FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- Only half of the 61 million U.S. adults who are at high risk for serious vision loss visited an eye doctor in the past year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Eye exams can help keep your vision strong, diagnose potential issues early, and prevent diseases that may lead to vision loss or blindness.
Beginning with the 2018 Federal Benefits Open Season (Nov. 12 to Dec. 10), beneficiaries enrolled in a TRICARE health plan will be eligible to enroll in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP. Coverage will start Jan. 1.
Beneficiaries who enrolled in or are eligible for the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program, or TRDP, will also be able to enroll in one of the FEDVIP dental options for 2019 coverage. TRDP ends Dec. 31, 2018. FEDVIP offers 10 dental and four vision carrier options. People currently enrolled in the TRDP plan will not be automatically enrolled in a FEDVIP plan for 2019.
People can begin reviewing the 2018 FEDVIP program options now to better understand coverage and cost options. Officials are emphasizing that benefits and costs may change each year.
Each open season is an annual opportunity to enroll in, change, or cancel a FEDVIP dental or vision plan. Each year, it runs from the Monday of the second full week in November through the Monday of the second full week in December. People may only enroll in a FEDVIP plan outside of open season if they experience a FEDVIP Qualifying Life Event. Any election in a FEDVIP plan remains in effect for the entire calendar year, unless there is a qualifying life event allowing them to cancel or change enrollment.
Almost all TRICARE beneficiaries are eligible to enroll in the FEDVIP vision coverage as the sponsor or primary enrollee, said TRICARE officials. Visit the FEDVIP website for more information and to sign up for notifications about this change. (Courtesy of TRICARE)