Survivor Health and Dental Benefits

Surviving family members of deceased servicemembers continue to receive benefits under the TRICARE system as follows:

• Surviving spouses continue under the same coverage for one year from the death of the service member. After one year, the spouse may pay an annual membership fee equal to that paid by retirees to enroll (or re-enroll) in TRICARE Prime and must pay the cost shares and deductibles applicable to retirees and their families for those who choose the TRICARE Standard or Extra options. Such coverage will continue until the surviving spouse remarries or reaches age 65 (when Medicare coverage begins and CHAMPUS eligibility ceases).
  
• Surviving children continue under the same coverage until age 21 or until age 23 if enrolled full time school.

You may contact a Health Benefit Advisor (HBA) near you for more information.

TRICARE Retiree Dental Plan

The TRDP which offers basic preventive and restorative dental care via civilian dentists is available, provided the following conditions are met:

• The sponsor's death must have occurred while on active duty in excess of 30 days.
  
• Family members must not be eligible, or no longer eligible for dental benefits under the TRICARE Family Member Dental Plan.

The TRDP offers continuous open enrollment. Initial enrollment is for at least 24 months. After the first 24 month period, enrollees may choose to stay enrolled on a month-to-month basis.

Enrollees who disenroll at any time, regardless of the reason, will be subject to a one-year lockout period.

Additional information and enrollment forms are available at the following addresses and telephone numbers:

Customer Service
Post Office Box 537007
Sacramento, CA 95853-7007
(888) 336-3260

Enrollment
Post Office Box 537008
Sacramento, CA 95853-7008
(888) 838-8737