Does the military pay for braces?

Does the Military Pay for Braces?

Getting braces to straighten and align the teeth is an essential orthodontic procedure for millions of people. However, the cost of braces can be a significant financial burden, especially for those in the military and their families. In this article, we will explore the answer to the question Does the military pay for braces? and discuss the nuances of military policy regarding dental care, including orthodontic treatment.

Military Dental Care Policies

Before we dive into the details, it is essential to understand the policies governing dental care in the military. The Department of Defense (DoD) provides some level of dental care for active-duty members, although the extent and scope vary depending on their status.

• TRICARE is a health program administered by the DoD, which covers active-duty members, reservists, National Guard, and eligible family members and retirees. However, TRICARE dental coverage is different from other medical benefits; it includes some limitations, exclusions, and coverage caps.

Orthodontic Care and Braces

Braces are typically considered elective, and many private dentists and orthodontists charge a hefty fee for this treatment. However, for military members and their families, it’s important to know what the policy is regarding orthodontic care and braces.

• Active Duty Members: Orthodontic treatment is available for active-duty members and their dependent children through TRICARE‘s civilian network. Active-duty members are eligible for tiered orthodontic benefits, which involve a varying level of reimbursement depending on the type and complexity of treatment.

  • Level 1 treatment: Involves extracting teeth to achieve proper occlusion or bite alignment and may cost around $4,500 to $10,000.
  • Level 2 treatment: Involves more comprehensive treatment, including tooth realignment, and may cost around $8,000 to $20,000.

• Reservists, National Guard, and Veterans: These groups may or may not receive orthodontic care or braces under TRICARE, as their coverage often depends on their individual TRICARE Reserve Select coverage.

TRICARE Coverage for Orthodontic Care

In order to receive orthodontic coverage, active-duty members or their dependents must follow specific guidelines.

• Pre-approval: Applicants must obtain prior approval for orthodontic treatment, which involves sending a comprehensive treatment plan and X-rays to TRICARE’s Orthodontic Certification Program for review and approval.
• Caps and Limits: TRICARE has financial caps, including a per-person and per-year spending limit (currently $3,500). If you exceed the cap, you’ll have to pay a significant deductible.
• Waiting Period: There might be a waiting period between the date you start treatment and the point when TRICARE becomes responsible for part or all of the orthodontic fees.

Dental Support Team (DST) Access

For certain cases, Dental Support Team (DST) access is available. A DST includes a team of military-trained dentists who provide guidance on dental treatments, including orthodontics.

Other Options:

Before committing to civilian orthodontic treatment or relying on TRICARE, you should explore the following additional options:

• Military Health System: The Military Health System, which includes active-duty Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, operates military dental clinics, where you might receive a discounted rate or even have some procedures free of charge.
• Dentist Networks: TRICARE has partner dentist networks offering discounted rates on orthodontic treatment and other procedures.

Case Studies

To better illustrate the challenges and complexities associated with military orthodontic care, here are a few real-life case studies:

• Rachel: Active-duty Army Reservist Rachel needed a Level 2 orthodontic treatment for her young daughter, which cost approximately $20,000. TRICARE covered some of the expenses, with Rachel still responsible for out-of-pocket payments.
• Thomas: A Reserve Select recipient, Thomas’ TRICARE coverage wasn’t explicitly inclusive of orthodontic treatment. To get affordable treatment, Thomas sought treatment through a Dental Support Team (DST), which approved the treatment.
• Samantha: Although TRICARE didn’t cover Samantha’s orthodontic treatment fully, the dental clinic’s reduced price allowed her to get her treatment done through the network.

In Conclusion:

In Does the military pay for braces?, the straightforward answer is that sometimes yes, but also often no or somewhat limited. Factors like TRICARE dental coverage, patient status (active-duty member, dependent, or military retiree), and geographic location come into play when determining how much of a financial burden you’ll encounter. Take the time to research TRICARE policies and coverage, assess your military status, and consider alternate options to ease the stress and financial hardship associated with orthodontic treatment.

In the table below, find a summary of the highlights discussed in the article: