Dental and vision coverage for active-duty service members, retirees and their dependents is expanding. Later this year, TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries will be eligible for enrollment in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), the same plan that covers more than three million federal civil-service employees.
Registration would take place during this year’s Federal Benefits Open Season — Nov. 12 through Dec. 10. Coverage would begin Jan. 1, 2019.
TRICARE-eligible retirees should note that the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program would cease to exist on Dec. 31, and that enrollment in the new coverage is not automatic. Retirees covered under the outgoing program must choose new coverage under FEDVIP.
The change will extend coverage for 1.3 million eligible retired beneficiaries who currently are not enrolled in the old plan.
Coverage in FEDVIP will affect most TRICARE beneficiaries. The vision plan includes eyeglasses or contact lenses, in addition to routine eye examinations now provided under TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select.
More information is available online at TRICARE.benefeds.com.
