Everything You Need to Know About Military Spouse Dental Insurance

As a military spouse, navigating dental insurance can be overwhelming, especially when you're already juggling the challenges of military life.

The good news is that there are options available to you. Military spouses can enroll in the TRICARE Dental Program, which offers affordable dental insurance to eligible beneficiaries.

This program is a great option for military spouses who want to take care of their oral health without breaking the bank. With TRICARE Dental, you can expect to pay around $10-$15 per month for individual coverage.

The TRICARE Dental Program covers a range of services, including routine cleanings, fillings, and even orthodontic care for children.

A different take: Military Retiree Dental Insurance

The Tricare Dental Program has a maximum coverage of $1,500 per person, per contract year, with an annual maximum for accident care of $1,200 per person, per year.

There's also a lifetime maximum of $1,750 per person for orthodontic treatment. This means that's the most the program will pay for your care each year.

Some services, like semi-annual cleanings, don't count toward your annual maximum coverage cap and don't carry any cost share fees.

Tricare's dental coverage is separate from medical coverage, and you need to enroll in it separately.

The Tricare Dental Program has a maximum coverage of $1,500 per person per contract year, with an annual maximum for accident care of $1,200 per person per year.

There's a lifetime maximum of $1,750 per person for orthodontic treatment, which is a big relief for those who need extensive orthodontic work.

You'll pay a cost share out of pocket for some services, which varies based on your paygrade. For example, if you're an E-4, you'll pay 30% of the allowed fee for oral surgery.

Some services, like semi-annual cleanings, don't count toward your maximum coverage cap and don't have any cost share fees.

The allowed fee for a service is set by contract between the dental office and United Concordia, and it's based on location.

To get Tricare Dental coverage, you'll need to enroll through the Beneficiary Web Enrollment website.

Your sponsor can enroll you into the Tricare Dental Program, but they can only do so if you have at least 12 months left on your service contract.

The minimum enrollment period is 12 months, and then you can continue on a month-to-month basis.

You can choose from two plan options: single or family. The single plan covers one person, while the family plan enrolls everyone registered in DEERS as a military dependent.

All family members over the age of 1 must enroll if you choose the family plan, but children younger than 1 will be automatically enrolled after their first birthday.

You don't have to enroll family members who are at multiple locations, and you can also exempt family members with a documented need for special medical attention.

To use these exemptions, you'll need to contact United Concordia directly at 1-844-653-4061, or 1-844-653-4060 if you're overseas.

If this caught your attention, see: Standalone Dental Insurance

The cost of Tricare Dental is a key consideration for military spouses. The out-of-pocket monthly fee is $12.36 for single dependent coverage when the sponsor is on active duty.

You'll need to pay the first month's coverage at the time of enrollment. The rest of the payments can be made through allotment or an electronic fund transfer.

Family coverage costs $32.13 per month, and premiums for others eligible vary depending on their status.

The TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) is a great option for military spouses, offering high-quality, cost-effective dental care.

You can enroll in the TDP by calling MetLife at 1-855-638-8371 or through their website, but be aware that the enrollment application must be received no later than the 20th day of the month for coverage to begin on the first day of the next month.

The TDP offers two plans: a single plan and a family plan, and you'll need to pay the first month's premium upon enrollment.

You can check the current premium rates on the TRICARE website, as they differ based on your sponsor's service status and year.

The TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) is a voluntary dental care benefit for eligible family members of active duty service members and Reserve Component service members.

TDP is managed by United Concordia Companies, Inc. and is a Department of Defense (DoD) program.

This program provides high-quality, cost-effective dental care for those who are eligible.

You'll receive IRS Form 1095-C if you're a U.S. military member, and IRS Form 1095-B if you're a retiree, annuitant, former spouse, or have TRICARE coverage through another means.

These forms document your minimum essential coverage and will be required to be reported with your 2024 federal tax return.

DFAS will provide you with IRS Form 1095 series forms no later than January 31, 2025.

The TRICARE Dental Program is a voluntary dental insurance program available to eligible military family members. It's managed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife).

Enrollment is available by calling MetLife at 1-855-638-8371 or enrolling via their website. The enrollment application must be received no later than the 20th day of the month for coverage to begin on the first day of the next month.

You'll need to pay the first month's premium upon enrollment, and after that, you can pay monthly premiums electronically or have them billed directly to you. Monthly premiums differ based on your service status and year to year, so check the TRICARE website for the most current rates.

The TRICARE Dental Program covers 100% of emergency, diagnostic, and preventive services. It also covers fillings, root canals, crowns, extractions, orthodontics, and periodontics, but with a member cost share.

The maximum annual benefit coverage is $1,200 for all routine dental care, and the maximum lifetime orthodontic benefit coverage is $1,500.

As a military spouse, you're likely aware that dental care is essential for maintaining good oral health. Regular check-ups and cleanings can help prevent issues like tooth decay and gum disease.

The Tricare dental insurance plan offers a variety of services to help you stay on top of your dental care. For example, routine cleanings and exams are covered once every six months.

Some services, like fillings and crowns, may require a copayment. The cost varies depending on the procedure and your location, but it's typically around $20-$30 per visit.

Choosing a dentist is slightly different from choosing a primary care manager through Tricare, especially if you're used to using Tricare Prime.

You can choose any dentist you want that accepts United Concordia. You can travel as far as you want, and you can even pick one dentist for you and a special pediatric dentist for your kids. Don’t be surprised if finding a pediatric dentist is a little difficult, though.

United Concordia has an obligation to make sure 95% of enrollees have a general dentist within 35 miles of their residence that has an opening for an appointment within 21 days.

If the dentist you want is not available, there is another option. You can see an out-of-network dentist, but this may mean you pay for your entire visit upfront.

To find a list of providers in your area, you can check the Tricare website.

The Tricare Dental Program offers some help with orthodontic treatments, but it's not a guarantee.

The lifetime maximum coverage for orthodontic treatment is $1,750 per person, and you'll pay 50% out of pocket, with the plan covering the other half.

You'll need to meet certain eligibility criteria, including being under 23 years old, to access this coverage.

Children up to age 21 or 23 can access this coverage, while spouses and National Guard or reserve members must be 23 or under.

As a military spouse, navigating dental insurance can be overwhelming, especially if you're new to the process.

First, check if your spouse's military service qualifies you for TRICARE, a health insurance program that includes dental coverage for eligible family members.

The military's dental insurance program, TRICARE Dental Program, offers two options: TRICARE Dental Program and TRICARE Retiree Dental Program.

You can enroll in TRICARE Dental Program if you're a family member of an active duty service member or a retiree.

The TRICARE Retiree Dental Program is available to family members of retired service members.

If your spouse is not eligible for TRICARE, you can explore private dental insurance options that offer military spouse discounts.