Dental & Vision
Insurance (FEDVIP).
The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program provides comprehensive dental and vision coverage for federal employees, retirees, and their families — with no government contribution. Enroll through BENEFEDS during Open Season.
FEDVIP — what you
need to know first.
FEDVIP is separate from FEHB — you must enroll independently, premiums are entirely your cost with no government contribution, and enrollment is managed through a different system (BENEFEDS, not the FEHB portal).
The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program offers three enrollment options — Self, Self Plus One, and Self and Family — for both dental and vision plans. Dental and vision are separate programs with separate premiums; you can enroll in one, both, or neither.
Unlike FEHB, there is no federal government contribution to FEDVIP premiums. Active employees, however, pay premiums with pre-tax dollars, which reduces the effective cost. Retirees pay post-tax premiums at the same rates as active employees.
Dental premiums are based on where you live — your geographic rating area determines your rate. Vision premiums are the same nationwide regardless of location. For both, you must compare plans and rates at the OPM FEDVIP site before enrolling.
2026 premium changes
The overall 2026 FEDVIP average premium for dental plans is increasing in the low single digits. Vision plan premiums will increase less than 1 percent on average. Rates vary by carrier and rating area — verify your specific plan's 2026 premium at the OPM FEDVIP site before Open Season ends.
Four dental
service classes.
FEDVIP dental plans provide a comprehensive range of services organized into four classes. Coverage percentages and cost sharing vary by plan and class — review your plan brochure for exact cost-sharing details.
Vision coverage
FEDVIP vision plans are separate from dental and priced nationally — the same rates apply regardless of where you live. Plans typically include annual eye exams, frames, lenses, and contact lens allowances. Coverage specifics vary by carrier.
What to look for in a vision plan
Compare annual exam frequency, the frame and lens allowance amount, contact lens benefits, and whether premium lens options (progressives, anti-reflective coatings) are covered at reduced cost or require full out-of-pocket payment. Premium frame and lens upgrades are a common area where plan differences add up quickly.
View current vision plan brochures and 2026 premiums at OPM's FEDVIP page.
How to enroll — BENEFEDS
All FEDVIP enrollment and plan changes must go through BENEFEDS — a separate secure enrollment site sponsored by OPM. This is different from the FEHB enrollment portal.
Online
Visit benefeds.com to enroll, compare plans, change coverage, or view current enrollment during Open Season.
Phone
Call 1-877-888-FEDS (1-877-888-3337) if you do not have computer access. TTY: 1-877-889-5680
When to enroll
Annual Open Season (November/December) concurrent with FEHB Open Season. New employees may enroll within 60 days of becoming eligible.
TRICARE eligibility for FEDVIP
Military retirees and active duty families
FEDVIP is available to TRICARE-eligible retirees and their families during Open Season — they do not need to be FEHB-enrolled.
Dental: Uniformed services retirees and their families may enroll in a FEDVIP dental plan.
Vision: Uniformed services retirees and their families, as well as active duty family members, can enroll in a FEDVIP vision plan if they are also enrolled in a TRICARE health plan.
Visit tricare.benefeds.com for TRICARE-specific FEDVIP eligibility information.
Retiree perspective — real costs
My wife and I elected Metlife Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield eye care. Metlife picks up our dental preventive care deductibles and pays a significant portion of other procedure costs. The eye care is also excellent — I am able to get annual checkups and a new pair of glasses once a year as needed, and they pay 100% of the cost for standard frames and lenses for new prescriptions. My last pair of glasses cost me $90 because I wanted the best progressive bifocals they offer. Prior to having this insurance, I would often pay over $300 for each new pair of eyeglasses.
We are very satisfied with our coverage. The cost is reasonable at just over $45 a month for dental and $12 a month for eye care.
— Dennis V. Damp, Retired FAAPlans, premiums
& enrollment.
Official OPM plan brochures, 2026 premium tables, and the BENEFEDS enrollment portal for comparing and selecting your FEDVIP plans.