Starting March 1, military families will experience a reduction in their Tricare dental premiums, with some active-duty families seeing drops of up to 29%. This change comes as part of the new Tricare Dental Program contract, set to take effect in March, though families will notice the change on their February bill due to the pay-ahead system.
For active-duty families in pay grades E-4 and below, premiums will decrease significantly. For example, those with more than one family member insured will see a decrease of $8.98, dropping from $31.46 to $22.48 per month. This reduction reflects a 29% drop compared to previous rates. While most beneficiaries will see a small decrease in premiums ranging from $0.57 to $8.98, the most significant changes will be for families of active-duty service members and certain Reserve families.
The Tricare Dental Program is voluntary and available to active-duty family members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families. Eligible individuals can enroll at any time. The program also offers co-payments for certain services, like 20% for basic restorative care, but there are no co-pays for preventive services, such as cleanings, and no annual deductible.
Additionally, the program will offer expanded access to dental providers, including specialists, with more options for beneficiaries, both stateside and overseas. A new feature allows for online consultations with dentists, making checkups and care planning more accessible.
United Concordia, which administers the Tricare Dental Program, will continue to manage the coverage through February 28, 2026. Beneficiaries in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands can access the program, with those overseas able to search for providers in their country through the United Concordia online directory.
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