Acquisition Questions & Answers

How does this affect my SafeGuard benefit plan?

Please be assured that your benefits have not changed as a result of this transaction.

Can I continue to see the same doctor?

A.

Absolutely. You may continue to see your current SafeGuard general dentist and/or vision provider. The SafeGuard provider networks will remain the same for the duration of your current contract, subject to normal changes that occur in the provider network from time to time.

Who do I contact if I have questions or a problem?

Q.

Do I need a new ID card?

A.

There is no need for a new ID card – you can continue to use the one you have. You are still a SafeGuard member and should identify yourself that way whenever you call your provider’s office.

I received a letter about the acquisition – why did you send it to me? (California members only)

You received the letter of notification because you are enrolled in a SafeGuard dental or vision HMO plan in California. The Department of Managed Health Care in California required that we contact you with information about the acquisition of SafeGuard by MetLife. The letter was for your information and to assure you that there are no changes to your SafeGuard benefits. Your plan is the same and you can continue to receive care from the same SafeGuard dental or vision care professional you see now. Nothing has changed in the way you access your benefits or SafeGuard service.

Q.

A.

There are no changes to existing SafeGuard benefits or coverages as a result of the transaction. While you may begin to see the MetLife name and logo on benefit materials and communications in the coming months, there are no changes to current SafeGuard benefits.

Will I have the same Account Manager & Billing Coordinator?

Yes. All of your SafeGuard contacts are the same with the same email addresses and same telephone numbers. If you have questions specifically about the MetLife acquisition, you can call SafeGuard at 800.768.9587 or your Account Manager can assist you.

Is there a change in where we send our monthly payments?

A.

No. Make your checks payable to SafeGuard as you have in the past and send them to the same post office box you’ve always used. All administrative processes and policies remain the same as before the acquisition.

Will you be contacting our enrolled employees?

Members enrolled in a California dental or vision HMO plan will be notified in February, per the Department of Managed Health Care regulations. No communications will be sent to our other plan participants. However, they do have access to information through this website and we’ve created a hand-out you can print and distribute within your organization, if you’d like.

Q.

Do we need to order new supplies or ID cards for our enrolled employees?

A.

There is no need to order new supplies. You can continue to use the same enrollment and collateral materials and our ID cards have not changed.

Q.

A.

If you have not already received a communication from us, you will in the very near future. The basic message contained in the letter is that nothing has changed due to the acquisition. Enrollees are still covered by their existing SafeGuard benefit plans and there are no changes to our administrative policies or procedures.

Do I now have to contract with MetLife?

No. At this time, your contract(s) will remain with SafeGuard. There are no immediate changes to SafeGuard’s administration policies, procedures or healthcare networks. If you wish to provide in-network dental services to MetLife patients but are currently not enrolled in MetLife’s PPO Preferred Dentist Program, please call 1.866.PDP.NTWK (1.866.737.6895) to request information about the program that will include an Application Booklet and current Fee Schedule.

Have my contacts changed?

A.

Your contacts at SafeGuard remain the same and the departments that supported you in the past are still here to provide assistance.

Is there a new address for sending in claims?

Submit your claims to the same address (PO Box or electronic) as you have in the past. There are no changes to the claims process and policies.

Q.

Will I be required to accept MetLife plans now?

A.

No. You are only obligated to accept the plans you have agreed to accept under your SafeGuard contract.

Q.

Will there be new ID cards?

No. Enrollees are covered under their existing SafeGuard plans and they are still SafeGuard participants.

If you have questions specifically about the MetLife acquisition that have not been answered here, please call SafeGuard at 800.768.9587.

Q.

A.

The Department of Managed Health Care in California requires that we notify all subscribers who are enrolled on a dental or vision HMO plan in California. Because we are sending notices to their employees, our clients in California will receive an announcement in their monthly billing statement. If you would like to see a copy of that notice, please contact your SafeGuard Account Executive. Communications to clients with PPO coverage and in other states will be handled individually by each client’s Account Manager.

What changes can I tell my clients to expect in the coming weeks?

While they may begin to see the MetLife name and logo on benefit materials and communications in the coming months, there are no changes to existing SafeGuard benefits, processes or contacts.

	Contracted benefits will remain the same for the duration of the current contract
	Renewal dates are not affected by this transaction
	Members may continue to see their current SafeGuard providers, subject to normal changes that occur in the provider network from time to time
	Administrative, grievance and referral procedures have not changed
	Their contacts at SafeGuard will not change; the telephone numbers and hours of operation have not changed, the billing process is the same and payments should be submitted to the same SafeGuard PO box.

Will SafeGuard Reps be quoting MetLife products?

A.

During this period, SafeGuard Account Executives will be transferred to the MetLife sales organization and will eventually be selling both SafeGuard and MetLife products.

Will my contacts at SafeGuard change?

Please contact your Account Executive and Account Manager. We will keep you informed well in advance if there are changes in the future.

Q.

Will the process for SafeGuard renewals change?

A.

As in the past, you will receive notification approximately 90 days prior to your client’s renewal date that includes the renewal plans and rates and contract term offered.

Q.

Who will issue my commission checks?

Nothing has changed with regard to your commission checks. SafeGuard will continue to issue your check, on the same schedule.

If you have questions specifically about the MetLife acquisition were not answered here, please call SafeGuard at 800.768.9587.