Dental and Vision

Dartmouth offers two dental plans through Northeast Delta Dental, plus two layers of vision coverage: a basic EyeMed benefit included with your medical plan, and an optional standalone VSP plan.

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What's Changing for 2027 Dental Benefits Comparing the Two Dental Plans Dental Costs, Claims, and Account Vision Benefits Comparing VSP and EyeMed Vision Costs, Claims, and Account

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What's Changing for 2027

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Dental Benefits

Dartmouth offers a choice of two dental plans, both with in-network discounts through the Delta Dental PPO and Premier networks. Employees pay the full cost of dental coverage. Dartmouth does not contribute.

Eligibility and Enrollment

All benefits-eligible employees may enroll themselves and eligible family members in either plan. New hires have 30 days from employment to enroll. Otherwise, enrollment is during fall Open Enrollment, or through a qualifying life event that caused a loss of external dental coverage. A change in your dental needs during the year is not a qualifying life event, so changes to your dental coverage are made during Open Enrollment.

ID Cards and Mobile App

Allow 7 to 14 days for new ID cards (two identical cards cover the whole family). Open Enrollment doesn't trigger new cards unless you're new to a plan, and cards arrive before the new year. Lost cards: call Delta Dental or print one from your online account. A mobile app is also available for ID cards, provider lookup, and more. Search for "Delta Dental Mobile App" in the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android).

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Comparing the Two Dental Plans

Cost-share shown is for in-network providers. Out-of-network is allowed but typically costs more.

Comparing the two dental plans

Plan	What it covers	Good to know
Low Plan	Lower-cost option covering preventive and basic restorative care.	Does not cover orthodontia or major restorative services like crowns, bridges, and implants.
High Plan	Higher-cost option covering basic and major restorative care, plus orthodontia and TMJ mouthguards.	Orthodontia is available for children and adults. See the orthodontia details below.

Low Plan Summary of Benefits (PDF) High Plan Summary of Benefits (PDF)

Orthodontia (High Plan)

The HOW Program (Both Plans)

Health through Oral Wellness (HOW) offers extra no-cost benefits for those who need them, including discounts on home care items (PDF) like electric toothbrushes.

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Dental Costs, Claims, and Account

Dental Plan Rates

Use the Benefit Plan Cost Estimator to see rates. Rates are the same across all employment categories (Dartmouth doesn't subsidize this benefit).

Find a Dentist

Search the PPO and Premier network directory at nedelta.com ("Find a Dentist," top right of every page). Guest search is available if you're not yet enrolled. PPO providers offer deeper discounts. Some services qualify for teledentistry (consultations, treatment, information transfer). To start a virtual visit, call (866) 393-4022 or go to teledentistry.com/northeast-delta-dental (Teledentistry.com website).

Create an Account

Once registered, you can find a dentist, print ID cards, view claims, and more. You will need your Subscriber ID from your card or from Customer Service. A mobile app is also available.

1. Go to nedelta.com.
2. Click Patients, then Log In or Register Here.
3. Complete registration.

Filing a Claim

In-network dentists file directly with Delta Dental. For out-of-network care, you may need to file yourself using the Delta Dental Claim Form for non-participating dentists. Out-of-network claims may be subject to balance billing.

Additional Discounts

Subscribers and dependents get vision and hearing discounts through EyeMed (PDF), plus home-care discounts (like electric toothbrushes) through the HOW program.

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Vision Benefits

Dartmouth offers two layers of vision coverage. A basic EyeMed benefit is included automatically for anyone (and their family) enrolled in a Dartmouth medical plan. An optional standalone VSP plan, which does not require medical enrollment, covers frames, lenses, and contacts on an allowance basis.

Eligibility and Enrollment: VSP Vision Plan

• Open to all benefits-eligible employees as a standalone benefit. You do not need to be enrolled in a Dartmouth medical plan.
• The employee pays the full cost. You can cover your spouse, children, and stepchildren.
• Dartmouth couples cannot cover each other, and only one parent may cover the children.
• Enroll through FlexOnline.

ID cards: VSP doesn't issue one. Your in-network provider looks you up by name, date of birth, and Dartmouth ID. You can use both VSP and EyeMed together if your provider agrees to bill both.

Eligibility and Enrollment: Cigna Vision with EyeMed

Automatic for anyone (and family members) enrolled in a Dartmouth medical plan, with no separate action needed. EyeMed cards mail to each covered member.

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Comparing VSP and EyeMed

Comparing VSP and EyeMed

Feature	VSP (optional)	EyeMed via Cigna (basic)
Enrollment	Optional standalone plan. No medical enrollment required. Enroll through FlexOnline.	Automatic with any Dartmouth medical plan.
Cost	Employee pays the full cost. See the Cost Estimator for rates.	No separate rate. It's bundled into your medical plan.
Eye exam	In-network exam copay is $0.	One routine eye exam per year at no cost in-network.
Frames and contacts	An allowance toward frames or contacts every 12 months. Retail frames $200/yr, featured-brand frames $220/yr, Costco-equivalent frames $110/yr, elective contacts $200/yr.	See the Summary of Benefits documents below for your medical plan.
Out-of-network	Available at a lower reimbursement rate.	Submit an out-of-network claim to Cigna Vision for reimbursement at 70% of billed cost. Find the claim form on Cigna's Health Insurance & Medical Forms page (no login required), or in myCigna under Popular Links, Find a Form.

VSP Extra Discounts

VSP members also get these extras:

• VSP Exclusive Member Extras (PDF)
• Eyeconic online shopping (Eyeconic website)
• TruHearing hearing aid discounts (PDF)

Summary of Benefits Documents

EyeMed Summary: OAP and CCF (2027), coming soon EyeMed Summary: HDHP (2027), coming soon

If you're enrolled in a Cigna medical plan and take no action at Open Enrollment, you remain enrolled in Cigna Vision/EyeMed. If you're already enrolled in VSP and take no action, you stay enrolled.

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Vision Costs, Claims, and Account

Finding a Provider

Use the VSP provider lookup for VSP network providers, and the EyeMed provider lookup for EyeMed network providers. Both are searchable by location.

Creating an Account

VSP. VSP also has a mobile app.

1. Go to vsp.com and click "Create an Account" (top right).
2. Complete registration using your NetID as your Member ID.

EyeMed. EyeMed is managed through the same mycigna.com login used for medical.

1. Register at mycigna.com if you haven't already.
2. Go to Coverage, then Vision, then Visit Cigna Vision.

Filing an Out-of-Network Claim

VSP

1. Log into vsp.com.
2. Go to Benefits and select "Oops! Did you go Out-of-Network?"
3. Click Submit a Claim and follow the prompts.

EyeMed (through mycigna)

1. Log into mycigna.com.
2. Go to Claims, then Claims again, and select claim type "vision."
3. Proceed to the EyeMed site and go to Claims, then Out-of-Network Claims.
4. Click Submit Online, or use the paper claim form. To find the form, use Cigna's Health Insurance & Medical Forms page (no login required), or log in to myCigna and select Find a Form under Popular Links.

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