Active duty military members and dependents are offered a dental insurance program through Tricare Dental Program under United Concordia. Military members are provided their dental care through their branch of service at no cost to them.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the program, the family member must be enrolled in DEERS. Spouse, children, stepchildren and adopted children are all covered. Children must be unmarried to be covered and under the age of 21. If the child is enrolled in college or is dependent on the parents for more than 50% of their financial support, it is possible to be covered until the age of 23.
Cost
For one family member of dependent, the monthly premium for dental coverage is $12.69. If there is more than one family member who is enrolled in the insurance program, the monthly premium is $31.72 for family coverage. The premium is generally deducted as an allotment from his paycheck each month.
Coverage and Benefits
For diagnostic, preventive and emergency services, there is no cost to the family member. However, all other services have a cost share associated with them. Some of these cost shares are dependent on rank with the family members of E1 to E4 rank paying less than others of higher ranks. There are also cost share differences for those who are stationed overseas versus those who are stationed in the continental United States.
Full coverage and benefit details can be found at the Tricare Dental Program website:
http://www.tricaredentalprogram.com/tdptws/enrollees/benefits/benefits_overview.jsp
When enrolling, family members are committing to an initial enrollment period of at least 12 months. After the first 12 months of enrollment is complete, enrollment in the dental insurance program may continue on a month-to-month basis. If premiums are not paid, TDP can prevent family members from reenrolling in the program in the future.
To enroll, visit the following site:
http://www.tricaredentalprogram.com/tdptws/enrollees/enrollment/activeduty_enroll_how_to.jsp