Dental transition could cost you

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jessica Swaim
  • 319th Medical Support Squadron
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Recent changes in the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) have left some military families paying out of pocket.

Many local dentists are not part of the new contractor's network, and though they may still "accept TRICARE," they will require a patient to pay beyond normal cost shares. This may result in charging patients the balance between their charges and what the TDP would pay for.

Dentists in the TRICARE network are not permitted to do that, therefore beneficiaries are strongly urged to first and foremost find out if their dentist is part of the network.

TDP beneficiaries have two options for finding a list of providers or an addressing other TRICARE Dental concerns.

The first option is to the MetLife Dental Customer Contact Service Center at 1-855-638-8371.

The second option involves is to visit the MetLife TDP website, https://mybenefits.metlife.com/tricare. Once on the website, select the link to find a dentist near you.

Beneficiaries are advised to have important information, such as their Social Security number and that of their sponsor on hand before calling or visiting the website.

Beneficiaries with more questions on their TRICARE coverage can contact the base's TRICARE Liaison Officer at (701) 747-5855 or the TRICARE Operations and Patient Administration Officer at (701) 747-5316.