Do you have Delta Dental benefits in Colorado and split your time in another state during the year?
You can still obtain services from Delta Dental in the other state as it is a national network. Use the Delta Dental website or mobile app search tools, enter the zip code where you want to receive the services, and schedule your appointment. The key is that your claim will need to be submitted to Delta Dental of Colorado and not the state where the services were rendered.
Do you Know About the $900 HRA Subsidy through VIA Benefits?
When you are 65 years old and eligible to enroll in VIA Benefits, LM’s Retiree Medical Exchange Administrator, you are eligible for a $900 Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Subsidy. This subsidy is available to both you and your spouse, for a total of up to $1,800 annually. Visit the VIA Benefits page under the MARS website “Benefits” section to learn more.
Have You Compared the “NEW” DeltaVision Plan to the VSP?
Go to the MARS website under the “Vision” section and review the plans comparison to make your best choice!
Does the Delta Dental 12-Month “Waiting Period” Apply to Me if I Switch to Delta Dental in the Middle of a Plan Year?
If a new Delta Dental participant had continuous, like-coverage (Basic & Major services included) for 12+ months, then Delta Dental can waive the waiting periods on the MARS plan as long as they sign-up within 60 days of the other coverage terming. Reach out to Ron Rueger at Delta Dental if this is your situation to ensure you have no waiting period.
MARS VSP Policy vs. the General Public VSP Policy
What is the difference? VSP options available to MARS members include the $150 allowance and $200 allowance ($220 for select frames) plans. The General Public can go direct to VSP, but can only choose between the $150 allowance and $230 allowance – the $150 plan is priced the same as the MARS plans, however, the $230 allowance plan is significantly more expensive than the $200 MARS plan. Therefore, MARS members get access to a better value plan.
Reminder – Delta Dental Opportunity!
On the “Dental” benefits page last month, I identified an opportunity to our MARS members with this policy. The current policy (2024) is valid through December 31, 2024. The renewal policy will now be for a calendar year (effective January 1, 2025) to make it easier for our members to have all benefits plans on a calendar year basis. So what is the opportunity? Do you have major dental work to do in the near future? You can have the major dental work started in 2024 and completed in early 2025 … and save money! How? You would pay your deductible in 2024 and use your annual maximum of either $1,000 (base/medium option) or $1,500 (high option). Then, in January 2025 (under our new calendar year plan), you would pay the deductible again and have the ability to use your annual maximum again, all within months of the dental work being performed.
