TRICARE Vision Insurance: Coverage, FEDVIP & 2026 Rates

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## Quick answer TRICARE’s vision coverage is split into two parts: basic medical eye care (like exams for diabetes or cataracts) included in your health plan, and elective vision insurance (for glasses or contacts) which most beneficiaries must buy separately through the **FEDVIP** program. Active duty service members get full coverage, but retirees and most family members must enroll in a private plan during Open Season to get help paying for frames and lenses.

In detail

### 1. Routine Eye Exams (Medical Benefit) Your TRICARE health plan (Prime, Select, or Life) covers the "medical" part of vision. This includes the exam to check your prescription, but coverage depends on who you are and which plan you use:

* **Active Duty Service Members (ADSM):** Full coverage for annual exams at military hospitals or via referral. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFM):** One routine eye exam per year is covered. * **Prime:** No copay if using a network provider. * **Select:** No copay if using a network provider (2026 rates). * **Retirees and Families:** Routine exams are generally **not covered** for retirees under TRICARE Select, though Prime retirees can get one exam every two years.

### 2. Vision Insurance (The FEDVIP Program) Since TRICARE health plans generally do not pay for glasses or contact lenses for retirees and families, the government offers the **Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)**. This is managed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), not the Defense Health Agency.

**2026 Plan Options Include:** * Aetna Vision Preferred * Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision * VSP Vision Care * UnitedHealthcare Vision

These plans offer "Standard" and "High" options. In 2026, premiums vary by zip code and provider, but typically range from $6 to $15 per month for an individual.

### 4. How to Enroll You can only enroll in FEDVIP vision insurance during the annual **Federal Benefits Open Season** (typically mid-November to mid-December) or after a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) like getting married or retiring from active duty. Enrolling is done through the **BENEFEDS** website.

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Service Members:** Do not need FEDVIP. All vision needs are met through military treatment facilities (MTFs). * **Active Duty Families:** Covered for annual exams by TRICARE, but need FEDVIP if they want help paying for glasses/frames. * **Retirees and Families:** Typically need FEDVIP for both the eye exam and the hardware. * **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) Users:** Eligible to purchase FEDVIP vision plans. * **TRICARE For Life (TFL) Users:** Eligible to purchase FEDVIP vision plans to supplement Medicare's limited vision coverage.

Common scenarios

**Scenario A: The Active Duty Spouse** Sarah is married to an Army Sergeant. She has TRICARE Prime. She goes to a network optometrist for her annual eye exam; her copay is **$0 (2026 rates)**. However, she needs new Prada frames. TRICARE pays **$0** for the frames. Because she didn't enroll in FEDVIP, she pays the full retail price of $300 at the shop.

**Scenario B: The Retired Couple** John retired from the Navy and is on TRICARE Select. He wants an eye exam and new bifocals. Because he is a retiree on Select, TRICARE does not cover his routine exam. However, he enrolled in a "High" FEDVIP plan for roughly $25/month for him and his wife. His exam is now **$0**, and his plan gives him a **$200 allowance** toward frames, leaving him with a small out-of-pocket balance.

**Scenario C: The Active Duty Member** LCDR Miller needs an eye exam and his glasses are scratched. He goes to the Optometry clinic at the local Naval Hospital. His exam, two pairs of standard military-issue frames, and his prescription inserts for his gas mask are all **$0**.

## Related terms * **FEDVIP:** Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program; the portal for buying supplemental insurance. * **BENEFEDS:** The official government-sponsored enrollment portal for FEDVIP. * **Routine Eye Exam:** A wellness exam to check vision and screen for disease, distinct from a medical "office visit" for an eye injury. * **Hardware:** Industry slang for the actual eyeglasses, frames, and contact lenses. * **Open Season:** The annual period where beneficiaries can change or start vision and dental insurance.

## Sources * **TRICARE Vision Overview:** https://www.tricare.mil/vision * **BENEFEDS (Enrollment):** https://www.benefeds.com * **OPM FEDVIP Information:** https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/compare-plans/vision/insurance-plans/ * **TRICARE Pharmacy (Express Scripts):** https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/ (Note: Pharmacy benefits cover certain medicated eye drops).