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Dental Insurance

The Altus Dental plan is free for eligible Graduate Employees & Postdocs.
Plan Highlights

 

  • ​​100% coverage for preventative care, like exams, x rays, and up to 4 cleanings/plan year

  • 80% coverage for procedures like fillings

  • 65% coverage for procedures like crowns

  • NEW FOR 2025-2026: INCREASED orthodontic for adults up to $1500 and coverage for children to age 19

  • NEW FOR 2025-2026: INCREASED $2350 calendar year maximum

  • TMJ coverage covered @ 65%  up to $500

  • Fluoride treatment for all covered members for a total of two treatments per year @ 100% 

  • Athletic mouth guards for dep children under age 19 once every 24 months covered @ 65% 

  • Teeth Whitening once per arch every 60 months covered @ 65% 

  • Reimbursement for out-of-network benefits will be based on the 95th percentile of “reasonable and customary”

  • $0 deductible when you see an in-network dentist (a once per year deductible applies for out-of-network providers: $75 for individuals and an aggregate $225 for families.)

  • FREE access to SmileMore from Altus Dental for high-risk dental patients.

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Note: please review the plan in full before using insurance

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Altus Dental plan, you must be one of the following:

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  • A Trust Fund-eligible graduate employee or postdoc

  • the dependent spouse of a Trust Fund-eligible graduate employee or postdoc

  • the same or opposite sex domestic partner of a Trust Fund-eligible graduate employee or postdoc

  • the child of a Trust Fund-eligible graduate employee or postdoc up to age 26 (19 for the vision plan)

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No other family members are eligible for coverage under the plan.

Coverage Cost for Grad Employees:

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  • Single: FREE

  • Single + 1 Plan: (you + a spouse/partner OR child): $100/year​

  • Family Plan: (you + multiple dependents): $100/year

Coverage Cost for Postdocs:

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  • Single: FREE

  • Single + 1 Plan: (you + a spouse/partner OR child): $10/month​

  • Family Plan: (you + multiple dependents): $20/month

Finding a Dentist

​In the "Your Plan" field, where it asks about the "Connection Dental Network," select "Yes" as shown below. Then enter your location information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Questions? Call Customer Connections department at 877-223-0588 or email customerservice@altusdental.com.You should always confirm that your dentist or facility is participating in our network at the time you make your appointment.

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Note: When you are using the dental plan outside of MA, RI and VT, please let the provider know you have the Connection Dental and Dentemax Network. These networks are what makes our policy national.

Using Benefits Out-of-Network

While you maximize your benefits when seeing an Ameritas dentist, you can still choose to go out-of-network. Reimbursement for your out-of-network benefits are based on the 95th percentile of “reasonable and customary” charges (see description for details). To request out-of-network reimbursement, submit your claim form (above) to:

 

Altus Dental Insurance Co., Inc.
P.O. Box 1557

Providence, RI 02901-1557

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Be sure to attach your receipt from the dental office.

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Pretreatment Estimates

It's important to ask your dentist for a pre-treatment estimate prior to having any procedures beyond basic cleanings.  That way, you'll know in advance exactly what portion of the costs your benefits will cover and what you will be required to pay out of pocket.

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If You Have More Than One Dental Plan
Benefits Plan Year

The benefit plan year is 8/1 to 7/31. This means that your $2350 plan year maximum renews each year on 8/1, as well as your deductible responsibility. 

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Questions? Connect with us.

Phone: ‪(413) 200-0423‬

Fax: (866) 795-2684

Email: uwdental@umass.edu

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Mailing Address (not physical address):

UAW/UMass Health & Welfare Trust Fund

6 University Drive

Suit 206-229

Amherst, MA 01002

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