Dental insurance for retired military personnel is a hot topic these days, and one that could impact your life if you are retired military.
Most military folks either retired or getting ready for retirement, think that they have only one option for financial help with dental expenses – Tricare Retiree Dental Program (TRDP). In this article we will detail some aspects about TRDP, and will reveal another strong option that isn’t insurance – Ameriplan’s discount dental plan.
Tricare Retiree Dental Program
The Tricare Retiree Dental Program was established to provide dental insurance for members of the Uniformed Services who are entitled to retirement pay, including those age 65 or over. The voluntary program also makes dental insurance available to the families of retired military personnel. Those covered by this program need only pay a monthly premium to take advantage of specific benefits available through Delta dental, the TRDP contractor.
How does Tricare Military Retiree Dental Program work?
The Tricare Retiree Dental Program works the same way that any other insurance program works, i.e., by making regular payments of specific amounts you will eligible for discounted rates for specific dental care services
If you have your dental care provided by a practitioner who is a participant in this program (also called an in-network practitioner), you will be charged a significantly lower copay than you would having your dental services provided by an out-of-network provider.
How much will Tricare Retiree Dental Program cost me?
The program has a relatively low upfront cost and the premiums can reduce the costs of your dental care as much 100%. Your geopolitical location will decide the exact amounts of premiums charged. For example, in Colorado Springs, CO current (January 2016) monthly costs would be $34.64 per person, $68.46 for two people, and families of three or more people would pay $123.05.
What will the Tricare Retiree Dental Program cover and how much?
“Under the law which created the TRDP, the services which can be provided under the basic program are limited to basic dental care and treatment involving diagnostic, preventive, basic restorative, endodontic, periodontic, surgical, post-surgical, and emergency services. Please refer to “Covered Services” for a detailed list of all covered services and general policies, limitations and exclusions that apply to the Basic TRDP at trdp.org. Here you’ll see that basic services such as regular cleanings are covered at 100%, restorative services such as fillings at 80%, and periodontic and surgical procedures are covered at 60%.
Tricare Is Complicated & Limited
If you have read all the above, it sounds complicated, doesn’t it? Not only that but the strict coverage limits can leave your pocketbook very empty if you need a root canal and a crown – around $2,000 at most dental offices. If you only have a maximum annual benefit of $1,300 with Tricare, then the additional $700 will be coming out of your pocket!
If you or your children need braces, which cost around $6,000 per person, you will have to come up with an additional $4,250 for each person who is covered and needs braces.
All of a sudden, Tricare dental insurance for retired military personnel seems to be a lot more expensive than it looks!
Discount Dental Plans – The Lower Cost Alternative
AmeriPlan is a Discount Medical Plan Organization (DMPO). We arrange for our members to have access to medical, dental, vision, chiropractic and pharmaceutical providers who have agreed to offer their services at negotiated discounts off their usual and customary fees.
The AmeriPlan Dental Plus discount dental plan is not dental insurance. It is a network of dentists across most of the USA (over 85,000 dentists) who have agreed to offer AmeriPlan members big discounts on virtually all dental services – up to 64% savings on orthodontics included! With AmeriPLan Dental Plus those $6,000 braces can cost as little as $2,160 – saving you a whopping $3,840 more than double the benefit from the Tricare dental insurance!
Plus, unlike some restrictions of TRDP, there is no waiting period, no limits on benefits, and pre-existing conditions are gladly accepted (with the exception of orthodontic treatments in progress). You may use the Dental Plus Plan the very day you sign up, and there are no limits on visits to your providers!
Plus, an added benefit beyond TRDP is that your entire household is covered for one low monthly fee (much lower than dental insurance)! You, your wife, children, mother, father, grandchildren – if they live in your household, they’re covered.
Members can save 20% – 65% on all restorative and cosmetic work (fillings, crowns, braces, etc.) and up to 80% on preventative work (teeth cleaning, x-rays, etc.) performed by a general dentist. Specialist fees are discounted up to 25%.
Take a few moments to find out more about the Ameriplan dental and healthcare plans by clicking HERE. We think you’ll be amazed at the cost savings, the fact that we cover your whole household, and that pre-existing conditions are welcomed! Give us a call at 1-855-878-7774 to find out if the AmeriPlan Dental Plus is for you.
AmeriPlan discount health and dental plans are designed to save you money while providing the health and dental care you and your family needs. Get started now and you’ll be amazed at the level of medical and dental services and the low cost.
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