FALLS CHURCH, Virginia – The Defense Health Agency (DHA) announced today the award of the sixth generation of the TRICARE Dental Program contract (TDP6). The new TDP6 contract will go into effect Dec. 1, 2024. TDP6 will provide private sector dental care to active duty family members, eligible National Guard and Reservists, and active duty services members serving in remote locations.
The TRICARE Dental Program (6) contract was awarded to United Concordia Companies, Inc. (UCCI), of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania through competitive source selection with a contract value of $3,028,216,101.18 over a period of six years with a one-year transition-in phase. This contract will replace the current TRICARE Dental Program contract on Dec. 1, 2024. UCCI is the TDP incumbent.
“I am pleased that our new TRICARE Dental Program contract will continue to focus on enhancing the private sector dental care for our service members, their families and eligible Guard and Reservists,” said DHA Director U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland. “Affordable, accessible and effective dental care increases readiness and supports retention by providing quality general and specialty dental services.”
The TDP6 contract will bring notable improvements to private sector dental care for enrolled beneficiaries. Three areas of focus include enhanced provider network access, lower costs, and teledentistry.
- Increase access standards for general dentists and specialists.
- Reduce monthly premiums for Junior Enlisted (E-1 – E-4).
- Expand teledentistry for remote dental screening, making diagnoses, providing consultations, and proposing treatment plans.
As an incumbent, DHA is confident that UCCI will continue to build on lessons learned to provide ever increasing value of dental care for our beneficiaries.
UCCI will maintain a provider network in the 50 States, District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico. In addition, the contractor shall develop and maintain a list of Outside of the Continental United States (OCONUS) providers, referred to as TRICARE OCONUS Preferred Dentists (TOPDs).
The TDP6 contract is scheduled to begin a 12-month Transition-in phase beginning December 2023 with the new contract beginning dental care delivery December 2024.
DHA leadership will meet soon and regularly to implement a detailed transition plan intended to prepare UCCI so that they can seamlessly assume their responsibilities under the TDP6 structure and incorporate beneficiary care on the first day of dental care delivery.
Media with additional questions should contact the DHA at dha.ncr.comm.cal.dha-media@health.mil.