Retiree dental coverage available for purchase

American Forces Press Service

FALLS CHURCH, Va. —Good oral health is an important part of maintaining overall health and a military retiree’s access to dental coverage doesn’t end when they hang up their uniform. With the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program, retired servicemembers can purchase affordable dental coverage for themselves and their eligible family members.

The TRICARE retiree dental program is available around the world to retired servicemembers who receive retirement pay, “gray area” retired National Guard and Reserve members who are entitled to but not yet receiving retirement pay and Medal of Honor recipients. Spouses and children up to 21 years old, or 23 years old if they’re full-time students, of these retirees are also eligible for the retiree dental program.

Participants in this voluntary plan may get dental care from any licensed dentist within the program’s designated service area. However, visiting an out-of-network dentist may require participants to pay higher out-of-pocket expenses and file their own claims.

The TRICARE retiree dental program is a premium-based plan administered by Delta Dental and it has cost shares for certain services after beneficiaries reach their $50 per-person deductible. Most preventive, diagnostic and emergency dental services are covered or available for cost-sharing immediately after enrollment, but some services including orthodontics, dentures and crowns are available with a cost-share only after 12 months of continuous enrollment.

The monthly premium rates vary based on the retiree’s location and the number of people covered by the plan. These premiums are automatically deducted from retirement pay. The rates are available at www.trdp.org and adjust Oct. 1 for the next year.

Eligible members may enroll in the TRICARE retiree dental program online, by telephone or by mail. Visit http://www.trdp.org and click “Prospective Enrollees” for more information on rates and benefits.