TDP SURVIVOR BENEFIT

What is the TDP Survivor Benefit? The TDP Survivor Benefit replaces the TDP when a sponsor dies. It provides the exact same benefit coverage as the TDP for surviving military families; however, TDP premiums are paid at 100% for these survivors (see the “What are the costs” section below for detailed premium information).

Who is eligible for the TDP Survivor Benefit? Surviving spouses and children are eligible for the TDP Survivor Benefit when a sponsor dies. Spouses are eligible for three years beginning on the date of the sponsor’s death. Children are eligible until age 21, or until they turn 23 if certain conditions related to their school enrollment and financial support apply (see the “Age-related eligibility rules” section below for details).

Survivors enrolled in the TDP at the time of sponsor’s death: Survivors who were enrolled in the TDP at the time of the sponsor’s death don’t need to do anything to keep their dental coverage, as they are automatically enrolled in the TDP Survivor Benefit. Survivors will be notified when TDP coverage is canceled and they are enrolled in the TDP Survivor Benefit.

Survivors not enrolled in the TDP at the time of sponsor’s death: Survivors can use the TDP Survivor Benefit even if they weren’t enrolled in the TDP at the time of the sponsor’s death. This includes active duty service member survivors and survivors of sponsors who were in the Selected Reserve or Individual Ready Reserve (special mobilization category). These special mobilization category survivors are eligible even if the sponsor wasn’t on active duty orders at the time of the sponsor’s death. When death of a sponsor in an active duty, Guard or Reserve status occurs, DEERS will automatically notify the surviving family members of their eligibility for enrollment in the TDP and provide guidance to contact United Concordia for enrollment if desired.

What are the costs?

Monthly Premium - the Government pays 100 percent of the TDP Survivor Benefit premium for the:

Surviving spouse for up to three years from the sponsor’s date of death
Surviving children until age 21, or 23 if certain conditions related to their school enrollment and financial support apply (see the “Age-related eligibility rules” section below for details)
Incapacitated children for whichever is longest:
Three years from sponsor’s date of death (not to exceed 21 years of age)
The date the child turns 21
The date the child turns 23, if certain conditions related to their school enrollment and financial support apply (see the “Age-related eligibility rules” section below for details)

Cost-Shares:

Survivor cost-shares are the same as TDP cost-shares, with 100% in-network coverage for most diagnostic and preventive services and varying cost-shares for routine and specialty care.

Finding a Network Dentist:

Use the Find a Dentist application to find a local TDP network dentist.

What happens when the TDP Survivor Benefit coverage ends?

Surviving spouses are eligible for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Program (FEDVIP) dental plan once the three-year TDP Survivor Benefit period ends.

Age-related eligibility rules:

Eligible unmarried children are covered by the TDP until the last day of the month in which they turn age 23 if:

They’re a student enrolled full-time at an approved institution of higher learning. If the student ends their education before turning age 23, coverage ends at the end of the month in which their education ends.
They have a disabling illness or injury that occurred:
Before their 21st birthday, or
Between ages 21 and 23 while attending an approved institution of higher learning full-time.