Federal Employees' Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) Open Season 2008
The Federal Employees’ Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) open season begins November 10, 2008 and continues through December 8, 2008. Coverage will be effective on January 1, 2009. This enhancement is a supplemental dental and vision benefit, which is available to eligible federal employees, retirees and eligible dependants.
Representatives from the dental and vision care companies will be participating in the Federal Benefits Open Season Fair. Scheduled fairs are as follows:
- November 6 – 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Durham, NC – Rall Building, next to elevator/ by cafeteria
- November 12 – 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. – Baltimore, MD – BRC Atrium
- November 24 – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Bethesda, MD – Natcher Building (Building 45), Conference Room E1/E2
See the Benefits Calendar of Events for additional information.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
- All Federal employees who are eligible for the FEHB program. Employees do not have to be enrolled in FEHB program. Eligibility is the key.
- Eligible family members include an enrollee’s spouse and unmarried, dependent children under age 22, or over age 22 if incapable of self-support. Rules for eligible family members are the same as they are for the FEHB Program.
- Federal annuitants are eligible no matter what their FEHB status is.
I AM ELIGIBLE. WHAT WILL MY PREMIUM BE?
- There are no government contributions; participants pay 100% of the premium.
- Employees will have premiums withheld from their salary on a pre-tax basis.
- Annuitants will have their premiums withheld from their annuity on a post-tax basis.
- For premium information: https://www.benefeds.com/ViewPlans.html
ENROLLMENT OPTIONS
- There are three options: Self-only, Self plus One, and Self and Family.
- There are no pre-existing condition limitations.
- There are 7 dental providers and 3 vision providers to choose from.
OPM HAS CONTRACTS WITH 10 COMPANIES
- Dental benefits will be offered by Aetna Life Insurance Co., Government Employees Hospital Association, Inc. (GEHA), MetLife, Inc., United Concordia Co., Group Health, Inc., CompBenefits Corp. and Triple-S Inc.
- Vision benefits will be offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, United Healthcare Vision, and the Vision Service Plan.
HOW DO I ENROLL?
- Employees who wish to enroll, change, or cancel their enrollment in a FEDVIP plan must do so by visiting the BENEFEDS Portal or by calling 1-877-888-FEDS (3337) or TTY 1-877-889-5680 during Open Season, between November 10, 2008 and December 8, 2008. Coverage will be effective on January 1, 2009.
- All requested information must be provided at time of enrollment.
- Enrollees will self-certify eligible dependents.
- Paper enrollment forms will not be used for FEDVIP this year, with very rare exceptions.
BENEFEDS PORTAL
- Once an election is made, BENEFEDS portal will send the information to the dental/ vision carriers and payroll.
- The dental/vision carriers will send final confirmation of enrollment, ID cards and plan information to the enrollee.
- BENEFEDS has the right to request documentation of dependent’s eligibility from the enrollee.
- The enrollee will have 60 days to provide the requested documentation.
NEED HELP DECIDING?
Consumer Checkbook, the interactive tool that assists in comparing the Federal health plans, is available. To access this tool, you must log into the HHS internet site. The site will provide you with instructions on accessing and using Consumer Checkbook.
The Office of Personnel Management has an interactive on-line tool to help you compare available plans. The tool will give you a chance to compare costs and benefits among the plans available to you.
For detailed information, please visit the Office of Personnel Management’s FEDVIP web site and FEDVIP Frequently Asked Questions.
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN 2009
- Spectera Vision Plan has changed its name to UnitedHealthcare Vision
QUESTIONS?
- Please send an email to FEDVIP@opm.gov or call 1-866-639-3917. Customer service representatives are available during the open season from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., EST, Monday through Friday, and during the last weekend of the open season (December 6 and 7).
- Call the individual plans for specific plan information such as covered services, exclusions or limitations
