The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded its Tricare Active Duty Dental Program contract to United Concordia Companies. The contract provides for premium-free dental healthcare services to active duty service members referred from military dental treatment facilities (DTFs) for civilian care and dental coverage for those active duty service members under the Remote Active Duty Dental Program.
Reservists and National Guard members who are on orders to active duty for a period of more than 30 continuous days are considered active duty service members from their initial activation date. In certain circumstances, service members no longer on active duty may also be eligible for coverage when injured while serving on orders.
Many features of the new contract, which is slated to begin services August 1, 2009, are currently handled by the Military Medical Support Office under Tricare Management Activity. Establishing a network of providers is new under the contract.
"Tricare aims to ensure the highest level of beneficiary satisfaction and contractor performance in controlling costs," stated Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, Tricare Management Activity deputy director, in a press release. "Network dentists will provide the same dental benefits that are received at military DTFs, to include comprehensive preventive services such as oral cancer screenings."
