Dental-Vision Plan Still in Works

OPM has said that the government will conduct an extensive informational campaign this autumn on the upcoming Federal Dental and Vision Insurance Program, during which employees and annuitants will be able to enroll during an open season that will run concurrent with the FEHB open season November 13-December 11. Enrollments will primarily be conducted through an online portal although paper forms will be available, and payroll offices will be ready for the program’s launch, OPM said. Employees will pay premiums with pre-tax money—although retirees will not be able to—and employees with health care flexible spending accounts will be able to submit dental/vision co-payments and deductibles as eligible expenses against their FSA account. However, the premiums—which are yet to be announced, along with copayments and deductibles–will not be reimbursable under an FSA. OPM has selected a set of carriers although it hasn’t signed contracts with any of them; an appeal by one bidder that wasn’t selected to provide dental coverage is pending.