GEO: Why Altus &
What Does it Mean?

We're excited to announce we've partnered with Altus Dental to provide a dental plan that builds on our previous benefit but also allows for many enhancements.
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The Trust Fund engaged in a rigorous bid process during the Spring of 2022, reviewing dental plan proposals from multiple dental insurers, in search of the best overall value to graduate employees.
Altus offered a strong proposal matching our current benefits and including several new benefit enhancements:
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Fluoride treatment for all covered members for a total of two treatments per year @ 100%
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Athletic mouth guards for dep children under age 19 once every 24 months covered @ 65%
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Teeth Whitening once per arch every 60 months covered @ 65%
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What Does it Mean for Me?
Change can inspire worry. The new Altus dental plan can be used with all dentists--some will be in-network and some won't be in network, but you can choose to go to any dentist. The difference is that when you see an out-of-network dentist you are subject to the once per year deductible (the first $75 of a service other than cleanings/exams). Other than that, Altus will pay out on your plan according to the normal percentages (100% for preventative/diagnostic, 80% for type B services like filings and oral surgery, 65% for type C services like crowns) up to the 95th percentile--this means that as long as your dentist is not in the top 5% of dentists in the region in terms of their charges, you will see no difference, no increase, no supplemental billing. As always, we encourage you to ask your dentist for a pretreatment estimate if you are having anything other than diagnostic and preventative services done, regardless of the dentist you choose. A pretreatment estimate means Altus will put in writing exactly how much of your dentist's charges are covered under the plan and what, if anything, you will be responsible for.
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Also, there are great in-network dentists in the Pioneer Valley. You will continue to see new dentists add into the network due to the buying power of our 2900 employees.