1505 Dundee Ave. • Elgin, IL 60120 • www.cobbt.org
OPEN ENROLLMENT • NOV. 15-30
Dear Friend,

Have you postponed scheduling an eye exam or routine dental visits because you were concerned about the cost? Consider this information from the Centers for Disease Control website —

  • “Eye problems such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration often have no warning signs… your eye care professional is the only one who can determine if your eyes are healthy.“

  • “Oral health affects our ability to eat, speak, smile, and show emotions. Oral health also affects a person’s self-esteem, school performance, and attendance at work or school.”

A recent survey showed that 40% of adults do not receive regular vision or dental care. The chief reason for this is lack of insurance. Both Vision and Dental insurance help you to establish the healthy practice of regularly seeing an eye doctor or dentist to be evaluated for problems, and get treatment early to stay healthy. For many people, a vision or dental emergency, without insurance to help reduce the cost, can cause financial hardship. Purchasing Vision and Dental insurances is a great way to make the costs of care more affordable so that you can have better overall health.

The Open Enrollment period, which is November 15-30, typically is the one opportunity per year to enroll in group Vision and Dental insurance. Group insurance coverage is usually less expensive than individual coverage, and there is no waiting period to use Brethren Insurance Services benefits.

Vision Insurance provides annual checkups for a $10 copay and significant cost savings on glasses and contact lenses. Dental Insurance provides in-network coverage for preventative services like oral exams and cleaning (deductible may apply). It also provides cost savings on other covered services.

You can learn more about Vision and Dental options by visiting our new insurance web portal at cobbt.mybenefitchoice.com after November 15th, or you can call the Brethren Insurance Service Center at 800-217-0067.

Ed Shannon
Member Education and Engagement
More than meets the eye
See what Vision Insurance can do for you
Most insurance policies pay benefits after the problem has occurred.

  • Vision insurance is designed to prevent problems or keep them from getting worse.

  • It encourages regular preventive care and thus supports overall good health.

  • During an eye exam doctors pay attention to the larger health of the body and sometimes detect other medical problems.

  • Taking care of your eyes is vital because sight is essential to a good and active life.
What’s special about Brethren Insurance Services?

  • Benefits for our group-sponsored plans begin immediately, unlike individual policies that may require as long as a 12-month waiting period.

  • We offer up to three plans through EyeMed.
Why buy your vision insurance from Brethren Insurance Services?

  • Our plans pay for both EyeMed and non-EyeMed providers (benefits are greater with an EyeMed provider).

  • All three plans provide for an eye exam every 12 months with a $10 co-pay.

  • All three plans offer one pair of lenses per person per year. Timing of replacement eyeglass frames and contact lenses varies by plan.

  • The co-pay for eyeglass lenses, whether single, bifocal or trifocal lenses, varies by plan.

  • There is no co-pay for contact lenses, but there is a set sum (allowance) that varies by plan.

  • If the EyeMed plan is combined with another medical plan, EyeMed will pay as a secondary insurer if your medical plan covers office visits for vision.

  • There is a 20 percent discount for lens options such as tints, U.V. treatments, anti-scratch coating, anti-reflective coating.

  • There is a discount of 5 to 15 percent for Lasik and PRK procedures.

  • There are discounts for additional pairs of glasses or contacts once the benefit has been used.



More than a pretty smile
The case for dental insurance
  • Most insurance policies pay benefits after the problem has occurred.

  • Dental insurance is designed to prevent problems or keep them from getting worse.
Why is dental hygiene important?

  • The mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria.
  • Dental plaque is linked to infections and diseases.
  • Healthy saliva disables bacteria.
  • Good oral health is a window into
  • your overall health.

Dental insurance takes the bite out of your dental bill

  • With Brethren Insurance Services, you will be able to maintain your dental health without draining your budget. Remember, when your teeth and mouth are in good shape, it’s more likely that you will be too.

The plan provides:
100 percent coverage for
  • Checkups
  • Cleanings
  • X-rays
  • Fluoride treatments*
  • Sealants*

80 percent coverage for
  • Fillings
  • Extractions
  • Endodontics
  • Non-surgical periodontics
  • Oral surgery

*Age restrictions apply to these services.
50 percent coverage for
  • Surgical periodontics
  • Inlays
  • Onlays
  • Crowns
  • Dentures
  • Bridges
  • Implants
  • Orthodontics*

Payout ceiling and deductible
$2,000, $1,500, or $1,000 determined by the premium you pay. Some services may be subject to a deductible.
So, how will dental insurance from Brethren Insurance Services help improve your dental hygiene?

  • Since the plan covers 100 percent of the cost of two checkups per calendar year, you will be more likely to get your regular checkups.

  • By emphasizing prevention, the plan enables your dentist to anticipate problems and correct them before they become serious.

  • The plan offers discounts on many procedures. Discounts may vary according to provider and network status. These discounts continue even after you reach your maximum, meaning your dental dollars stretch even further.
OPEN ENROLLMENT — Nov. 15-30, 2021
New this year: online enrollment! Through our new partnership with Milliman for insurance services, we now offer enrollment online. After November 15, go to cobbt.mybenefitchoice.com and follow the prompts.

You may also call 800-217-0067 for assistance. Even if you do not have changes to make or additional insurance products to add, log in to make sure your beneficiaries are set and your benefits are as expected.
A not-for-profit ministry of Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust Inc.