FEDVIP

The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program or FEDVIP, became available to eligible federal employees beginning December 31, 2006. This insurance program is open to all federal employees, retired federal employees, and their eligible family members.

Enrollment in FEDVIP is voluntary. Employees may enroll in either the dental plan, the vision plan or they may choose not to enroll at all. Individuals may opt to enroll themselves, self plus one, or self plus family benefit plans.

FEDVIP offers supplemental dental and vision group insurance. A group insurance program reduces the cost of premiums for its members due to the number of individuals enrolled in the program. Members can use their pre-tax dollars to pay for these premiums. The premiums can be deducted from a federal employees wages on a pre-tax basis.

Choosing a dental insurance company can be confusing, especially if you don't see your dentist outside of your normal twice-a-year visits. If you have a family, consider the potential problems that may arise -- braces, knocked out teeth, and surfacing of younger children's teeth can be costly. Certain dental problems may also require you to be enrolled for two years prior to covering any major dental care, such as braces.

The following dental insurance companies are designated carriers for the FEDVIP program:

• Aetna
• Government Employees Hospital Association, Inc.
• MetLife
• United Concordia Companies, Inc.
• CompBenefits
• Triple-S Inc.
• Group Health, Inc.

Benefits under the FEDVIP dental plan cover a range of services. These include:

• Oral examinations
• Prophylaxis
• Diagnostics
• Sealants
• X-rays
• Fillings and crowns
• Scaling and tooth extractions
• Denture adjustments

Additional major services that are covered under the plan include:

• Root canals
• Oral surgery
• Complete dentures
• Orthodontic services with up to a 24-month waiting period

The vision option in the FEDVIP plan may not be needed for individuals with no vision problems and have no one else they are supporting. If, however, you have vision problems and young children, a vision insurance program may be for you. Replacing broken lenses and lost contacts can become costly, especially with young children.

The following insurance companies are designated vision carriers:

• BlueCross BlueShield Association
• Spectera
• VSP (Vision Service Plan)

Benefits covered under the vision plan include:

• Comprehensive eye examinations
• Lenses
• Frames
• Contact Lenses
• Discounts on LASIK surgery

Individuals who are federal or postal employees and are eligible for FEHB are allowed to enroll in the program. However, you do not need to be enrolled in FEHB in order to enroll in FEDVIP. Eligible employees may enroll during open enrollment season. The dates of open enrollment can be found out by checking the BENEFEDS website. If you are a new hire, you may enroll without waiting for the normal open enrollment season.

Family members that are eligible for enrollment include your spouse, unmarried children under the age of 22, and certain disabled children who may be older than 22. Disabled children over the age of 22 must not be able to support themselves due to a mental or physical disability.

Those who cannot enroll include:

• Former spouses
• Parents of eligible employees
• Deferred annuitants
• Temporary employees
• Intermittent employees
• Seasonal employees who are employed for less than 6 months per year

Enrollment can be accomplished through BENEFEDS, the online site for federal employees to enroll in benefit programs.

The FEDVIP allows federal employees to supplement their current insurance plans with dental and vision insurance coverage. Employees can have the insurance premiums deducted from their pre-tax wages. The plan covers the employee, their spouse and eligible children. This insurance plan will help defray the costs of routine visits to an optometrist, discount the cost of LASIK surgery, and cover a wide range of dental services. Employees interested in the plan can enroll in FEDVIP during open enrollment or upon being hired.

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