As it enters its fourth year of operation, the retiree dental plan continues to be administered by Altus Dental. According to Lisa Stabile, who is the Altus liaison with the GIC, “We are pleased with the growth that we've seen in the plan during its first 3 years of operation. Currently there are approximately 6,200 enrollees, which is almost a 38% increase since last July.”

There has also been a significant increase in the number of Mass. dentists who have joined the Altus statewide network over the past year - from 1,000 to 1,400 dentists (428 in Rhode Island). If a plan enrollee is treated by a dentist in the Altus network, that dentist has agreed to a reduced fixed rate, which should result in additonal savings for the retiree.

In addition to the premium reductions, the plan has upped its reimbursement levels for covered services by an average of 8%. Altus has also added to the plan its nationwide discount network, which includes some 30,000 dentists, for those who are treated in states other than Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

GIC retirees can join the plan during the annual enrollment period, which ends on May 13 this year. (Remember if you dropped your coverage with the dental plan over the past 3 years, you cannot re-enroll.) Eligible retirees can also contact Altus Dental directly at 1-800-722-1148 or on the web.