OPM Issues Guidance on FEDVIP

OPM has put out guidance on the upcoming Federal and Dental Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), which will have its initial open season running concurrent with the upcoming FEHB open season starting November 13. The guidance notes that while both are insurance plans with generally the same persons eligible for enrollment, FEDVIP will differ from FEHB in several important ways. For example, while by law FEHB can offer only either self-only or self-and-family coverage, FEDVIP in addition will offer a self-plus-one option (the “one” would have to be someone who would be eligible for FEHB family coverage and excludes domestic partners, for example). Individuals eligible to enroll in both programs will be allowed to choose to enroll in FEHB only, FEDVIP only, both, or neither—and within FEDVIP, vision care, dental care, or both. Enrolles can also choose different enrollment types for each program—enrolling, for example, in self-and-family coverage under FEHB, but self-only coverage under FEDVIP.