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Q. I have been enrolled in the TRDP for several years and have been seeing the same dentist the entire time. She's great--but how do I know if she's a participating TRDP network dentist so that I can be sure I'm getting the maximum amount of cost savings I can get under the program? A. As an enrollee in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP), you know that seeing a TRDP network dentist helps lower your dental costs by an average of 22% more. So in order to maximize your cost savings, it is key to ensure that your dentist is part of the network of dentists who practice in one of over 170,000 locations that support the TRDP. Here are some important tips that will help you be sure you select a TRDP participating network dentist for your treatment. First, be specific: Ask the dentist if he or she is a member of the TRDP Delta Dental Legion or Delta Dental PPO network, rather than inquire if the office simply "takes Delta Dental" or if the dentist is a "Delta Dental dentist." Not all dentists are Delta Dental dentists, and not all Delta Dental dentists belong to the network that supports the TRDP; seeing a dentist who participates in the TRDP network means you will get a dentist who has agreed in advance with Delta Dental to:
Most of all, don't be afraid to ask the dentist directly if he or she is a participating TRDP network dentist before you make your appointment, and discuss options and costs for your dental care prior to beginning any treatment plan. Visit our website at trdp.org for a list of participating TRDP network dentists conveniently located near your home or office. And if you find your current dentist is not already in the TRDP network, you can nominate your dentist to receive information from Delta Dental on how easy it is to become a participating TRDP network dentist. Q. I am enrolled in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) as a "gray area" retiree under age 60 who is not yet eligible to collect retired pay. Because an allotment from my retired pay cannot be established and Delta Dental must bill me directly for my TRDP premiums, I signed up to pay my monthly premium payment via electronic funds transfer (EFT), right from my bank account. I have decided to change banks, however, and I am wondering how to go about making a change in my banking information so that my premium payment will be taken out of my new bank account through EFT. A. You can change your bank account information quickly and easily by logging on to the online Consumer Toolkit®. You can also make changes in your bank account information using one of these three methods:
Q. I recently enrolled myself and my wife in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP). When I received my welcome packet in the mail, I noticed that both ID cards contained only my name. Since my wife is also enrolled and presumably eligible for TRDP benefits, why didn't she receive an ID card with her name on it? Can I get an ID card for my wife in her own name? A. System requirements allow for TRDP identification cards to be printed with the primary enrollee's program information only. However, these TRDP identification cards are applicable for use by all eligible family members. It is important to understand that ID cards do not verify current eligibility or guarantee benefits. Although they are not a guarantee of coverage, the ID cards do contain valuable information such as your group name and group number that signify whether you are enrolled in the Basic (4600), Enhanced (4601) or Enhanced-Overseas (4602) program. We also recommend that you take your Benefits Booklet with you when you visit your dentist, in case there are any questions about your coverage. You may verify eligibility status by accessing the online Consumer Toolkit. Once you have registered and logged on to the toolkit, you can also print additional ID cards for use by other family members who may be enrolled, if necessary, as well as perform a number of additional functions that enable you to manage your TRDP enrollment account yourself, at your own convenience. Q. My late husband was an Army private who had been on active duty for only six weeks before he was killed during a combat mission in Iraq. Our two young sons and I are currently enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP), but it's been almost three years since my husband's death, and now our dental coverage under the TDP is about to expire! The transition assistance advisor on base told me I could be eligible to enroll the family in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) after our coverage under the TDP ends. What are the requirements, and how do I enroll? A. Surviving spouses and dependents of service members who died while on active duty for more than 30 consecutive days are eligible to enroll in the TRDP. Survivors of deceased Uniformed Services retirees are also eligible for the TRDP. At the time of the active duty member's death, survivors become eligible for the TDP, regardless of whether or not they were enrolled in the program prior to the active duty member's death. Benefits for survivors who are already enrolled or who choose to enroll in the TDP will continue for three years from the month following the active duty member's death, regardless of the initial enrollment date. After the three-year period ends, eligible survivors can enroll in the TRDP by providing a letter from the TDP contractor that indicates when TDP coverage ended. Additionally, if a survivor enrolls in the TRDP within four months after TDP coverage ends and provides a letter from the TDP contractor substantiating that the coverage expiration date is within the four-month period, the survivor would be allowed to forego the customary 12-month waiting period for major services and therefore be eligible for the full scope of TRDP benefits--including cast crowns, inlays, bridges, partial/full dentures, implants, and orthodontics—upon the TRDP coverage effective date. The TRDP may allow the survivor of a deceased Uniformed Services retiree to forego the customary 12-month waiting period if he or she enrolls within four months after the retiree's death. Proof of the date of the retiree's death must be submitted with the enrollment application. Q. I have been enrolled in the Enhanced TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) since October 2008 and will be transferring to Stuttgart, Germany in January 2012. Will I be able to use my TRDP benefits in Germany? Also, I understand that in Germany, the dentist will bill me and I must then submit a claim to Delta Dental for reimbursement of my covered treatment. Is this correct? A. The answer is yes to both your questions. As a current enrollee in the Enhanced TRDP, you will automatically be enrolled in the Enhanced-Overseas TRDP once you have moved overseas. You will be eligible for all the same benefits you are eligible for now as an enrollee in the enhanced program, anywhere in the world. Visit the Enhanced-Overseas resources page to learn about using your TRDP benefits overseas, including how to locate an overseas dentist, a downloadable overseas claim form and instructions for completing the form. Be sure to update your address information using the online Consumer Toolkit so that you will be assured of a smooth, uninterrupted transition of your TRDP benefits and enrollment account. Q. I’m enrolled in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP). While I find the scope of TRDP benefits is very comprehensive and the premiums are affordable, are there other ways the TRDP can help me save even more money on my covered dental care? A. Yes! At Delta Dental, we strive to provide optimum service to our customers not only by educating them on the cost-savings benefits of enrolling in the TRDP but by continuing to find ways to help them maximize their cost savings after they’ve enrolled. In addition to maintaining a regimen of good oral care at home and seeing your dentist regularly, there some other important things you can do to keep your dental care costs down. Start by making your next appointment with a participating TRDP network dentist in one of nearly 170,000 locations nationwide. Network dentists have agreed to accept reduced fees for providing care to TRDP enrollees. Lower fees can result in significantly lower copayments, leaving you with more of your annual maximum to use toward other services. Always ask your participating TRDP network dentist to submit a predetermination request to Delta Dental when you need to have non-routine treatment. A predetermination request is a free feature of the TRDP that will help you plan financially before you have more extensive dental treatment provided. And remember that time is money, too. Participating TRDP network dentists help you save time by preparing and submitting all your claims paperwork, including any required documentation. To save time with managing your benefits, be sure you visit our online self-service Consumer Toolkit® for help with all your TRDP enrollment needs. Q.I’m enrolled in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program and went through a divorce a few months ago. I decided to go back to using my maiden name. I also moved to a different home in the same neighborhood. I assumed that the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), which distributes my retired pay, would have notified you of these changes—but a couple of recent claims were denied because the name and address information the dental office listed on the claim forms didn’t match the information you have on file. How do I get my information corrected? A.As you recently found out, we do not receive updated name or address information for TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) enrollees from the finance center that disburses your retired pay, the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), or any other government source or agency. Inaccurate TRDP account information can cause you to miss out on important enrollment updates and the latest program news as well as cause delays in processing and paying your claims, so it is very important that you notify Delta Dental directly—and promptly—if you move or have other changes in your information. The easiest way to update your TRDP account information is by using the new “Manage Enrollment” feature now available on the Consumer Toolkit©. After logging in to the toolkit and accessing the “Manage Enrollment” screen, simply click on the “edit” button on the right of the screen that allows you to make the necessary updates to your TRDP account information. You may also call our Customer Service department at 888-838-8737 to make any address changes or other updates to your TRDP account information. Q.I just received notification that my TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) premiums will increase again with the new contract year that starts October 1, 2011 and ends September 30, 2012. Why do the premiums increase every year? And can I pay all my monthly premiums, in advance, in one lump sum rather than have them taken out of my retired pay each month? A.At the time the current TRDP contract was awarded, premiums were established for each year of the contract in order to allow for projected changes in the cost of dental care. As a government-authorized program, Congress and the Department of Defense mandated the scope of benefits and regulations of the TRDP, including premium rates, eligibility requirements, enrollment commitments, benefits, exclusions, and coverage levels. These rules and regulations of the TRDP are subject to modification only as authorized by further legislation or regulatory changes. Your TRDP premiums are collected automatically each month through retired pay deduction. The automatic deduction is directed by federal law (Title 10 of the United States Code, Section 1076c) and uses one of six discretionary allotments. Direct billing of monthly premiums is an option only if retired pay is not available or is insufficient to allow the allotment amount. Q. I'm newly enrolled in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) and want to start off on the right foot, but I'm really afraid that once I start using my benefits I might run into problems with my claims and won't know what to do. Are there some things I can do ahead of time that will help me to start making use of the benefits I signed up for and ease my fears about getting my claims submitted, processed and paid successfully? A. We want your enrollment in the TRDP to be a positive and satisfying experience. We also realize that in order for your enrollment in the TRDP to be successful, it's important that you understand how to get the most from your dental coverage and where to go for help when you need it. That's why we offer a comprehensive "Getting Started" brochure that provides useful tips and guidelines to help you begin using the benefits of your program. Self-service tools like the Consumer Toolkit®, online Customer Service Inquiry Form and automated interactive voice response telephone system are available to help you manage and optimize your benefits as a TRDP enrollee and get prompt answers to your questions. The most up-to-date version of the Benefits Booklet that you received when you first enrolled is available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week for you to refer to at your convenience. The booklet contains detailed information about eligibility, covered services and how to select a network dentist as well as a section on submitting claims and how to read your Explanation of Benefits form, and a page with information on who to contact if you need assistance. One of the best ways to get the most from your TRDP coverage right from the start is to see a participating TRDP network dentist for your dental treatment. You'll save money because network dentists accept significantly reduced fees for treating TRDP patients and can't charge you more than your cost share and applicable copayment. They'll also take care of all your TRDP claims paperwork so that you don't have to worry about it and will accept payment directly from Delta Dental so you won't have any bills to worry about, either. If you need more than just a routine exam or cleaning and are concerned about the cost of more extensive dental treatment, ask your dentist to submit a predetermination request so that you will have a good idea how much your treatment will cost, before it's provided. We recommend that you take your Benefits Booklet with you to the dentist, and if you have concerns about the quality of care or level of service you received, we encourage you talk to the dentist first and try to resolve your concerns before they become bigger issues. Q. Help! My son just had his first "dental accident"-- his front tooth was knocked out during a baseball game.Thankfully we enrolled him in the Enhanced TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) a couple of years ago, at the same time we enrolled. Will the Enhanced TRDP cover our dental bill for his injuries? A. We're sorry that your son had an unfortunate accident with his tooth; however, we are pleased to tell you that he is fully covered under the Enhanced TRDP, at 100 percent of the program's allowable amount, for dental services related to the injuries to his tooth and mouth incurred during his accident. Dental accident benefits under the TRDP are subject to covered services "provided for external conditions caused directly or independently of all other causes by external, violent and accidental means" and are limited to services provided to an eligible individual within 180 days following the date of the accident. The TRDP allows an annual maximum benefit amount of $1,000 for dental accident coverage for your son; this maximum benefit amount is separate from the $1,200 annual maximum amount to which he is also entitled. Both these maximums will restart on October 1, so if your son needs further dental treatment as a result of his injuries, he will have an additional $2,200 to use as long as the services related to the injury are provided within 180 days following his accident. What's more, the annual $50 deductible does not apply to dental accident treatment. We'd also like to remind you that your TRDP coverage includes athletic mouthguards. It may be worthwhile to consider an athletic mouthguard for your son as extra protection against reinjuring his teeth or suffering a new dental injury. For more information about coverage for dental accidents and athletic mouthguards, please refer to the online Enhanced Program Benefits Booklet. Q. I know that as an enrollee in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP), there is a broad network of participating dentists available to me who charge significantly lower fees for the same great care. I want to take advantage of the additional cost savings as well as the extra, value-added services these dentists provide TRDP enrollees. How do I go about finding a participating TRDP network dentist who fits the bill? A. The TRDP offers an expansive network of dentists so that enrollees just like you can have the opportunity to save as much money as possible while getting the highest quality of dental care available. It is definitely to your advantage to choose a dentist who participates in the TRDP network--TRDP network dentists offer you the most value from your enrollment by saving you an average of 22% on your out-of-pocket dental expenses. With participating dentists in over 150,000 locations nationwide, you can easily locate one in your area. The online Dentist Directory contains the names, addresses and telephone numbers of every participating TRDP network dentist. Each search of the directory generates a list of up to 60 randomly selected dentists, allows you to specify the distance you are willing to travel to see a network dentist, and provides a map with directions to the dentist's office. For more information about the advantages of seeing a participating TRDP network dentist, please refer to the Enhanced Program Benefits Booklet. Q. I just retired from the service and immediately got a job working in the private sector. Although I’m eligible for the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP), I’m already enrolled in my new employer’s dental plan. A friend of mine who is enrolled in the TRDP says that if I also enroll, the TRDP will coordinate benefits with my employer’s coverage so that I will have to pay very little out of my pocket for my dental care—and that sometimes the two coverages may pay for 100 percent of my bill. Can you explain more about what coordination of benefits means and how it works? A. When you have coverage under two dental programs—such as your employer’s dental program and the TRDP—you can use your benefits from both insurance programs. This is referred to as the coordination of benefits (COB). The dental insurance industry has developed guidelines for COB to help you receive the maximum benefit available to you. Although COB can often mean that most or all of your dental charges will be paid, COB guidelines determine the actual amount of the total payment. This ensures that the payment from both plans never exceeds the total amount of your bill and helps avoid duplicate payments to keep dental care costs as low as possible. As you can see, there are benefits to having coverage under two dental programs. Before you enroll in the TRDP, however, we recommend that you ask your employer’s carrier about their COB policy to make that you are able to get the maximum coverage under both plans. If you decide to enroll in the TRDP, remember that as a newly retired Uniformed Services member you are eligible to waive the 12-month waiting period for major services if you enroll within four months after your retirement from active duty. The sooner you enroll in the TRDP, the sooner you can begin taking advantage of COB for all your dental care. For the quickest and easiest way to enroll, enroll online at trdp.org/pro/enroll.html. You can also find out more about coordination of benefits in the online Benefits Booklet. Q. When enrolling in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP), what kind of documentation do I need to provide as proof of my eligibility and/or that of my dependents? A. When you enroll in the TRDP, you should be prepared to supply the following documentation as proof of your or your dependent(s)' eligibility if the following circumstances apply:
Q. With all the news lately about identify theft, I have some concerns. What are Delta Dental and the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) doing to protect my identity? A. As a federal contractor and administrator of the TRDP for the Department of Defense, Delta Dental is legally and contractually bound to adhere to the Privacy Act of 1974, which was established to guard against the invasion of privacy of any record maintained on an individual by a government agency. You can be assured that Delta Dental goes above and beyond to provide the highest level of security possible with regard to protecting your personal information. For detailed information on how the TRDP and Delta Dental safeguard the confidentiality of your personal information, you should be aware of the Privacy Act Statement contained in section F of the TRDP enrollment application. Also, be sure to review the Notice of Privacy Practices that was included with your benefits booklet as well as the privacy policy located on our website. Q. Under the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP), can I really save money by seeing a dentist in the TRDP network? Just what are all the advantages of seeing a dentist in the TRDP network, as compared to having my treatment provided by an out-of-network dentist? Q. I have been enrolled in the Basic TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) since early 2000. I would like to have better dental benefits and am thinking about upgrading to the Enhanced Program, but I do have some concerns: Has the program improved over the original TRDP? If all I need to do every year is get my teeth cleaned, why should I pay more for benefits I might not otherwise use? Can someone with dentures benefit from the TRDP? And if I upgrade to the Enhanced TRDP, why do I still have to meet the 12-month commitment? A. There have been many enhancements to the TRDP since it first began in 1998. The TRDP has gone from a program that provided only the most basic dental preventive benefits to a full-scale, comprehensive program with coverage for all routine and major dental services as well as an expanded service area and an even larger nationwide dentist network. Q. Many of my fellow retirees who aren't enrolled in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program seem a little confused about the eligibility requirements for the program-and even though I've been enrolled in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program for a while, I'm not able to help them much with all the details. Could you please list the requirements for eligibility for the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program, including who is not eligible? Have there been any changes in the eligibility rules since the program first began in 1998? A. To be eligible for enrollment in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP), an individual must be a member of the Uniformed Services who is entitled to retired pay, regardless of age-including those age 65 or over and "gray-area" retirees under age 60. The current spouse of an enrolled retired member as just described and the enrolled member's children (up to age 21, or to age 23 if a full-time student, or older if the child becomes disabled before losing eligibility) are also eligible. The unremarried surviving spouse and eligible children of a deceased member who died while on retired status or while on active duty for more than 30 days are eligible for the TRDP as long as they are not eligible or are no longer eligible for the active duty family member dental Plan (TRICARE Dental Program). Medal of Honor recipients and their spouses/eligible immediate family members, as well as the unremarried surviving spouse and eligible immediate family members of a deceased MOH recipient, can enroll in the TRDP, too. Under most circumstances, the retiree must enroll in the TRDP in order for a spouse or other eligible family members to enroll. However, a change in eligibility rules implemented October 1, 2000 allowed the spouse and/or eligible children of a non-enrolled member to enroll in the TRDP with documented proof that the non-enrolled member meets specific criteria. Retirees living overseas have always been able to enroll in the TRDP as long as they met the eligibility requirements listed above, but until fairly recently, they had to return to the TRDP service area in order to obtain their covered benefits. As of October 1, 2008, enrollees in the Enhanced TRDP who live permanently outside the service area became eligible to obtain the full scope of TRDP benefits-including major services like crowns, bridges, dentures, orthodontics and dental implants-anywhere in the world. By law, individuals who are not eligible for the TRDP include former spouses of eligible members, remarried surviving spouses of deceased members, family members of non-enrolled retirees who do not meet certain criteria, non-retired disabled service members, and eligible members' non-disabled adult children over age 23. You can find a more detailed description of the eligibility requirements for enrollment in the TRDP in the enrollee benefits booklet for the Enhanced Program. Q. My late husband was an Army private who had been on active duty for only six weeks before he was killed during a combat mission in Iraq. Our two young sons and I are currently enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP), but it's been almost three years since my husband's death, and now our dental coverage under the TDP is about to expire! The transition assistance advisor on base told me I might be eligible to enroll the family in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) after our coverage under the TDP ends. What are the requirements, and how do I enroll? A. When a member of the Uniformed Services dies while on active duty for more than 30 consecutive days, surviving family members who were enrolled in the TDP at the time of the sponsor's death will continue to receive TDP benefits for three years from the month following the sponsor's death. After the three-year period ends, eligible survivors can enroll in the TRDP by providing a letter from the TDP contractor that indicates when TDP coverage ended. Additionally, if a survivor enrolls in the TRDP within four months after TDP coverage ends and provides a letter from the TDP contractor substantiating that the coverage expiration date is within the four-month period, the survivor would be allowed to forego the customary 12-month waiting period for major services and therefore be eligible for the full scope of TRDP benefits--including cast crowns, inlays, bridges, partial/full dentures, implants, and orthodontics--upon the TRDP coverage effective date. Eligible surviving family members who were not enrolled in the TDP at the time of the sponsor's death are normally not eligible to enroll in the TDP but may be eligible to enroll in the TRDP (the surviving spouse, parent, or legal guardian must contact United Concordia for information on TDP eligibility and enrollment). If the survivor is not enrolled in the TDP but is determined to be eligible for the TRDP, the TRDP may allow the survivor to forego the customary 12-month waiting period if he or she enrolls within four months after the sponsor's death and submits proof of the date of death with the enrollment application. Q. Since TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) annual premium rates are based on projected increases in the cost of dental care, why doesn't the annual maximum also increase every contract year? Why is there a deductible under the TRDP? How can I find out how much I have left of my annual maximum and deductible? A. As a government-authorized program, the TRDP's scope of covered services as well as all other benefits of the program-including premiums, maximums, and deductibles--were mandated by Congress and the Department of Defense (DoD) in the contract to administer the TRDP at the time it was awarded to Delta Dental of California. This means that any change in the current annual maximum of $1,200 would have to be approved by Congress and the DoD. Remember also that the TRDP allows a separate annual maximum amount of $1,000 specifically for services related to dental accidents as well as a $1,500 lifetime maximum for orthodontic procedures. Deductibles in medical and dental programs such as the TRDP help keep premiums affordable. The TRDP deductible is $50.00 per person per benefit year, with a $150 cap per family. Under the TRDP, however, your deductible does not apply toward the most common and necessary diagnostic and basic preventive services such as routine exams, x-rays and cleanings. As a TRDP enrollee, you can access the online Consumer Toolkit® to check your remaining maximum/deductible. Simply go to the TRDP website, click on the "Current Enrollees" section and then click on the "Consumer Toolkit" link. You will need to register to access the toolkit the first time; after that, you will be able to use the Consumer Toolkit as much as you want whenever you want in order to manage all your TRDP benefits. Don't forget that both your annual maximum and deductible start over on October 1 of each year, so be sure to check the Consumer Toolkit frequently between October 1 and September 30 for your remaining balances. Q. I just heard that our premiums for the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) will increase again with the new contract year that starts October 1, 2010 and ends September 30, 2011. Why do the TRDP premiums increase every year? And can I pay all my monthly premiums in one lump sum, in advance, rather than have them taken out of my retired pay each month? A. At the time the current contract was awarded to Delta Dental, premiums for the TRDP were established for each contract year in order to allow for projected changes in the cost of dental care. Because the TRDP is a government-authorized program, the scope of benefits and coverage levels as well as all the rules and regulations of the program--including premium rates--are mandated by Congress and the Department of Defense. These rules and regulations can be modified only as authorized by further legislation or regulatory changes. In most cases, we are unable to accept your premium payment in one lump sum because your TRDP premiums are collected automatically each month through retired pay deduction. The automatic deduction is directed by federal law (Title 10 of the United States Code, Section 1076c) and uses one of six discretionary allotments. However, if retired pay is not available or is insufficient to allow the allotment amount, then you will be billed directly for your monthly premiums; if this situation applies, you may be allowed to pay your entire annual premium amount in advance. Q. Is there an easy way that I can check to see if a claim has been paid or find out how much I have left on my various maximums and deductibles? A. Yes! And with a new benefit year beginning October 1, now is a great time to take advantage of our newly enhanced self-service Consumer Toolkit® for all your program needs. As a TRDP enrollee, you can access the online toolkit 24 hours a day, seven days a week to check on the status of your claim(s), verify your remaining maximums/deductibles, review your TRDP benefits, and more. Simply go to the TRDP website at www.trdp.org and then to the "Current Enrollees" section. Click on the Consumer Toolkit link and follow the simple instructions for registering upon your initial visit. Once you have registered, you will have access to all the TRDP benefit information you need for you and your enrolled family members. Q. I will be traveling overseas this summer. What happens if I need emergency dental care? A. As an enrollee in the Enhanced TRDP, you can rest assured knowing you are automatically covered for emergency dental treatment received while you are traveling outside the TRDP service area. Before you go, we would encourage you to check the online overseas host nation provider search tool at www.trdp.org for a list of dentists in the country where you will be traveling. Also, you might want to write down the number of Delta Dental's international dentist referral service; you can call collect from outside the U.S. at 312-356-5971 if you need to locate an overseas dentist. Here are some additional tips for locating an overseas dentist just in case you find yourself needing emergency dental treatment:
Note that when you have emergency dental treatment provided overseas, you will most likely need to pay the treating dentist up front and then submit the claim when you return to the service area. To get reimbursed by Delta Dental, submit a copy of the treating dentist's billed charges along with your completed claim form. For more detailed information about obtaining emergency dental treatment while traveling overseas, please consult the Enhanced Program Benefits Booklet. Q. I am enrolled in both a dental plan through my work and in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP). If my employer's plan has already paid what the TRDP allows for the same service, will the TRDP still make payments? A. The answer is "yes"! The advantage of having dual coverage is that most plans will coordinate benefits with one another. If your dental plan pays first (regardless of the amount paid), and the remaining amount does not exceed what the TRDP allows for the covered service, then the remainder will be paid by the TRDP, less any applicable deductible amount. If the service that was provided to you is covered by the TRDP and the deductible does not apply, or if you have previously satisfied your $50.00 TRDP deductible, then having two dental plans means that you will likely pay zero out of your pocket for the service. For more detailed information about dual coverage/coordination of benefits, please consult the online Enhanced Program Benefits Booklet. |
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