How to Choose a Dental/Vision Insurance Plan During FEDVIP Open Enrollment
Choosing the right dental and vision insurance is an important decision. For federal employees, military retirees, and their families, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) offers a variety of dental insurance and vision insurance coverage options. Who is eligible for this coverage, and when can they sign up? We examine the options.
How to Choose a Dental/Vision Insurance Plan During FEDVIP Open Enrollment
FEDVIP is a voluntary, enrollee-pay-all insurance program. This means you pay the full premium, with no government contribution. However, because it is a group plan, the rates are competitive. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and administered by BENEFEDS.
Eligibility for FEDVIP is broad. It includes most federal employees, annuitants, and certain retired and active duty uniformed service members and their families.
According to the official site, “Sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), FEDVIP is a voluntary, enrollee-pay-all dental and vision insurance program. It replaced the former TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP).”
“In general, retired uniformed Service members, their Families, and survivors are eligible for FEDVIP dental coverage and, if enrolled in a TRICARE health plan, FEDVIP vision coverage.“
One of the advantages of FEDVIP is that you do not need to be enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program to participate. To enroll in a FEDVIP vision plan, military-affiliated personnel must be enrolled in a TRICARE health plan.
Enroll in FEDVIP
Enrollment in FEDVIP is not automatic. You must actively choose to enroll in a plan. The primary time to do this is during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season, which typically runs from mid-November to mid-December. Coverage elected during open season becomes effective on the first day of the following January.
If you are newly eligible for FEDVIP, for example, as a new federal employee or a recently retired service member, you have a 60-day window from the date of your eligibility to enroll.
Certain qualifying life events, such as marriage or the loss of other insurance coverage, also create a limited opportunity to enroll or change your plan outside of open season.
Comparing Dental and Vision Plans
Start your research at the BENEFEDS website, where you can verify your eligibility, compare plans, and complete the enrollment process. The site features a plan comparison tool that is invaluable for making an informed decision. This tool allows you to see premiums and benefits for the plans available in your geographic area.
Consider your dental and vision history. In recent years, have you needed major dental work like crowns or root canals? Do you or your family members wear glasses or contact lenses? Do you anticipate needing orthodontic work, such as braces, in the near future?
Answering these questions will help you determine the level of coverage that is most appropriate for your circumstances.
It also pays to consider your budget. For most federal employees, these premiums are paid with pre-tax dollars, which helps save money. For military retirees and other uniformed service annuitants, premiums are paid with post-tax funds. You must balance the monthly cost of the plan with the potential out-of-pocket expenses you might face for services.
How to Choose a Dental Plan
FEDVIP offers coverage typically as standard or high-option plans. High-option plans have higher premiums but offer more extensive coverage and may feature lower out-of-pocket costs for some services.
Standard-option plans have lower premiums but may require you to pay a larger share of the cost for major procedures.
When comparing dental insurance plans, look closely at the provider network. A plan’s network is the group of dentists and specialists who have agreed to accept the plan’s payment as payment in full, minus any deductibles, co-payments, or coinsurance. Using an in-network provider will almost always result in lower costs for you. If you travel frequently or have family members in different parts of the country, a nationwide plan might be a better choice.
Some FEDVIP dental plans provide 100% coverage for routine preventive and diagnostic services, such as cleanings, exams, and X-rays, when you use an in-network provider. For other services, the plan will cover a percentage of the cost, and you will pay the rest. This is known as coinsurance. For example, a plan might cover 80% of the cost for fillings and 50% for major services like crowns or bridges.
It pays to research each plan’s annual cap or maximum benefit. This is the most a plan will pay for your dental care in a calendar year. If you anticipate needing extensive dental work, a plan with a higher annual maximum might be worth the higher premium.
How to Choose a Vision Plan
Similar to the dental plans, FEDVIP vision plans come in standard and high options. Your choice will depend on your specific vision needs. If you only need a basic eye exam and a new pair of glasses every couple of years, a standard plan might be sufficient.
Do you need more frequent exams? Do you wear contact lenses or prefer premium lens options? In such cases, a high-option plan could be more cost-effective in the long run.
Examine the network of providers for each vision plan. The networks typically include a mix of independent eye doctors and large retail chains. If you have an established relationship with an optometrist, see if they are part of the network. Using an in-network provider ensures you get the most value from your plan.
When comparing vision plans, look at the allowances for frames and contact lenses. An allowance is a fixed amount the plan will pay toward your purchase.
Also, check the co-pays for exams and lenses. A co-pay is a fixed amount you pay for a service, while the plan pays the rest.
Some vision plans also offer discounts on services not fully covered by the plan, such as LASIK surgery or additional pairs of glasses. If these are services you might use, these discounts can add significant value to the plan.
Making Your FEDVIP Decision
Use the plan comparison tool on the BENEFEDS website to view up to three plans side-by-side. This makes it easy to see the differences in premiums, deductibles, and coverage levels. Before you finalize your enrollment, review the official plan brochure for any plan you are seriously considering. The brochure provides the most detailed and comprehensive information about the plan’s benefits and limitations.
Frequently Asked FEDVIP Questions
What is the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)?
FEDVIP is a voluntary insurance program that provides dental and vision coverage to federal employees, annuitants, uniformed service retirees, and their eligible family members. It is an enrollee-pay-all program, which means you pay the full premium without a government contribution. Because it is a large group program, the rates are competitive.
Who is eligible to enroll in FEDVIP?
Eligibility is broad and includes most federal and U.S. Postal Service employees and annuitants, retired uniformed service members, and their families. To enroll in a FEDVIP vision plan, military retirees and their families must also be enrolled in a TRICARE health plan. You do not need to be enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program to be eligible for FEDVIP.
When can I enroll in a FEDVIP plan?
The primary time to enroll is during the Federal Benefits Open Season, which occurs annually from mid-November to mid-December. Coverage elected during this period begins on the first of January. You may also enroll if you are newly eligible, such as after starting a federal job or retiring from the military, in which case you have 60 days from the eligibility date to enroll. Certain qualifying life events, like marriage, also provide a limited window to enroll or change your plan.
How do I enroll in or change my FEDVIP plan?
All enrollment and plan changes are managed through the BENEFEDS website. This is the official online portal for the FEDVIP program. You can create an account, verify your eligibility, compare different plans, and complete the enrollment process entirely online.
How should I begin comparing different plans?
Assess your personal and family needs. Review your past dental and vision care history to anticipate future needs, such as major dental procedures, orthodontia, or new glasses or contact lenses. Be sure to work on a budget for monthly premiums. Finally, use the official plan comparison tool on the BENEFEDS website., where you can view the costs and benefits of different plans available in your area side-by-side.
What should I look for when choosing a dental plan?
Check the provider network to see if your current dentist is included, as staying in-network may lower your costs.
Compare the coverage tiers, such as standard versus high-option plans, to balance premium costs with your expected need for services. Look at the coinsurance, which is the percentage of costs you will pay for basic and major services.
Don’t forget to review the annual cap or maximum benefit, which is the total amount the plan will pay for your care in a single year. A higher maximum is better if you anticipate needing extensive work.
Are there waiting periods for major dental work under FEDVIP?
No, one of the primary advantages of FEDVIP dental plans is that there are no waiting periods for services, including major procedures like crowns, bridges, implants, or orthodontia. Your full benefits are available as soon as your coverage becomes effective.
What are the key features to compare in a vision plan?
For vision plans, look at the co-pays for eye exams and lenses. Compare the plan’s allowance for frames and contact lenses, which is the fixed dollar amount the plan contributes toward your purchase. Check the provider network to ensure it includes convenient options, from independent doctors to large retail chains. Finally, see if the plan offers discounts on other services, such as LASIK surgery, which can add significant value.
How are FEDVIP premiums paid?
Premiums are deducted automatically from your pay or annuity. For current federal employees, these premiums are typically paid with pre-tax dollars, which lowers your taxable income. For annuitants and retired uniformed service members, premiums are paid with post-tax dollars.
Where can I find the most detailed information about a specific plan?
The most comprehensive information can be found in the official plan brochure. After using the comparison tool on the BENEFEDS website to narrow your choices, you should always download and read the brochure for any plan you are seriously considering. It provides the complete details of the plan’s benefits, costs, and limitations.
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
