Kokua Line: Go online or call insurers to choose dental plan ASAP

Dec. 06--Question: You had an article that said retired military need to sign up for dental. I need the phone number or a list of the companies that we can call.

Answer: You are referring to the Oct. 5 Kokua Line column (808ne.ws/105kline), which said the Tricare Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) is ending on Dec. 31, to be replaced by the Office of Personnel Management's Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).

Military retirees and family members in TRDP who want to have dental coverage in 2019 must choose a FEDVIP option by Monday, when insurance enrollment Open Season closes. TRDP members won't be automatically enrolled in a new dental plan; they have to make a choice.

There are 10 dental insurance carriers offering a range of benefits and premiums. You can compare plans and rates at tricare.benefeds.com, which is also where you'll enroll. Or you can call the companies directly to ask questions:

>> Aetna Dental: 1-877-459-6604

>> Delta Dental: 1-855-410-3255

>> Dominion Dental: 1-855-836-6337

>> Emblem Health: 1-800-624-2414

>> FEP BlueDental: 1-855-504-2583

>> GEHA: 1-877-434-2336

>> Humana: 1-877-692-2468

>> MetLife: 1-888-865-6584

>> Triple-S Salud: 1-800-716-6081

>> United Concordia Dental: 1-877-394-8224

You also may call FEDVIP's customer service center at 1-877-888-3337 with questions about enrollment, which, we emphasize, ends Monday. These agents can't recommend specific plans or providers, just provide general information.

The switch also means that retirees' family members will be eligible for vision insurance under FEDVIP for the first time. Find out about vision coverage at tricare.benefeds.com, or by calling:

>> Aetna Vision: 1-877-459-6604

>> FEP Blue Vision: 1-888-550-2583

>> United Healthcare Vision: 1-866-249-1999

>> Vision Service Plan (VSP) Vision Care: 1-800-804-0764

The new dental and vision coverage you choose would take effect Jan. 1.

Q: I was disappointed to miss the light parade but we were out of town. Will they show it again on TV? Also, do they leave the lights on all night?

A: Yes, and yes. The 50-foot Christmas tree at Honolulu Hale and other outdoor decorations on the civic center grounds are illuminated nightly from about 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., through Jan. 1, according to the city.

The tree-lighting ceremony and parade that occurred Dec. 1 will be rebroadcast multiple times this month. Here is the TV schedule, according to the city:

On Olelo Cablevision Spectrum Channel 53:

>> Dec. 16: Tree-lighting ceremony 8 p.m., parade 8:30 p.m.

>> Dec. 17: Tree-lighting ceremony 4 p.m., parade 4:30 p.m.

>> Dec. 24: Tree-lighting ceremony 10:30 p.m., parade 11 p.m.

>> Dec. 25: Tree-lighting ceremony 3:30 p.m., parade 4 p.m.

In addition, parade specials will air on KHON2 on Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 23 at 4 p.m. and on Spectrum Digital 93 on Dec. 23 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 25 at 9 p.m., according to the city's website.

Mahalo

Mahalo to Sabrina, a Hawaiian Airlines customer relations representative, who assisted a distraught senior. After waiting at the post office parking lot for 45 minutes beyond the Alaska Airlines arrival time to pick up my sister and not hearing from her by cellphone, I left my car and proceeded to the terminal to inquire about the Alaska Airlines arrival. The first airline check-in area was Hawaiian Airlines and Sabrina was available to respond to my dilemma/request. She graciously proceeded to use her iPhone to check on the Alaska Airlines arrival and informed me that the flight was delayed by one hour. What a relief that I had not missed or lost my sister at the airport. -- Grateful senior

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Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email [email protected].

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