Beneficiaries of the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) may already be seeing lowered bills as some key changes to the program that kicked in on March 1, 2025.
United Concordia continues to administer the TDP, but they are expanding access to care and “embracing new technologies to better serve our military families,” Douglas Elsesser, a program analyst with the Dental Program Section of the TRICARE Health Plan at the Defense Health Agency, said in a prepared statement about the changes.
The new contract brings 3 main changes, including an expanded offering of dentists, including specialists, monthly online visits for checkups, and lowered monthly premiums.
Changes in monthly premiums depend on the sponsor’s status (active duty, Selected Reserve, or Individual Ready Reserve) and the type of enrollment, including sponsor only, single, family, and sponsor and family.
These monthly premiums will be in effect through February 28, 2026, according to the statement:
Active duty E-4 and below
- Sponsor only: Not applicable
- Single (1 family member, not the sponsor): $8.65
- Family (more than 1 family member, not the sponsor): $22.48
Active duty E-5 and above
- Sponsor only: Not applicable
- Single: $11.53
- Family: $29.98
Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve (Mobilization)
- Sponsor only:
- E-4 and below: $8.65
- E-5 and above: $11.53
- Single: $28.82
- Family: $74.94
- Sponsor and family:
- E-4 and below: $83.59
- E-5 and above: $86.47
Individual Ready Reserve (Non-Mobilization)
- Sponsor only: $28.82
- Single: $28.82
- Family: $74.94
- Sponsor and family: $103.76
Survivors continue to have no premium payments.
A separate statement reminded TDP members that they might need to see different types of dentists for specific tooth problems.
The type of dental service received and the sponsor’s pay grade will affect cost-share, as described in the TRICARE Dental Program Brochure. Patients with questions about dental benefits are urged to visit United Concordia’s website or call them at 844-653-4061 (CONUS) or 844-653-4060 (OCONUS).1,2
References
- Defense Health Agency. New TRICARE Dental Program Contract Brings Updates in March 2025 [press release]. January 30, 2025. Accessed February 18, 2025. https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/4048032/new-tricare-dental-program-contract-brings-updates-in-march-2025
- Defense Health Agency. Learn How To Get Care From Dental Specialists With the TRICARE Dental Program [press release]. February 11, 2025. Accessed February 18, 2025. https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/4062939/learn-how-to-get-care-from-dental-specialists-with-the-tricare-dental-program