TRICARE FAQs — Mathur & Taylor Orthodontics

*A service member holds up his child while the child holds a U.S. flag.*

If you are a service member, military spouse, or a child of a service member, and you are considering orthodontic treatment, you may have questions about TRICARE and dental coverage. We are here to answer commonly asked questions related to TRICARE and orthodontics to help service members in their decision regarding orthodontic care.

Will TRICARE Cover Orthodontic Treatment?

Only for children of military members/servicemen. Based on TRICARE requirements, the following minimum criteria must be met by the child of the military member:

The parent must be an Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard service member with at least 12 months remaining in their military contract.
The parent military member must be enrolled in TRICARE’s Dental Program (TDP).
The child of the military member must be 21 years of age or younger (23 years of age or younger if enrolled in school full-time).

*A military family stands in front of their home.*

Will TRICARE Cover Orthodontic Treatment for Service Members?

Unfortunately, no. TRICARE will not cover orthodontic treatment for service members. Any military member seeking orthodontic treatment will not be covered under TRICARE, and all expenses for orthodontic treatment will need to be paid out-of-pocket.

Will TRICARE Cover Orthodontic Treatment for Military Spouses?

Unfortunately, no. TRICARE will not cover orthodontic treatment for military spouses. Any military spouse seeking orthodontic treatment will not be covered under TRICARE, and all expenses for orthodontic treatment will need to be paid out-of-pocket.

How Much Will TRICARE Cover?

Typically, TRICARE coverage for orthodontic care starts at around $1,750 per child of a military member. Coverage can increase up to $2,250, depending on rank or time and grade.

How Are TRICARE Funds for Orthodontic Treatment Disbursed?

Similar to civilian insurance, TRICARE funds for orthodontic treatment are disbursed over time throughout the duration of treatment. Patients are expected to make prompt payments while TRICARE will distribute their portion periodically (usually monthly).

*A military member smiles at her child while the child wears her military headgear.*

Down Payment

After the responsible party pays the initial down payment, TRICARE will typically cover a percentage of the cost in the form of a 25% reimbursement to the payee (the payee must be the military member).

Monthly Costs

After the responsible party begins paying, TRICARE will typically distribute monthly payments alongside the payee’s monthly payments. The payee must be the military member enrolled in TRICARE’s Dental Program.

The information provided in this blog post is not intended as medical advice and is not all-inclusive for every member of the military. To verify eligibility, cost coverage, and other related information, you can contact TRICARE at 844-653-4061.

If you’re an airman, military member, or military spouse, and you’re stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, TX, or living in the surrounding West Texas, we would be happy to meet with you to discuss your options. Whether you’re considering braces, aligners, palate expanders, or other orthodontic treatments for kids, teens, or adults, we can provide a personalized consultation to help you make the best choice. Call or text us at (325)695-0170. You can also contact us online.