Multiple Option Dental Program

Palm Beach County is requesting proposals for a Multiple Option Dental Program under RFP 26-041/DJ covering county employees, Palm Tran employees, and Supervisor of Elections employees, with proposals due June 24, 2026. The contract runs January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2029.

Proposers must offer five dental plan options: DHMO Plan (Basic), DHMO Plan (Enhanced), DPPO Low Plan, DPPO High Plan, and DPPO Premier Plan. The county does not currently contribute to dental plan premiums but reserves the right to do so in the future. Proposers must provide pricing across five coverage tiers: Employee Only, Employee + 1, Employee + 2, and Employee + 3 or more. Multi-year rate guarantees or single-year guarantees with optional rate caps for subsequent years are acceptable; proposals must certify that all benefits equal or exceed current benefit slates. DHMO and DPPO rates must be quoted together at future renewals, not as standalone offerings.

Critical operational requirements include guaranteed DHMO copayments through the contract with 180-day notice for rate changes (or notice by June 30 annually) and 240-day notice for initial rate indications (or notice by April 30 annually). Proposers must complete a detailed questionnaire addressing general administration, provider networks in Palm Beach, Broward, and Martin counties (including three-year provider addition and departure data), claims administration, benefits design, self-billing accommodations, enrollment support during open enrollment, personalized ID cards at no additional charge, COBRA administration, retiree billing services, pediatric dentist availability, performance guarantees up to $50,000 for provider recruitment, member satisfaction survey results, and disruption/GeoAccess analyses. Proposers must maintain A.M. Best, Moody's, or Standard & Poor's financial ratings or provide explanation of absence.

The incumbents under the current program are Solstice Benefits, Inc., serving the PBC Board of County Commissioners under multiple policies (DHMO and DPPO variants). Recent claims experience (March 2024–February 2026) shows PPO plan monthly claims ranging from approximately $74,900 to $136,355 with subscriber growth to approximately 2,500 and members to 4,500 as of January 2026; DHMO plan monthly claims between $28,192 and $47,510 with higher enrollment stability. Proposal responses must include completed price and benefit appendices with all required certifications; incomplete submissions will be rejected immediately.