Resource Guide

TRICARE retiree dental program open for new enrollment

  • Published
FALLS CHURCH, Va. --  The TRICARE Retiree Dental Program, or TRDP, offers comprehensive dental coverage to all enrolled members, and is currently open for enrollment. Coverage is available to retired service members and their families; retired National Guard and Reserve members and their families; and Medal of Honor recipients and their families and survivors.

TRDP covers diagnostic and preventive services such as exams and cleanings at 100 percent. Emergency services and basic restorative services, like fillings, are covered at 80 percent. The annual deductible is $50 per person each benefit year, and $150 per family per benefit year. The annual maximum benefit is $1,300 per person per year for enhanced enrollees; this is an increase of $100 from last year. The annual maximum for orthodontia increased from $1,500 to $1,750. For more information, visit www.tricare.mil/Dental/TRDP/Costs.

Eligible beneficiaries can enroll online through the Beneficiary Web Enrollment website at www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/bwe, or go to www.trdp.org to print, complete and mail in a TRDP enrollment application.

To enroll on the BWE, beneficiaries will need a DS logon, Common Access Card or DFAS login. Enrollees may be asked to enter information to establish an electronic funds transfer method for payment of their monthly premiums, but electronic transfer is not an option for the program so enrollees should not enter anything in that section.

Federal law requires that TRDP premiums be deducted automatically through a monthly allotment from retirement pay. Electronic funds tansfer is available only as an alternative method of payment for beneficiaries who do not receive retired pay or whose retired pay is insufficient to cover the allotment amount. For those eligible to pay TRDP monthly premiums by electronic transfer, visit www.trdp.org to download the authorization form.

There is a 12-month commitment for initial enrollments. After a year, beneficiaries can decide to continue on a month-to-month basis as long as they haven't added additional family members to the plan. If a beneficiary and spouse are already enrolled, adding a child or any other family member resets the 12-month period.

Retirees who enroll in TRDP within four months of their retirement date have immediate access to the full benefit package. If they miss that four-month window, there is a 12-month waiting period for coverage of more advanced services such as crowns, bridges and implants.

Delta Dental of California manages the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program. Beneficiaries can register at www.trdp.org to access several online features such tracking claims, and adding or removing family members. For information, visit www.tricare.mil/TRDP. (Courtesy of Air Force News Service)