Are you an active duty member of the U.S. military or a retiree who has served? First, thank you for your service. We appreciate the sacrifices you and your family have made for our country. We owe you a debt of gratitude.
Here in the southeast Minnesota area, our service members, retirees, and their family members are an integral part of our communities. And Main Street Dental Clinics is proud to provide dental care to our military families. But we understand that many of you have questions about your available dental coverage. So, we’ve put together this overview to help answer some of your questions about military dental insurance and retired military dental insurance.
Tricare Dental Plan
As a member of the military, chances are that you’ve heard of Tricare. This is the predominant medical insurance offered to service members and their families. United Concordia administers the Tricare Dental Plan (TDP).
Who can get TDP?
TDP is available to the dependents of active duty service members. This voluntary dental insurance is also available to eligible members of the National Guard, the Reserve, and their family members. Covered individuals can seek dental services under Tricare within the U.S. and overseas. To be eligible, the family member’s military sponsor must have no less than 12 months remaining of their military service commitment. Unmarried children of service members age out of the plan at 21 years, or if they’re in college when they reach 23 years of age. Enrollment periods are 12 months long.
What are some of the Costs?
TDP costs include cost shares and monthly premiums. The premium amounts differ for single plans and family plans, and the military sponsor’s status determines the amount. Currently, the monthly premium for a single active-duty dependent plan is $11.39, and the family plan premium is $29.62. Reserve member premiums are higher.
Your cost-share is your out-of-pocket expense and varies depending on the type of dental service you receive. There are set contract year maximums and lifetime maximums that apply to certain services.
What does it cover?
TDP addresses preventative care, routine services, fillings, orthodontia, and other select dental care. Some examples include:
- Exams and x-rays
- Tooth extractions
- Oral surgery
- Root canals
- Braces
- Dentures and crowns
- Some chronic conditions
How do you sign up?
You can visit milConnect to enroll online with a DFAS or DoD Self-Service account. You can also receive enrollment information by phone or USPS. Call 844-653-4061 within the continental U.S. to speak with a United Concordia TDP representative for more information.
Active Duty Military Dental Insurance
While you’re serving in the U.S. military, you typically access dental care on base from military dental professional providers. However, in some situations, you will need to reach out to civilian dentists for care. This may be due to the remote area where you’re located. Or you may need dental services that aren’t available from the on-base provider.
Referrals
Your military dental provider will give you a referral with an Appointment Control Number (ACN) to obtain services from a civilian dentist in-network via United Concordia. You can then contact an eligible dentist directly to set an appointment.
Remote Areas
If you’re stationed in an identified remote area – such as Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other sites located more than 50 miles from a military dentist – you can receive eligible routine care from civilian in-network dentists. Some services will require prior authorization.
Line of Duty Care – Active Duty Dental Program
Reserve service members may be able to receive LOD emergency dental care while on active duty if they’re injured, fall ill, or contract some form of dental disease and can’t receive ADDP care.
Retired Military Dental Insurance
The Tricare Retiree Dental Plan administered by Delta Dental was the dental insurance offered to military retirees and their family members for several years. But at the end of 2018, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program replaced TRDP.
FEDVIP offers coverage under six national dental insurance plans and four regional plans:
- Aetna Dental
- Delta Dental
- FEP BlueDental
- GEHA
- MetLife
- United Concordia Dental
- Dominion Dental
- EmblemHealth
- Humana
- Triple-S Salud
Eligible retirees and their family members must sign up under the new program to receive coverage, even if they were already previously enrolled in TRDP. Benefits, rates, and premiums vary greatly, depending upon the carrier and plan you choose. You should view the options and compare them to determine what works best for your family.
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If you reside in the southeast Minnesota area and you’re looking for a dental service provider, consider Main Street Dental Clinics. We offer a full range of family dental care, including emergency dental appointments. Contact us to schedule an appointment at your convenience.
