Subject:
New Dental Plan Expands Services, Includes Reservists
Date:
Tue, 13 Jun 2000 13:12:55 EDT
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.
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