Does Tricare cover dental work? Like me getting my wisdom teeth taken out?

From what I heard Tricare has terrible dental and eye coverage. That is just what I have heard though!

BOO! I need my wisdom teeth taken out sooooo bad. And I was planning on waiting till I was covered on Tri Care, because it would cost me sooooooo much to do it now!

From what I heard they only really cover routine check ups and cleanings.

That sucks. lol.

yes, its united concordia. They covered my wisdom teeth coming out as well....I had to pay a portion, but not the whole thing. I just had to call united concordia and argue with them about covering my anestesia because my teeth were still under my gums, but they did.

My teeth are kinda growing in, they are just not pushing through my gums. BUT they have been growing in since my sophmore year of high school, like 4 years ago.

They are just now started to really hurt, and give me ear aches and head achs

yes, its united concordia. They covered my wisdom teeth coming out as well....I had to pay a portion, but not the whole thing. I just had to call united concordia and argue with them about covering my anestesia because my teeth were still under my gums, but they did.

That is good! At least they covered some of it!

May I ask how much of it you had to pay for?

There dental looks good. I was going over the forms just now. They even cover orthodontics it looks like.

I think something like $400 up front, as like a deposit. Then they did it, submitted the paperwork to united concordia and I got $200 of it back after uc paid for their portion. I really cant remember because it was almost 2 years ago, but I remember it was not much and I got 3 teeth taken out because 1 never even grew.

So there is Tri care and there is united concordia? Or is that a part of Tri Care? Im confused.

uc is part of tricare if I am correct??!! You have to get the form from Tricare to register with UC and its like $25 a month for family or something like that, taken directly from your spouses pay.

They are two different things... sorry didnt mean to confuse you.

They are two different applications. You have to register for deers first.

So I can get it through tri care though? From what Racheal said? Because that sounds really good to me. Because I HATE having my teeth be in bad shape. I like to have them cleaned like every 3 months or os.

yeah, from what I got from the tricare lady in Drum. Im waiting to do the same thing. I need the f**kers out already! They hurt!

yes, its united concordia. They covered my wisdom teeth coming out as well....I had to pay a portion, but not the whole thing. I just had to call united concordia and argue with them about covering my anestesia because my teeth were still under my gums, but they did.

The only problem I've ever had was when my dentist wanted to do a deep scaling (which was covered very well) but he wanted to put the antibiotics straight into my gums (it's a gel like substance that breaks down over time but works better than pills it's also stronger) and they wouldn't cover it at all. Apparently b/c he had the option to prescribe me the same med in a different form. The shots were $100 each which was more than my part of the procedure they wouldn't pay for. I went ahead and paid out of pocket b/c of the procedure and well, my dentist and I know my mouth my insurance company does not.

When I had my root canal (it's been a while) I want to say they covered like 70% which I thought wasn't too bad.

I actually think we have pretty good dental coverage. I prefer it over the medical coverage and I've had alot of work done in my mouth over the years due to a trama accident when I was a child.

United Concordia is different than Tricare; you have to be signed up for it.

I think something like $400 up front, as like a deposit. Then they did it, submitted the paperwork to united concordia and I got $200 of it back after uc paid for their portion. I really cant remember because it was almost 2 years ago, but I remember it was not much and I got 3 teeth taken out because 1 never even grew.

Alot depends on the individual dentist office as well. I've never had to pay anything up front but my portions. My dentists over the years have never asked for a deposit. I've also had some that if the cost was too much at the time, worked with me on payments.

I'm getting my wisdom teeth out next month. I have to pay 500 something dollars. They only cover 70% for E1-E4 and 60% for E5 and above. I have a booklet somewhere, but the insurance only covers certain things done.

Also, most of the oral surgeons require you to pay whatever the insurance doesn't cover before they even start taking them out. At least, that's how they are here in Virginia.

I have the United Concordia insurance. It sucks, but at least I'm not paying for all of it. The only good thing, I think is that you get 2 free cleanings a year.

United Concodia is who you need to sign up with for dental. They are different so it isn't like you sign up for Tricare and then get into United Concordia. You have to pay for United Concordia each month, too. It isn't alot but just be aware that there is a cost with it. I'm not sure if it is a flat rate or if they go by rank and family size to see how much you pay. We pay 26-27 a month and John is an E-6 and we have 2 kids but only 1 that is covered since they won't cover a child under 4 unless it is shown the child needs dental care. They do cover things other than just the regular cleanings and such but each procedure, etc. depends on how much they will cover. When you sign up they will send you a book that explains it all. They break it all down and say how much you would be responsible for. So far I haven't had any problems with them. The only thing I have had to pay out of pocket for so far was when Breanna had to get a filling. I paid $61 of the total. Oh, I wanted to add this since you said you like to get you teeth cleaned every 3 months or so; United Concordia will only pay for 2 cleanings per person in a 12 month period. So you can get more than the 2 cleanings but after the 2 it will be out of pocket for you. That 12 month period is from when your insurance was activated.

As far as the insurance for eye exams and such; that could be something to be desired. I wear mostly contacts and they cover nothing for contacts. Not the exams, a portions of the lens, nada. For glasses they pay for the exam and maybe a portion of the lens (I think they do but can't remember. Its been awhile since I got glasses). I do remember them not paying at all for my frames though and that my total for my glasses was like $300.

hth

Good Luck. :)

I work in a dental office and the one bad thing I see about UC is that they are very slow to pay on certain procedures!! The problem in that being if the account goes too far out then that office will try and get you to pay. Other than that they have better coverage than most plans out there. It's very much worth it if you want dental coverage!!

I'm getting my wisdom teeth out next month. I have to pay 500 something dollars. They only cover 70% for E1-E4 and 60% for E5 and above. I have a booklet somewhere, but the insurance only covers certain things done.

Also, most of the oral surgeons require you to pay whatever the insurance doesn't cover before they even start taking them out. At least, that's how they are here in Virginia.

I have the United Concordia insurance. It sucks, but at least I'm not paying for all of it. The only good thing, I think is that you get 2 free cleanings a year.

I agree with blownkissez79
UC is not the best coverage but at least they pay something. DH and I have had 2 sets of braces within the family and the maximum allowance that they would pay is 1500 each child. We had to pay alot of out of pocket expenses. It is true about the ranking aspect as well. DD has had a few root canals, which are very expensive and we were expected to pay up front.
The best I can suggest, research the total cost and get your estimate before you show up and they want $$ that you may not have on hand.
For basic dental care...UC is good. Good luck sweetie. Welcome to the military.:hairout :D

BOO! I need my wisdom teeth taken out sooooo bad. And I was planning on waiting till I was covered on Tri Care, because it would cost me sooooooo much to do it now!
You do have to pay for United Concrodia. It isnt free like tricare. You need to sign up and the amount will be taken out of his check monthly. The coverage isnt the greatest. Yes wisdom teeth are covered as long as you aren't over the age of 30 (I'm screwed since I am just having problems with mine and I am now over 30 lol) I think you have to pay like 40% fof the procedure. SOmething like that...They pay for a full cleaning every 6 months, 1 set of minor xrays a year, 1 set of full xrays per year and pay for a portion of work to be done.

Here is their website with all the information you need http://www.tricaredentalprogram.com/tdptws/home.jsp

You also need to make sure the dentist you go to accepts UC 100% some places only accept a portion and can charge higher. Its all on their site.

G'luck

:) Kaymara-Thank you for being so helpful.

UC is crap compared to the coverage I had when I was with Blue Cross. But maybe it's better compared to some others. I guess I should be thankful we're covered for anything at all, unlike eyecare! :D