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Here are some tips to help TRICARE Retiree Dental Plan (TRDP) enrollees make sure they don’t get caught paying more than they should for their covered dental care:

• They should know their TRDP copayments, deductibles and maximums to help keep the program affordable and their out-of-pocket expenses in check.
• A quick check of their EOB will provide assurance that they have been billed correctly for the services their dentist provided during their recent visit. Knowing their coverage ensures they are paying their correct share of the costs in applicable copayments and deductibles as required by the TRDP.
• Enrollees should be wary of dentists who advertise “waiver of copayment” offers. This practice, also known as “overbilling,” is illegal and unethical--and could eventually increase the cost of the TRDP and other dental programs by as much as 40 percent.*
• If enrollees need assistance with understanding their EOB, ask them to call Delta Dental’s TRDP Customer Service department at 888-838-8737 to speak directly to an agent. They may also use the automated telephone system or, if they have Internet access, the online Consumer Toolkit® at www.trdp.org to periodically check their benefit levels, copayments and deductibles.

* Statistic provided courtesy of Delta Dental of California Underwriting and Actuarial department staff, June 2006.

Monthly premiums for enrollees in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program have changed under the new contract that began October 1, 2008. The amount of the monthly premiums vary, depending on the regionally based rate and the enrollment option selected. Rates will be slightly adjusted annually on October 1 throughout the five-year contract period. Enrollees can check the web site at www.trdp.org for their specific monthly regional premium amount or call 888-838-8737 for their rates. All enrollees in the new Enhanced-Overseas Program pay premium rates equivalent to Region C rates for the Enhanced Program.

Current enrollees and Uniformed Services retirees who are interested in finding out more about the dental benefits available to the under the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) should pay a visit to the web site dedicated specifically to the program, at www.trdp.org. In addition to detailed benefits information, program costs, an expansive list of participating network dentists and a function that allows secure online enrollment, the web site features a Consumer Toolkit® for looking up an enrollee's eligibility and claims information as well as an Online Customer Service Inquiry form that allows users to get prompt answers to their questions via e-mail. The site has been updated with information on additional features of  new TRDP contract that began October 1, 2008, such as coverage for dental implant services, an increase in the lifetime orthodontic maximum, and worldwide access to comprehensive TRDP coverage for enrollees who are living overseas.

Attention Retiree Activity Officers, Family Services Officers, Transition Assistance Program Managers and other beneficiary healthcare liaisons: Having a pre-retirement briefing? Let your TRICARE Retiree Dental Program regional marketing representative give a brief presentation on this unique, comprehensive dental benefits program for Uniformed Services retirees and their family members. Complimentary enrollment materials and details about the special enrollment opportunity for new retirees are available for each of your active duty military personnel attending your briefings. For more information, please contact the TRDP marketing representative for your region from the list below:

Michelle Banks - Southeast region & District of Columbia
757-368-2265
mbanks@delta.org

Douglas Elsesser- Gulf region, Puerto Rico, & U.S. Virgin Islands
210-566-1126
delsesser@delta.org

Tammy Hunter - North Central region
715-824-2959
thunter@delta.org

Lynn Jamroz - East Central region & Canada
630-587-6397
ljamroz@delta.org

Joe Montoya - West Central region
715-824-2940
jmontoya@delta.org

Steve Morgan - Pacific West region, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa & Northern Mariana Islands
760-327-7632
smorgan@delta.org

Doug Schobel - Northeast region & OCONUS
401-732-0297
dschobel@delta.org

Not all Delta Dental dentists participate in the networks that serve the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP). To participate in the TRDP, dentists must be members of either the Delta Dental Legion (formerly known as “Delta Dental Select”) or the Delta Dental PPO network, both of which support the delivery of dental care under the TRDP and other national account programs. In fact, membership in the Delta Dental Legion dentist network is separate from any other Delta Dental network to which the dentist may belong--including the Delta Dental Premier® network. It is important to note, however, that although there are specific incentives available to a TRDP enrollee who selects a dentist in the networks that serve the TRDP, Delta Dental Premier® dentists follow some of the same guidelines as participating TRDP network dentists, such as acceptance of payment directly from Delta Dental, completion and submission TRDP claims-related paperwork, and adherence to the quality-of-care standards that are required of all Delta Dental dentists.

Even if you are a Uniformed Services retiree who is employed and has dental coverage through your employer, you can benefit by joining the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP). Most dental carriers cooperate with one another to allow you to make use of both programs--sometimes paying 100 percent (but not more) of your dental bill. It is to your advantage to let your dentist and Delta Dental know if you have other dental coverage so that you will receive all the benefits to which you are entitled; ask your dentist to complete the other coverage portion of the claim form, or be sure to include complete information about your other coverage carrier if you are submitting your own claim.

What are some things that military retirees should look for when choosing a dental plan?

Affordability. Premiums for some dental plans may be lower than others. But consider other costs, like the fees the dentist can charge, before making a decision based on low premiums. Dentists who participate in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program have agreed to accept the program's allowed fees as payment in full for covered services provided to enrollees in the program.

Value. Dental benefit plans like the TRICARE Retiree Dental Plan that offer enrollees a comprehensive scope of treatment and a choice of dentists often have higher coverage levels—60%, 80%, even 100%—than those that offer more expensive, non-essential services. Typically, the more expensive the treatment is, the higher the copayment (the amount the patient must toward the treatment) will be.

Accessibility. A good dental plan should offer coverage almost everywhere military retirees are--not just in a limited number of states. Besides all 50 United States and the District of Columbia, TRICARE Retiree Dental Program coverage is available to enrollees who live in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands, as well as Canada. When traveling outside this service area, enrollees in the Enhanced TRDP are covered  for dental emergencies. Comprehensive coverage under the Enhanced TRDP is also available worldwide to enrollees who live outside this service area.