VA Offers Dental
Insurance Program WASHINGTON – VA is partnering with Delta Dental and MetLife to allow eligible Veterans, plus family members
receiving care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA), to purchase affordable dental insurance beginning
Nov. 15, VA officials announced today. “VA continues to explore innovative ways to help Veterans get access to the care and
services they have earned and deserve,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “This new dental
program is another example of VA creating partnerships with the private sector to deliver a range of high-quality care at
an affordable cost, for our Nation’s Veterans.” More than 8 million Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care can choose to purchase
one of the offered dental plans. This three-year pilot has been designed for Veterans with no dental coverage, or those
eligible for VA dental care who would like to purchase additional coverage. Participation will not affect entitlement
to VA dental services and treatment. There are no eligibility limitations based on service-connected disability rating or enrollment priority assignment.
People interested in participating may complete an application online through either Delta Dental, www.deltadentalvadip.org, or MetLife, www.metlife.com/vadip beginning Nov. 15. Coverage for this new dental insurance will begin Jan. 1, 2014, and will be available throughout
the United States and its territories. Also eligible for the new benefits are nearly 400,000 spouses and dependent children who are reimbursed for most
medical expenses under VA’s CHAMPVA program. Generally, CHAMPVA participants are spouses, survivors or dependent
children of Veterans officially rated as “permanently and totally” disabled by a service-connected condition.
Dental services under
the new program vary by plan and include diagnostic, preventive, surgical, emergency and endodontic/restorative treatment.
Enrollment in the VA Dental Insurance Plan (VADIP) is voluntary. Participants are responsible for all premiums, which
range from $8.65 to $52.90 per month for individual plans. Copayments and other charges may apply. Historically VA’s free dental services have gone to Veterans
with dental problems connected to a medical condition that’s officially certified as “service connected.”
Free dental services will continue for those Veterans. For more information on VADIP, visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vadip, or contact Delta Dental at 1-855-370-3303 or MetLife at 1-888-310-1681. Veterans who are not enrolled in the VA health care system can apply at
any time by visiting www.va.gov/healthbenefits/enroll, calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or visiting their local VA health care facility. # # #
See your VSO for more details.
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