While FEHB and PSHB premiums are government-subsidized, FEDVIP premiums are fully paid by the enrollee. Image: doomu/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe Federal Employees Health Benefits program and Postal Service Health Benefits program provide a wide range of benefits for federal employees, retirees, and certain family members. However, there are things they don’t cover, some of which are filled by the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance program.
Under FEDVIP, you have the option of enrolling in dental care, vision care or both. You don’t have to be enrolled in health insurance plan. Better still, you can even enroll in the FEDVIP program after you have retired (on an immediate annuity) even if you weren’t enrolled before retirement.
As with the FEHB and PSHB, enrollment typically occurs in the benefits open season each fall for the following calendar year, although in both cases enrollments (or changes in enrollments) are allowed due to certain life events such as marriage. Also similarly, if you are already enrolled, your previous choices will remain in effect if you don’t make a change.
FEDVIP contracts are administered by OPM and carried out through private insurers like GEHA, MetLife, Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental, United Concordia, VSP, and EyeMed. Each carrier sets its own premiums and provider networks, which can vary by ZIP code and state.
Like FEHB/PSHB, FEDVIP offers the choice of self only, self plus one and self and family coverage. If you are in both programs, you don’t have to make the same coverage choice. For example, if you have self and family coverage under the FEHB/PSHB, you could choose self only or self plus one coverage under FEDVIP.
Survivor annuitants are also eligible to enroll or continue coverage as long as they are receiving an annuity, either on their own or as a survivor annuitant.
One difference in eligibility is that under FEDVIP, children must be unmarried, dependent on you and under the age of 22. Under FEHB/PSHB, children can remain covered until age 26.
If you are enrolled in an FEHB/PSHB plan that doesn’t cover any dental or vision benefits, FEDVIP will be the primary payer of any bills you incur. If it does, FEDVIP will be responsible for coordinating the benefits. The same is true if you have other dental or vision insurance coverage.
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Key Differences in Costs
While FEHB and PSHB premiums are government-subsidized, FEDVIP premiums are fully paid by the enrollee. Active employees pay premiums with pretax payroll deductions, while retirees pay through after-tax annuity deductions. FEDVIP premiums are set annually and can change based on carrier and plan type, so reviewing the upcoming 2026 FEDVIP plan and premium guide during Open Season (Nov 10 – Dec 8) is essential.
Coordinating Benefits
If your FEHB or PSHB plan already includes limited dental or vision coverage, FEDVIP will coordinate with that plan to determine payment responsibility. For example, FEDVIP becomes primary if your FEHB/PSHB plan doesn’t include any dental or vision benefits, and secondary if some coverage overlaps.
Tip for Open Season: Compare both plans’ provider networks, maximum annual benefit limits, and out-of-pocket costs. Some dental plans—like GEHA High or BCBS FEP Dental—offer no waiting periods for major services, which can be valuable if you need restorative care soon after enrolling.
Use OPM’s Plan Comparison Tool on www.benefeds.com to estimate your total annual costs for dental and vision coverage.
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See also,
Calculating Service Credit for Sick Leave At Retirement
FERS Supplement vs The 10% Pension Bonus
How Your FERS, Social Security and TSP Payments Get Taxed
