DENTAL INSURANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE SELECTED RESERVE.

SEC. 705. DENTAL INSURANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE SELECTED RESERVE. (a) Program Authorization.— (1) Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1076a the following new section: “§ 1076b. Selected Reserve dental insurance “(a) Authority To Establish Plan.— The Secretary of Defense shall establish a dental insurance plan for members of the Selected 110 STAT. 373Reserve of the Ready Reserve. The plan shall provide for voluntary enrollment and for premium sharing between the Department of Defense and the members enrolled in the plan. The plan shall be administered under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. “(b) Premium Sharing.— (1) A member enrolling in the dental insurance plan shall pay a share of the premium charged for the insurance coverage. The member’s share may not exceed $25 per month. “(2) The Secretary of Defense may reduce the monthly premium required to be paid by enlisted members under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that the reduction is appropriate in order to assist enlisted members to participate in the dental insurance plan. “(3) A member’s share of the premium for coverage by the dental insurance plan shall be deducted and withheld from the basic pay payable to the member for inactive duty training and from the basic pay payable to the member for active duty. “(4) The Secretary of Defense shall pay the portion of the premium charged for coverage of a member under the dental insurance plan that exceeds the amount paid by the member. “(c) Benefits Available Under the Plan.— The dental insurance plan shall provide benefits for basic dental care and treatment, including diagnostic services, preventative services, basic restorative services, and emergency oral examinations. “(d) Termination of Coverage.— The coverage of a member by the dental insurance plan shall terminate on the last day of the month in which the member is discharged, transfers to the Individual Ready Reserve, Standby Reserve, or Retired Reserve, or is ordered to active duty for a period of more than 30 days.”. (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1076a the following: “1076b. Selected Reserve dental insurance.”. (b) Implementation.— Beginning not later than October 1, 1996, the Secretary of Defense shall offer members of the Selected Reserve the opportunity to enroll in the dental insurance plan required under section 1076b of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)). During fiscal year 1996, the Secretary shall collect such information and complete such planning and other preparations as are necessary to offer and administer the dental insurance plan by that date. The activities undertaken by the Secretary under this subsection during fiscal year 1996 may include— (1) surveys; and (2) tests, in not more than three States, of a dental insurance plan or alternative dental insurance plans meeting the requirements of section 1076b of title 10, United States Code.