Introducing our TRICARE Program Manager -
Lawrence D. McKinley, D.D.S.

Lawrence D. McKinley, D.D.S., (CAPT, U.S. Navy, RET) improves the dental service and oral health of those he serves. He’s been doing it since 1971 for the Nation’s military forces and since 2002 for United Concordia Companies, Inc. (United Concordia). Now he brings his impressive accomplishments to the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) as United Concordia’s Program Manager.

United Concordia manages the TDP for the Department of Defense (DoD). Working closely with DoD, Dr. McKinley oversees all facets of administering the worldwide TDP for active duty family members (ADFMs) and National Guard/Reserve forces and their families. He is instrumental in ensuring that more than 1.7 million TDP members receive the best United Concordia and TRICARE have to offer.

He heads the teams responsible for excellent customer service; efficient, accurate claims processing; accessible, understandable enrollment standards; fair and timely billing; and ensuring that dental professionals provide quality care and comply with their contracts.

"The TDP is DoD’s designated program to promote dental readiness in the National Guard/Reserve forces," said Dr. McKinley. "As a former military dental officer, I understand the role of dental health in the service member’s overall readiness."

To make sure that the National Guard/Reserve forces augment their dental readiness, Dr. McKinley and the United Concordia team will initiate an education plan so members realize the importance of proper oral hygiene and regular professional care. Dr. McKinley hopes that all those eligible for enrollment will take advantage of this initiative.

"United Concordia and the TRICARE Management Activity view the TDP not only as a comprehensive dental insurance program, but also as an important public health program," said Dr. McKinley. "We want to increase the dental health of our members through early diagnosis and disease prevention."

Dr. McKinley believes one of the keys to achieving this goal is to increase access to TDP benefits through the use of United Concordia participating dentists. "It is very important for TDP enrollees to use TDP/United Concordia network dentists whenever possible," Dr. McKinley said. "This way, TDP enrollees will have lower out-of-pocket expenses and our network dentists will file claims directly with United Concordia, removing the administrative burden from the member."

As a Navy Dental officer from 1971 to 2002, Dr. McKinley held the positions of Executive Officer (XO), Commanding Officer (CO), Head of Navy Dental Health Care Operations for the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and Director of the Dental Division and Senior Consultant for Dentistry at DoD. In 2002, Dr. McKinley moved to United Concordia as Director, Government Projects. He was promoted to vice president in 2003.