FALLS CHURCH, Va. –
A winning smile needs maintenance—including dental care. If you’re enrolled in the
TRICARE Dental Program, you can get cost-effective, accessible dental services in the U.S. or abroad.
“TRICARE offers a comprehensive dental benefit for military families,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Xiang Li, dental program analyst at the Defense Health Agency. “Enrolling is easy, and there are many ways for families to use the coverage depending on their needs.”
TDP is a voluntary, premium-based dental plan administered by United Concordia. It’s available for purchase by:
Active duty service members have separate and automatic dental coverage. They get their dental care at military dental clinics or through the Active Duty Dental Program.
How to get coverage
Before you enroll in the TDP, check the
Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System to make sure your information is up to date. United Concordia might reject your enrollment if any information is missing or if the information in your enrollment request doesn’t match what’s in DEERS.
You can enroll in TDP any time, as long as your sponsor has at least 12 months remaining on their service commitment. Here’s how:
| Online |
- Log in to milConnect.
- Choose “Benefits,” then “Beneficiary Web Enrollment.”
- Choose the “Dental Enrollments” tab to enroll in a dental plan.
Note: This option isn’t available overseas. |
| Phone |
CONUS: 844-653-4061
OCONUS (toll-free): 844-653-4060
OCONUS (toll): +1-717-888-7400 |
| Mail |
Download the TRICARE Dental Program Enrollment/Change Authorization Form. Mail it with your first monthly premium to:
United Concordia
TRICARE Dental Program
P.O. Box 645547
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-5253 |
When does coverage take effect?
After United Concordia receives your enrollment form, they’ll verify your family’s eligibility in DEERS and check that your
premium payment is correct before verifying your enrollment.
All your eligible family members need to enroll. If you have a family plan (two or more people), enrollment will be automatic for new babies on the first day of the month after they turn 1.
Your effective date of coverage depends on the date United Concordia receives your enrollment application and first month’s premium payment. If your enrollment is verified by the 20th of the month, your coverage starts on the first day of the next month. After the 20th of the month, your coverage starts on the first day of the following month. For example, an enrollment verified between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20 would take effect on Mar. 1.
Important: If you get any dental care before your coverage start date, you’ll have to pay for the full cost of your care.
There’s also a minimum enrollment period of 12 months. After that, you can cancel any time.
Costs and claims
Premiums and cost-shares vary depending on sponsor and member status, as described in the
TRICARE Dental Program Brochure. You’ll need to pay the first month’s premium before your coverage takes effect. If your dentist is non-network and doesn’t file claims with United Concordia, you can
submit a claim directly to United Concordia.
How to find a dentist
You can see any licensed and authorized dentist you choose in the CONUS service area, but staying in network saves you money and paperwork. To find a network dentist, you can:
In OCONUS locations, dentists may ask you to pay for covered services up front. If you see a TRICARE OCONUS Preferred Dentist, the most you should pay at the time of your visit is the member cost-share portion of the covered service, and your dentist will file claims for you. Check out a list of TOPDs.
What’s covered
TDP covers a wide range of dental services, from preventive care like cleanings and sealants, to fillings, oral surgeries, and dental implants or dentures. TDP also helps pay for orthodontic services like braces and retainers for members up to age 21, or 23, depending on eligibility.
Other things to know
Create an account with United Concordia
After you enroll, you can
create an account with United Concordia. You can use your account to:
- View dental coverage
- Check a claim
- View claims history
- View explanation of benefits
- Register a chronic condition, pregnancy, or special need
- Choose communication preferences (such as text, email, or mail)
- Access messages in a secure messaging center
How to get help
TDP makes it easy to keep your family’s smiles shining. For more details, check out the
TRICARE Dental Program Handbook. Contact
United Concordia with any questions.
Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions to get benefit updates, news, and more.