The following changes became effective November 1 , 2021 , for all members covered by the ARTA Dental Care plan :
1 . The two $ 800 annual Major Services plan maximums under Dental Care Option A have been combined into one $ 1,600 annual maximum .
2 . The exclusion in the Dental Care plan defaulting to the cost of amalgam fillings for posterior teeth has been removed .
● The previous policy wording only allowed up to the cost of amalgam fillings for posterior teeth , even though these fillings are not usually offered by dentists ; composite resin ( white fillings ) are now most common .
In addition to these changes to the current plans , new plans are being introduced :
1 . ARTA ’ s Comprehensive Coverage plans provide coverage to members who retire before age 65 or transition to a new career . Once a covered member reaches age 65 , they can transition to one of the traditional ARTA plans . These new plans went into effect November 1 , 2021 .
2 . The ARTARx plan allows members residing in Alberta to have their medications dispensed by ARTARx , providing higher coverage , lower rates , and home delivery . This plan will be available , effective January 1 , 2022 .
ARTA will continue to review potential plan enhancements while keeping plans affordable for our covered members . Please continue to submit plan change suggestions for the Health Benefits Committee ’ s consideration . Suggestions may be mailed to the ARTA office or emailed to info @ arta . net .
Considering the past year ’ s claims experience for each plan and these plan design changes , the calculated renewal rates for each plan , by sector , are :
● Education Sector : Extended Health Care rates decrease by 7.4 % ( a decrease of 2.8 % for plans which do not include Emergency Travel coverage ) and Dental Care rates increase by 6.9 %.
● Public / Private Sector : Extended Health Care rates decrease by 7.0 % ( a decrease of 3.3 % for plans that do not include Emergency Travel ). Dental Care rates do not change .
● Supplementary Travel rates ( to extend a single trip beyond the base 92-day trip duration maximum ) decrease by 18 %. news & views WINTER 2021 | 11