We all know that through TRICARE, military dependents can receive healthcare. But did you know that TRICARE also has a dental insurance option?
The TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) is open to all active-duty Servicemembers, including those in the National Guard and Reserve. The only stipulation is that in order to be eligible for TDP, the sponsor must have at least 12 months remaining on his or her service commitment at the time of enrollment. While active-duty Servicemembers themselves are not eligible (as they are treated in their own dental clinics), those in the select Reserve and the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) are.
Those who meet the requirements have three options: enroll online, mail in the forms or fax them in. Users receive confirmation of their enrollment when they receive their dental cards.
To enroll online, visit www.tricaredentalprogram.com. Follow the cues for enrollment, and make sure to have the following information ready: For the sponsor, be prepared to provide his or her military status, Social Security number, date of birth, complete address and telephone number, and, if applicable, other dental insurance information. TDP also allows for survivor enrollment, as well as those with Power of Attorney privileges. Information for dependents includes: full name, relationship to the sponsor, date of birth, complete address and telephone number, and additional dental insurance information. Also, at this time, make sure to have a credit card or your banking information on hand, as you will be making an initial payment into TDP.
Monthly premiums vary in relation to the military status of the Servicemember, and the rates will be changing in the spring of 2012. If there is just one family member enrolled in TDP, the monthly premium rate for an active-duty sponsor will be $12.69, whereas a family premium will be $31.72.
TDP Online also has a benefits calculator based on the zip code users provide. For the area surrounding Joint Base Lewis-McChord, oral exams, X-rays, fluoride, and a routine cleaning will cost you absolutely nothing. Benefit coverage for fillings runs at 80 percent, with crowns, dentures and implants covered by 50 percent. Though these rates are the maximum allowable, the TDP does limit how much each enrollee can have in dental services, with the annual maximum standing at $1,200.
Though users must remain enrolled within TDP for 12 months, there are exceptions to the rule, ranging anywhere from death to a PCS move to an Outside of the Continental U.S. (OCONUS) service area. After the initial 12 month enrollment is up, users are given the option of paying on a month-to-month basis. However, those who fail to pay a premium will be prohibited from reenrolling in the program for 12 months.
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