FEDVIP Enrollment Guide for TRICARE Beneficiaries | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer FEDVIP is the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, which TRICARE beneficiaries can use to purchase supplemental dental and vision coverage. Most retirees and their families are eligible for both dental and vision through FEDVIP, while active duty family members are eligible for vision only.

## Details Administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), FEDVIP replaced the old TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) years ago. It offers a choice of multiple private insurers (such as Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare) with varying premiums and coverage levels.

### When to enroll There are only two times you can enroll in a FEDVIP plan: 1. **Federal Benefits Open Season:** This occurs annually from the Monday of the second full work week in November through the Monday of the second full work week in December. 2. **Qualifying Life Events (QLEs):** Certain events, such as getting married, having a baby, or retiring from active duty, allow for a 60-day enrollment window outside of open season.

### Dental Coverage for Retirees While active duty service members receive dental care on-base, retirees and their families do not have a robust built-in dental benefit under TRICARE. They must enroll in FEDVIP to receive comprehensive dental insurance. As of 2026, there are usually 12 dental carriers to choose from, offering "Standard" and "High" options.

### Vision Coverage Vision coverage through FEDVIP is an "add-on." To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a TRICARE health plan (like TRICARE Select or Prime). * **Active Duty Family Members:** Eligible for FEDVIP vision. * **Retirees and Families:** Eligible for FEDVIP vision. * **Active Duty Service Members:** **Not eligible.** Their vision care is provided by military treatment facilities.

### 2026 Enrollment Process Enrollment is not handled via TRICARE.mil or the regional contractors (Humana Military or TriWest). Instead, all FEDVIP actions are managed through the **BENEFEDS** portal. * **Website:** BENEFEDS.com * **Premiums:** These are separate from TRICARE enrollment fees and are usually deducted directly from your retirement pay or via electronic funds transfer (EFT).

## Who this affects * **Retirees and their families:** Eligible for both Dental and Vision. * **Active duty family members:** Eligible for Vision only. (Dental is provided via the TRICARE Dental Program, which is separate from FEDVIP). * **Retired National Guard and Reserve:** Eligible for both Dental and Vision once they reach age 60 and begin receiving pay. * **Survivors:** Eligible for Dental and Vision depending on their specific status. * **Medal of Honor recipients:** Eligible for Dental and Vision.

## Sources * **BENEFEDS (Official Enrollment Site):** https://www.benefeds.com * **TRICARE.mil FEDVIP Overview:** https://www.tricare.mil/fedvip * **Office of Personnel Management (OPM):** https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/dental-vision/ * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region):** https://www.triwest.com