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About James Bell
Expertise
I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations.
NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.
Experience
Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager
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You are here: Experts > News/Issues > U.S. Military > Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard > Braces -benefits.
Expert: James Bell - 10/27/2009
Question
I'm 24 years old, my husband is joining the air force soon, and suddenly there rose a hype that I'll be able to get braces for my teeth soon enough for free. I've researched this and couldn't get a clear answer as to if this was true. I know that the Tricare would pay for a child 18 and younger but would Tricare pay for braces for the wife as well?
Answer
Tiffany -
I wouldn't get too excited. As a military member, your husband has full dental coverage provided by the military, by military dentists. If he wants braces, he still has to go to a civilian orthodontist. If the military determines the braces are necessary, they will fully cover the cost. If he wants them for cosmetic reasons, then he pays for up to 50% of the cost.
As a dependent, you are enrolled in the military dependent medical care system known as TriCare. TriCare itself is a medical program, not dental. The dental affiliate is United Condordia (formerly Delta Dental). Although this is an excellent program which covers up to 100% for exams, fillings, etc., braces are only covered to 50%. I remember when we needed to look at braces for our son (who was 13 at the time) while I was still on active duty ... they had payment plans we could choose from, but we were still responsible for 50% of the bill. For routine maintenance and care, kids are covered until they are 21 (not 18). If they are still living at home and attending school full-time, they get coverage until they are 23. This is provided your husband is still on active duty. Once you leave the military, all the dental goes away. If he retires, then you qualify for TriCare for himself and family. Dental is always considered separately.
Visit the United Condordia website at ... http://www.tricaredentalprogram.com/tdptws/home.jsp
You can browse the site and see what services they offer, and the various benefits of the program.
I wish I could have provided more good news, but the military hasn't had free medical/dental for dependents for many years. Medical and dental benefits are run by HMO's just like civilians.
Sincerely,
James Bell
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