New Dental Plan Expands Services, Includes Reservists
By Staff Sgt. Kathleen T. Rhem,
USA American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 13, 2000 -- DoD's new TRICARE Dental Program will feature lower
premiums, expanded services and cost ceilings, and will allow reservists and
their families to enroll.
DoD awarded a $1.8 billion, five-year contract in April to United Concordia
Companies Inc. of Camp Hill, Pa., the current TRICARE Family Member Dental Plan
administrator. Changes take effect Feb. 1, 2001. “One of the most significant
changes is that reserve component members and their families will be eligible
to enroll,” said Navy Capt. Lawrence D. McKinley, the TRICARE Management
Activity's senior consultant for dentistry.
During the first two years of the contract, premiums for active duty family
members will drop from the current levels. The $8.53 single and $21.33 family
rates will drop to $7.63 and $19.08 respectively during the first year, and
remain below current levels even during the second year. Premiums for reservists
on extended active duty and their families will mirror those of active duty
members, however premiums for families of reservists not on active duty will
be somewhat higher. After the first two years, premiums may rise, but "will
remain very reasonable," McKinley said.
Other improvements include:
o The enrollment "lock-in" period falls from 24 months to 12. That
is, active duty members must have 12 months left on their current term of service
to enroll. Reservists must "express intent" to remain in the reserves
for at least 12 consecutive months.
o United Concordia will take over enrollment responsibilities from the services'
personnel offices. McKinley said this should improve customer service by allowing
beneficiaries to deal directly with the contractor. Current enrollees will automatically
transfer to the new system.
o The annual maximum for general dentistry increases from $1,000 to $1,200,
and the lifetime maximum for orthodontic care goes from $1,200 to $1,500.
o General anesthesia and intravenous sedation will be covered.
o Coverage of diagnostic and preventive services expands.
Most of the changes stem from customer feedback. "We've been listening
to the beneficiaries. We've incorporated as many of their suggestions as possible,"
McKinley said. "We also listened to concerns from line commanders about
dental readiness and the quality of life of their people."
He also said DoD officials constantly monitor civilian insurance programs. The
new TRICARE plan, he said, "easily matches most insurance programs of Fortune
500 companies and is better than many."
McKinley stressed the program will evolve over the five years of the contract.
TMA officials monitor civilian plans to pick up on trends and to look at things
worth adopting. “Each option year, we will review what we have, and we
will improve as we go along if costs will not be increased," he added.
DoD and United Concordia plan to conduct customer-satisfaction surveys monthly.
For more information, beneficiaries can call United Concordia's toll-free customer-service
line, 1-800-866- 8499 or visit the company's Web site at www.ucci.com.
Information Courtesy of American Forces Information Service
