§1712C Dental Insurance Plan for Veterans and Survivors and Dependents of Veterans

Summary

The Secretary must set up and run a dental insurance plan for veterans and for survivors and dependents of veterans. It covers any veteran enrolled under section 1705 and any survivor or dependent eligible under section 1781. The Secretary will hire a dental insurer to run the plan. The plan will pay for a range of dental care such as exams, prevention, fillings and root canals, surgery, and emergency dental work. Joining the plan is voluntary and people must sign up for at least the minimum time the Secretary sets. People in the plan must pay the full premium and any copayments. Premiums will be set to cover costs and can change once a year; enrollees will be told the new amount and when it starts. People can cancel within 30 days after they enroll. They can also cancel later for reasons the Secretary allows, such as moving out of the plan area or having a serious medical condition that stops them from using benefits. The plan does not replace or reduce dental care veterans can get under section 1712, and the Secretary will write rules to run the plan.