As a federal government employee, you have access to a bevy of benefits. One such benefit is healthcare insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. FEHB options provide comprehensive health coverage. However, those choices typically offer only limited vision coverage.
This is where the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program—or FEDVIP—comes into play. Understanding enrollment, premium, and other FEDVIP requirements can help you maximize the benefits that support healthy eye care for you and your family.
Enrollment and Premiums
FEDVIP covers multiple vision care products and services. The program offers well-known nationwide vision plans that cover routine eye exams, glasses frames and lenses, contact lenses, and other eye-health issues.
When enrolling in FEDVIP, you have three options:
- Self Only: Covers just you as a federal employee or retiree.
- Self Plus One: Covers you and a specified family member.
- Self and Family: Covers you and all eligible family members.
Similar to FEHB, FEDVIP enrollment isn’t automatic. You must sign up for coverage during the Open Season. Both programs are paid for using pre-tax dollars, and coverage continues if you don’t make premium or benefit changes.
However, signing up for FEDVIP benefits differs from FEHB enrollment in the following ways:
- To sign up for FEDVIP, use the Benefits Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program portal (benefeds.com) rather than the agency systems and forms used for FEBH enrollment.
- You are responsible for paying the premiums; your agency doesn’t contribute. What you pay depends on the plan and coverage options.
- Your FEDVIP coverage continues when you retire; no five-year prior coverage requirement is necessary (as with FEHB).
Learn more about your retirement benefits at our No-Cost webinars, featuring Ed Zurndorfer -
Using FSA and HSA For Vision Care
If you contribute to a Flexible Savings Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), that money could be used to handle copays or prescription eyewear that FEHB or FEDVIP doesn’t cover.
For example, a Limited Expense Health Care FSA (LEX HCFSA) can help fund vision care products and services that might not otherwise be covered through your FEHB or FEDVIP. However, the LEX HCFSA is only available to:
- You, if you’re enrolled in an FEHB high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and have an HSA
- Your spouse, if they’re enrolled in a non-FEHB HDHP and has an HSA
Your healthcare plan determines FSA and HSA qualifications. Check your medical care coverage to determine whether you can participate in these savings plans.
Additional Tips to Maximize FEDVIP Benefits
Consider the following to get the most from your FEDVIP benefits:
- Schedule annual eye exams to ensure continued vision health and to detect potential issues.
- Maximize yearly coverage by planning for new eyewear or prescription updates.
- Take advantage of specialty coverage options, including contact lens allowances and laser eye surgery discounts.
Keep in mind that the costs incurred from vision exams and prescriptions first go to your FEHB plan as the first insurance payor. Costs not covered are submitted to your FEDVIP carrier.
FEDVIP for Better Vision Health
FEDVIP can be a great addition to federal benefits, as it supports your vision-care needs. Adding this extra coverage can help you and your family save money on eye exams, prescription glasses, contact lenses, and more.
To learn more about FEDVIP activation and advantages, register for Serving Those Who Serve’s free webinar, “Understanding Your FEHB and Medicare Benefits,” on February 26 or March 19, 2025.
For assistance in understanding other federal employee benefits and how they can help you and your family, contact the Fed-Focused CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ at Serving Those Who Serve. For your no-obligation consultation, visit the website or email [email protected].
The information has been obtained from sources considered reliable but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Serving Those Who Serve writers and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy suggested. Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon before making any investment or financial decision. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. **
