We heard you! A new processing policy makes it easier to remember your cleanings & exams
September 20, 2017
You asked, and we listened. As of June 1, 2017, we changed the way we process your annual cleanings and exams. Instead of two cleanings and exams in a rolling 12-month consecutive period you’ll now get two cleanings and exams in a calendar year.
How does this affect you? Instead of having to keep track of the month and day when you had your last cleaning, now all you have to do is track the year. The Enhanced TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) will now pay for two cleanings and exams in a calendar year. Seeing your dentist twice in a calendar year encourages you to maintain a schedule that is convenient for you and your busy lifestyle.
The calendar year starts on January 1 and ends on December 31. For example, if you had your first covered cleaning and exam on March 2, 2017, and a second covered cleaning and exam on August 24, 2017, the TRDP will not pay for another cleaning until January 1, 2018.
Use the handy online Consumer Toolkit® to help you keep track of your covered cleanings so you’ll know when you’re eligible for your next one. Your TRDP network dentist can help you with scheduling your covered cleanings on a regular basis, too. And if you’re enrolled in the Basic TRDP (which only pays for one cleaning in a calendar year), you might consider upgrading your coverage so that you can get that second cleaning.
For specific updates on the codes affected by the time limitation change in policy check the list below:
| D0120 | Periodic oral evaluation - established patient |
| D0145 | Oral evaluation for a patient under three years of age and counseling with primary caregiver |
| D0150 | Comprehensive oral evaluation - new or established patient |
| D0160 | Detailed and extensive oral evaluation - problem-focused, by report |
| D0180 | Comprehensive periodontal evaluation - new or established patient |
| D0220 | Intraoral - periapical first radiographic image |
| D0230 | Intraoral - periapical each additional radiographic image |
| D0240 | Intraoral - occlusal radiographic image |
| D0270 | Bitewing - single radiographic image |
| D0272 | Bitewings - two radiographic images |
| D0273 | Bitewings - three radiographic images |
| D0274 | Bitewings - four radiographic images |
| D0277 | Vertical bitewings - 7 to 8 radiographic images |
| D1110 | Prophylaxis - Adult |
| D1120 | Prophylaxis - Child |
| D1206 | Topical application of fluoride varnish |
| D1208 | Topical application of fluoride - excluding varnish |
| D4346 | Scaling in presence of generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammation – full mouth, after oral evaluation |
| D4910 | Periodontal maintenance |