Military Retiree Dental Insurance Program Through FEDVIP – What You Need to Know

Military retirees are eligible for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), giving them many dental insurance plans to choose from.
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FEDVIP - Military Retiree Dental Insurance

In 2019, the Tricare Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) closed its doors and military retirees and their qualified dependents were transitioned to the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). Closing the TRDP allowed the government to streamline operations while also providing military retirees and their families with a greater number of dental providers to choose from. Of course, military retirees are also able to obtain dental or vision insurance through their civilian employer if offered or pay for their dental costs directly.

What Changed

Military retirees and families are now eligible to purchase any dental plans offered through the FEDVIP program.

With this change comes new enrollment rules – you will no longer be able to opt in and out of the program at any time. Changes to FEDVIP coverage are only allowed during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season each fall, and if you have a FEDVIP qualifying life event that would necessitate a change in coverage.

You’ll have to enroll in the FEDVIP program during the open season fall if you want to have dental coverage for the following year. The 2022 Tricare Open Season will run from November 14, 2022, to December 13, 2022. During this time, you will make selections for your coverage during 2023.

FEDVIP Dental Insurance Open Enrollment

FEDVIP has a wide variety of plans from which to choose. Each plan has a different cost and provides different benefits. So you’ll have to do some reading and thinking to find out which plan might be right for you.

Employer-Sponsored Options

If you are working after military retirement, you may have the opportunity to purchase a dental plan with your private employer picking up a portion of the dental costs. For those who want dental insurance, you will want to carefully compare the costs and benefits of any private employer-sponsored plan with the cost of other options, including the plans offered through FEDVIP. If your employer is heavily subsidizing dental insurance purchases through work, then it might be a great choice for you instead of FEDVIP.

Plans Offered Through The FEDVIP Program

For most retirees, the two hardest parts about the switch from the TRDP to the FEDVIP program will be the new open season model and choosing between the many FEDVIP options.

Depending on your zip code, you may have more than a dozen plans to choose from. Each plan has a different premium and has different coverages, deductibles, co-pays, and plan maximums. Importantly for those transitioning from the TRDP to the FEDVIP plan, some FEDVIP plans have a waiting period for orthodontia. However, some plans are making exceptions for those moving directly from the TRDP.

FEDVIP Dental Programs

FEDVIP offers a variety of dental plans to choose from. While many plans are available nationwide or even internationally, some plans are only available regionally or in certain zip codes. You can visit the BeneFeds website for a full rundown and comparison of the available options. But here is a quick overview:

National & International Availability

  • Aetna® Dental
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield® FEP Dental?
  • Delta Dental®
  • GEHA® Connection Dental Federal
  • MetLife® Federal Dental Plan
  • United Concordia® Dental
  • UnitedHealthcare® Dental

Regional Availability

  • Dominion® National Dental
  • EmblemHealth® Dental
  • HealthPartners® Dental
  • Humana® Dental
  • Triple-S Salud®

Example: MetLife’s FEDVIP Options

MetLife offers two plans through the FEDVIP program, with two tiers of benefits to meet the needs of military retirees switching from the TRDP program.

Both plans offer the following:

  • Child and adult orthodontic coverage
  • No waiting period
  • No cost-share on preventative services such as cleanings and exams
  • No deductible for in-network services
  • No out-of-pocket costs for in-network cleanings, X-rays, and exams
  • Higher annual and lifetime plan maximums
  • One of the nation’s largest networks, with over 393,000 dentists nationwide
  • Transition services: Any treatment started with TRDP will be covered by your MetLife plan option including root canal, crowns, bridgework, dentures, orthodontia services (except for adult orthodontics under the standard plan )

In addition, the HIGH option includes 70% coverage on orthodontics, with an incredible $5,000 total coverage on child orthodontics and $3,000 on adult orthodontics, plus no annual maximum benefit amount.

You can learn more about the MetLife FEDVIP plan here.

Which Dental Insurance Option Should You Choose?

There is no single right answer for everyone, and every person probably has a couple of choices that would be good for them. The most important thing is that you have to take action during the Federal Benefits Open Season if you want to have FEDVIP dental coverage.

Get started researching your options on Tricare.benefeds.com so you will be prepared to sign up when Open Season begins on November 14, 2022. Enroll in FEDVIP at BENEFEDS.com.

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  1. Barbara D Duncan says

    I am the spouse of retiree who has passed. Who do I contact about my dental coverage.
    I was covered under Delta Dental and received notice from my dentist that my dental work was turned down due to it being inactive. What does that mean? I have not received any notification concerning my coverage.
    My husbands name is Roger Dale Duncan

    • Ryan Guina says

      Hello Barbara, I’m sorry for your loss. You will need to contact Delta Dental to inquire about your eligibility. I recommend contacting Tricare too, to ensure you retain your Tricare eligibility and an active policy. Best wishes!

  2. Janice Millikan Angel says

    I think it would be so helpful to those of us who want to stay with out dentist to have a way to find out if the office we go to is a provider. Dentists are no all the same, actually quite the opposite. We should not have to bother our dentist to find out which plans they are attached to. Simplify the process!!

  3. William Stose says

    Living in the NE and having to switch from FEDVIP to a higher deduction per month and lesser coverage is a real kick in he teeth for Retired Military. As times go on with people like Trump in office they are cutting and cutting every chance they get! They would rather pay nothing for military and civilian health and dental whether you can afford it or not. The Republicans only take care of the rich!

    • gilbert julius gilbertson says

      Yes I’m a 20 year retired Army I was receiving all my medicines free, after Trumps tax costs my co pay started at $4.00 now it’t up to $10.00 I believe I should get my medicines at no cost I served my country’s while trump and others were filing bank rapacity. One Very Proud Vet Gil Gilbertson

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