From Postal Reporter Reader: ”This should answer many questions people will have on the new Dental and Vision Program. ”

The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP):  Program Overview and Agency Responsibilities (PDF)

The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) first open season will be held November 13 through December 11, 2006, concurrent with the open seasons for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS).  Eligible employees and annuitants will be able to enroll in FEDVIP during open season.

Highlights of Who’s eligible to enroll:

Federal and USPS employees.  Federal and U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees are eligible to enroll in FEDVIP if they are eligible to enroll in the FEHB Program.  It does not matter if they are enrolled in FEHB or not.  Eligibility is the key. 

Some Federal and USPS employees are not eligible for FEHB coverage, and thus are not eligible to elect FEDVIP coverage.  The list of excluded positions is the same as for the FEHB Program.  As with FEHB, OPM makes the final determination about whether categories of excluded positions apply to a specific employee or group of employees.

Federal/USPS employees enrolled in FEDVIP who subsequently retire on an immediate annuity or for disability under CSRS, FERS, or another retirement system for employees of the Government may continue FEDVIP enrollment into retirement.  There is no 5-year rule for continuing coverage into retirement as there is with the FEHB Program. 

Federal annuitants.  Federal annuitants are eligible to enroll in FEDVIP if they retired on an immediate annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or another retirement system for employees of the Government.  Individuals who retire for disability under CSRS, FERS, or another retirement system for employees of the Government are also eligible. 

• Federal/USPS employees retired on a deferred annuity (i.e., they are not eligible for an immediate annuity when they separate from Federal service) are not eligible to enroll in FEDVIP and cannot continue a FEDVIP enrollment into retirement.

• Federal/USPS employees enrolled in FEDVIP who retire on a Minimum Retirement Age +10 annuity and elect to postpone receipt of their annuity lose FEDVIP coverage upon separation from service.  Such individuals can again enroll in FEDVIP within 60 days of when they start receiving their annuity.  They do not have to enroll in the same plan, option or same enrollment type they had when they separated.

Survivor annuitants.  Survivors of deceased Federal/USPS employees or annuitants may be eligible to enroll or continue the enrollment of the deceased. 

 

• A member of a family who receives an immediate annuity as the survivor of an employee or of a retired employee is eligible to enroll in FEDVIP.  The survivor does not have to have been covered under the deceased person’s FEDVIP enrollment. 

• If an employee or annuitant enrolled in FEDVIP dies while enrolled in Self Plus One or Self and Family, the enrollment will continue for their eligible family members who become survivor annuitants.

Compensationers.  Compensationers are eligible to enroll in FEDVIP or continue FEDVIP enrollment into compensation status. 

• A family member receiving monthly compensation from the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) as the surviving beneficiary of an employee who dies as a result of illness or injury sustained while in performance of his/her duty can enroll in FEDVIP or continue the deceased’s FEDVIP enrollment.

Related Links: Dental and Vision Premiums

Postal Employees Health Benefits Information