FALLS CHURCH, Va. – New parents often have many responsibilities, and dental insurance for their infants may not be a top priority.
Fortunately, the TRICARE Dental Program ensures that parents do not have to worry about this important aspect of their child’s health.
“The TRICARE Dental Program assists military families by automatically enrolling children at age one,” said Douglas Elsesser, a program analyst with the Dental Program Section of the TRICARE Health Plan. “This guarantees that children receive dental care early, which is crucial for their development. Parents can focus on other important matters without the stress of remembering to enroll their children.”
Children will automatically join the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) on the first day of the month following their first birthday. For instance, if a child is born in August, they will be enrolled on September 1. As long as the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) is current, enrollment in TDP will occur automatically. Parents also have the option to enroll their child before they turn one.
However, automatic enrollment does not apply to National Guard and Reserve members who only have coverage for themselves under a single plan. For all other families, children will be added to the plan upon turning one, even if parents forget to sign them up.
It is important to note that adding a child to the TDP may affect monthly payments. The premium amount depends on how many family members are covered and the military status of the parent. If parents previously had a single plan, it will convert to a family plan when the child is added, resulting in an increase in monthly costs.
Parents should remember that, as outlined in the TRICARE Dental Program Handbook, they must add their child to DEERS for TDP coverage to take effect. This step is separate from the automatic enrollment process.
Having dental coverage for children is essential for their health. With TDP’s automatic enrollment system, parents can concentrate on other aspects of parenting without worrying about missing this vital step.
This early dental coverage helps ensure that children maintain healthy smiles throughout their lives.