TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Changes are coming throughout the Air Force to the dental services offered to dependents and retirees.
The TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) ends Dec. 31, 2018. Beginning in 2019, dental and vision plans will be available through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).
FEDVIP is a voluntary, enrollee-pay-all dental and vision program that offers eligible participants a choice between 10 dental and four vision carriers, with some plans offering both high and standard options. Enrollee-pay-all means there are no government contributions toward premiums.
In general, retired uniformed service members and their families who were eligible for the TRDP are eligible for FEDVIP dental coverage and, if enrolled in a TRICARE health plan, FEDVIP vision coverage. In addition, family members of active duty uniformed service members who are enrolled in a TRICARE health plan are eligible for FEDVIP vision coverage.
“If interested in enrollment, you must enroll during the Federal Benefits Open Season,” said 2nd Lt. Marcus Warmsley, 325th Medical Support Squadron patient administrative officer in charge. “Open season is your annual opportunity to sign up for FEDVIP, and this year it runs from Nov. 12through Dec. 10, 2018. If you are currently enrolled in a TRDP plan, you will not be automatically enrolled in a FEDVIP plan for 2019. You must enroll during open season.”
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017 included a provision to transition dental coverage for retired uniformed service members and their families from TRDP to FEDVIP. The end of TRDP is part of the historic reforms that began rolling out in the Military Health System Jan.1, 2018.
The implementation of the provisions under the 2017 NDAA and the beginning of the new TRICARE support contracts is meant to improve health and enhance medical readiness for the uniformed services. Under FEDVIP, members now have a choice between 10 dental carriers, with most dental plans offering national and international coverage. This gives more flexibility when choosing the right coverage for members and their families.
To check eligibility visit:
https://tricare.benefeds.com/InfoPortal/containerPage?EventName=eligibility-tool-start&ctoken=sqBMU6W0
For more information on registration and enrollment visit:
https://tricare.benefeds.com/InfoPortal/indexAction