Employee Benefits Handout
Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program
Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Services (DCPAS)
Benefits, Wage & Non-Appropriated Funds Line of Business
Benefits & Work Life Programs Division
4800 Mark Center Drive, Suite 05G21
Alexandria, VA 22350-1100
Email: [email protected]
(703) 882-5197 or DSN 381-5197
Federal Employees Dental And Vision Insurance Program
2 2023
Background:
On December 23, 2004, President George W. Bush signed the Federal Employee Dental
and Vision Benefits Enhancement Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-496). The Act directed the U.S.
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to make supplemental dental and vision benefits
available to Federal employees, annuitants, and their eligible family members. Much like
the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, premiums for Federal
Employees Dental and Vision Program (FEDVIP) are deducted from your paycheck prior
to taxes being withheld under the premium conversion provision.
Eligibility Requirements:
Federal employees are eligible to enroll in FEDVIP if they are eligible to enroll in the
FEHB Program. Enrollment in the FEHB program is not required, but eligibility for
enrollment is essential. Employees enrolled in FEDVIP who retire on an immediate
annuity or disability under CSRS, FERS, or another retirement system for employees of
the Federal Government may continue FEDVIP enrollment into their retirement. Eligible
employees and annuitants will still be able to enroll and change their coverage in FEDVIP
during open seasons.
Spouses including valid common law marriage and legally married same-sex spouses and
children of these groups are eligible family members under a Self and Family or a Self
Plus One enrollment.
Eligible employees and annuitants who are not currently enrolled in FEDVIP may enroll:
During Open Season
60 days after break in service of at least 31 days or
60 days after an eligible Qualifying Life Event (QLE).
Note: Newly eligible family members are not considered a QLE under the FEDVIP
program. The 5-year rule for continuing coverage into retirement required by FEHB
program is not applicable for FEDVIP.
Parents and other relatives NOT listed in the FEHB Handbook as eligible are not eligible
family members, even if they live with and are dependent upon the enrollee. The changes
implemented by the Affordable Care Act, effective January 1, 2011, are not applicable for
adult children ages 18–25 under the FEDVIP program.
Deferred retirees
Former spouses of employees or retirees
FEHB Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) enrollees
Persons receiving an insurable interest annuity who is not also an eligible family
member
Federal Employees Dental And Vision Insurance Program
3 2023
Types of Enrollment:
There are three types of enrollment available under FEDVIP:
• Self Only
• Covers only the enrolled employee or annuitant. An eligible individual may enroll
in Self Only even though he/she has a family, but the family members are not
covered.
• Self Plus One
• Covers the enrolled employee or annuitant plus one eligible family member of
your choice. The enrollee
may change the covered family member to another
eligible family member during an Open Season or because of a QLE.
• Self and Family
• Covers the enrolled employee or annuitant and all eligible family members.
(Must list all eligible family members)
How to Enroll:
Employees and annuitants may enroll for FEDVIP online through www.BENEFEDS.com,
or by calling the BENEFEDS customer service line at 1-877-888-FEDS (1-877-888-
3337), TTY 1-877-889-5680. Upon enrollment, Benefeds will send a letter confirming
enrollment normally within 5 to 7 business days. Information will be provided on how to
access benefits from the plans selected within 15 days after coverage becomes effective.
When a Family Member Loses Eligibility:
For both Self Plus One and Self and Family enrollments, when an eligible family member
on an existing enrollment loses eligibility (e.g. reaches age 22 or remarries) and there is at
least one other eligible family member remaining on the enrollment, the enrollee should
remove the ineligible family member through BENEFEDS. Failure to remove ineligible
family members does not make them eligible.
Open Season:
The Federal Benefits Open Season is the annual time period set by OPM in which all
eligible persons may elect to change or cancel their coverage in FEDVIP. These open
seasons are held each fall, from the Monday of the second full week in November to the
Monday of the second full week in December. Outside of an open season, employees
must have a QLE in order to change their benefits.
Federal Employees Dental And Vision Insurance Program
4 2023
Types of Qualifying Life Events:
Below is a table of the QLEs allowing an enrollee to change their enrollment. The table
for permitted cancellation periods is listed on the following page.
QLE that may
permit a change
in enrollment
Possible FEDVIP Enrollment Changes Outside of Open Season
INCREASE
From Self Only
to Self Plus
One or to Self
and Family or
from Self Plus
One to Self and
Family
Decrease From
Self and Family
to Self Plus
One or to Self
Only or From
Self Plus One
to Self Only
Cancel
CHANGE from
one plan to
another
Acquiring an
eligible family
member
Yes
No
No
No
Losing a covered
family member
No
Yes
No
No
Losing other
dental/vision
coverage, as
applicable
(eligible or
covered person)
Yes
No
No
No
Moving out of
regional plan's
service area
No
No
No
Yes
Federal Employees Dental And Vision Insurance Program
5 2023
Listed below is a table that identifies the situations in which an employee may cancel
coverage under FEDVIP, outside of an Open Season.
QLEs that permit
enrollment cancellation
outside of Open Season
Possible FEDVIP Enrollment Cancellations Outside of
Open Season
From Enrolled to Not
Enrolled
Time Limit to Submit
QLE
Leaving pay status due to
deployment to active
military duty (enrollee or
spouse)
Yes
From 31 days before to
60 days after the event
date
Transferring to an eligible
position with a Federal
agency that provides
dental and/or vision
coverage with 50 percent
or more employer-paid
premiums.
Yes
From 31 days before to
60 days after the event
date
Leave Without Pay Situations:
Employees enrolled in FEDVIP who experience a period of LWOP for two consecutive
pay periods will be switched to a direct bill method. They will receive a bill at their home
address for the required premium payment. Non-payment will result in termination of
coverage. Premiums paid by direct bill are not pre-taxed.
For additional information on FEDVIP please visit the following websites:
http://opm.gov/insure/
https://www.benefeds.com/
http://opm.gov/insure/dental/index.asp
http://opm.gov/insure/dental/enrollment/dental.asp