Child in dentist chair gives thumbs up

By Jim Absher

The Tricare Dental Plan (TDP) is giving its policyholders an extra $300 to spend on dental care this year as a result of the COVID-19 national emergency.

The dental plan is available to active duty family members, eligible National Guard and Reserve members and their family members.

Since many people were unable to receive necessary dental procedures as a result of social-distancing requirements and state medical office restrictions, the $300 increased coverage is designed "to compensate for the downtime when services weren't available,” Tricare officials said in a release.

United Concordia, the administrator of the program, made the announcement on their website.

Normally, the annual maximum benefit amount under the plan is limited to $1,500 per person. As a result of this change, the program will pay an annual maximum benefit of $1,800 per person. The additional coverage is automatic and requires no action on your part. It does not increase the max lifetime coverage for orthodontics.

The increased maximum benefit will remain in effect through April 30, 2021.

The Tricare Dental plan is a voluntary insurance program available worldwide to family members of active duty and eligible Guard and Reserve members, as well as inactive Guard and Reserve members. The program covers dependent children until age 21, or age 23 if full-time students. For the current contract year (May 1 - April 30) the monthly premium is $11.60 for an individual and $30.15 for a family.

Retirees are covered under the FEDVIP dental insurance program.

See: Retiree Dental Insurance