Tricare Management Activity will begin its new Tricare Dental Program, or TDP, contract with United Concordia Companies Inc. Feb. 1.

United Concordia will continue to furnish worldwide, comprehensive dental coverage to include preventive, diagnostic, restorative and maintenance services to all eligible uniformed services active duty family members and to National Guard and Reserve members and their eligible family members.

Under the new contract, Tricare has added benefits to the dental program. They include dental implants and related prosthetics, and extended restorative services to teeth affected by attrition, erosion, abrasion, and congenital or developmental defects. The program will continue to offer comprehensive dental benefits.

“We will work closely with United Concordia to maintain beneficiary and provider satisfaction while ensuring that quality and access standards continue to be met,” said Col. Gary Martin, director of the dental care division, Tricare Management Activity. “It is a cost-effective benefit that eligible beneficiaries cannot afford to do without to maintain their dental health.”

It is designed to be an affordable and portable program so maintaining good dental health is easier. Eligible beneficiaries may enroll in single member plans or family plans. The program encourages diagnostic and preventive care for children ages one to four.

Cost shares will continue to be reduced for active-duty servicemembers in pay grades E-1 to E-4 for some dental services under the new contract.

All currently enrolled members will receive a new personalized identification card and benefit booklet before the new contract takes effect. Enrollees and providers will be sent regular updates on benefits and coverage. United Concordia accepts and enrolls new members by phone or on their Web site.

More information on enrollment is online at www.TRICAREdentalprogram.com, or by calling toll-free (800) 866-8499, 24 hours a day. Members residing outside the continental U.S. can dial their country code followed by (888) 418-0466 toll-free. Beneficiaries may also access the Tricare Web site at www.tricare.osd.mil and the TDP fact sheet.

(Courtesy of Tricare Management Activity)