Retirees and unions press SFHSS on Delta Dental access, VSP records and UCSF provider coverage

San Francisco — Multiple public commenters at the Nov. 9 Health Service Board meeting urged SFHSS to address dental and vision access problems and to monitor a provider‑network negotiation between UnitedHealthcare and UCSF Medical Group.

Retired city worker Richard Rothman said Delta Dental did not cover a gum‑protection procedure his dentist billed as nonemergency and asked staff to review adding specific dental codes to the benefits package. He also requested that VSP providers make eyeglass prescriptions electronically accessible so members can transfer records between providers.

Jeremiah Cadigan, director of Firefighters Union Local 798, said active members report local dentists are no longer accepting Delta Dental, a complaint raised multiple times at union meetings. Fred Sanchez of Protect Our Benefits described a recurring retiree complaint: plan literature that lists two free cleanings but reality in the field where providers bill higher amounts and members see out‑of‑pocket charges.

Executive Director Abby Yant and staff said they are tracking member inquiries, monitoring negotiations between UnitedHealthcare and the UCSF Medical Group, and encouraged members and stakeholders to submit written concerns so staff can consider them in procurement and rates work.

The board did not take immediate regulatory action during the meeting; staff said they would follow up and include network concerns in the upcoming RFP process and member communications.