Typically, the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) is a voluntary dental plan. If you would like to become a sponsor, you can enroll through the Beneficiary Web Enrollment website. Before enrolling, the Tricare enrollment dental requires to be:
- A family member of a National Guard or Reserve member
- National Guard or Reserve member who is not on active duty or covered by the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP)
- A family member of an active duty service member
It is worth noting that you get active duty dental benefits if you are on active duty orders for over 30 days or covered by TAMP.
How can you Enroll for the TRICARE Dental Program?
It is prudent to check the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to confirm all your information is up to date before you enroll in TDP. The TRICARE Dental Program uses DEERS to ensure that you are eligible for coverage. Moreover, your TDP enrollment might be delayed or denied if your enrollment information does not match what is in DEERS.
Enrolling in TDP is pretty simple. You can do so online via milConnect, by mail or by phone. If enrolling by mail, there are two steps:
- Download and complete the TRICARE Dental Program Enrollment or Change Authorization Form.
- Mail it with your first monthly premium payment to United Concordia. Payments can be in the form of check, money order, or credit card.
Minimum Tricare Enrollment Period
The TRICARE Dental Program requires that you enroll for a minimum of 12 months. The following criteria must be followed:
- You must complete the first 12-month enrollment unless you have a valid reason to end coverage.
- Your sponsor must have 12 months remaining on their service commitment.
You can continue on a month-to-month basis after the 12-month period. You can view the TRICARE Dental Program Handbook for exceptions to the minimum enrollment period for more details.
TRICARE Dental Program Plan Options
The TRICARE Dental Program has two options:
- Single (one person)
- Family (two or more people)
If you select a family plan, all eligible family members must enroll except:
- Children under age one – If you have a family plan, your children will automatically qualify for the family plan on the first day of the month after attaining one year age
- Family members living in multiple locations
- Family members who require special medical attention in a hospital or treatment center.
Note that Guard or Reserve enrollments work a little differently. Sponsors enroll separately because their military status may change over time.
- The sponsor and family members enroll separately and pay two distinct premium payments.
- The sponsor can only choose a single plan.
- All family members can enroll under a single or family plan.
- The sponsor does not have to have a plan for families to enroll.
Coverage
When you send your Tricare enrollment dental program form, your insurer will:
- See if you are eligible
- Check that your premium payment is correct
- Process your enrollment
- Contact you if any issues are emanating from your application
When your enrollment is received:
- Your coverage starts on the first day of the next month by the 20th of the month
- After the 20th of the month, your coverage begins on the first day of the second month
If you would like a TDP enrollment card, you can download one online. If you get any dental care before your start date, you will probably have to pay for your care’s full cost.
What are the TRICARE Dental Program Costs?
There are two costs related to TDP: monthly premiums and cost-shares. A premium is the amount you pay every month to get dental coverage. Premiums vary depending on sponsor and member status. A cost-shareA percentage of the total cost of a covered health care service that you pay is the amount you incur for your dental services. The type of dental service you get and the sponsor’s pay grade affect your cost-share. You may also have to pay other fees if you see a non-network dentist.
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