel for residents of northern New York State counties (Orange, Putnam, Dutchess and north).  The DEA recognizes the ever-increasing challenge that members residing in these counties have in obtaining participating dental providers, given the significantly higher reimbursement rates that exist in these northern areas of the state.
 
Members residing in Orange, Putnam, Dutchess and other counties north now have access to an enhanced network of providers made available through Healthplex’s Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).  A mailing was sent recently to all active and retired members residing in these northern counties that included a revised area dental participating provider directory reflecting these additional providers.  Members now have access to over 240 dentists at 89 general dental offices and 20 specialty dental offices.  This is an improvement from the prior panel of 15 general dentistry offices and two specialty offices.
 
Please note, this enhanced provider panel applies to the DEA’s Dental Reimbursement Plan only.  These dentists have agreed to accept the Healthplex direct reimbursement as payment in full and cannot balance bill members (i.e., members will not be responsible for the difference between the dentist’s usual and customary charge(s) and the Healthplex reimbursement for covered services). 
 
Members wishing to enroll in the Direct Reimbursement plan can do so by contacting the DEA Health Benefits Office at 212-587-9120.