Veterans who are currently enrolled in VA health care are now eligible for dental insurance. The new health care program – VA Dental Insurance Program, or VADIP – launched its purchasing period Nov. 15, with coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2014, according to the department's website. Through the new system, interested individuals will be able to purchase dental insurance through MetLife and Delta Dental at a lower cost.
"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," VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said in a statement.
Under the new dental insurance package, veterans will receive a variety of comprehensive services, including preventative, diagnostic, surgical and restorative treatment.
According to the VA, family members of veterans are not eligible to enroll in the plan unless they are currently covered by the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Veterans Affairs Department, or CHAMPVA. To be eligible for CHAMPVA, one must be the spouse or child of a veteran who is permanently disabled, or the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who passed away due to a permanent disability.