Military Retirees and Families Must Act Soon to Get New Dental Coverage
2019 Dental Coverage Available for Nearly Three Million Military Retirees
The Military Times reported that the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) is replacing the Tricare Retiree Dental Program (TRDP), which will end on December 31, 2018. Military retirees are not automatically enrolled in the new FEDVIP coverage. The article noted that “they must enroll between Nov. 12 and Dec. 10, or they won’t have coverage on Jan. 1.”
Some advocates are concerned many retirees may be unaware of the change. “My biggest fear is that there are going to be so many retirees who are not going to get the word until they try to go to the dentist,” said Frank Yoakum, a retired Army sergeant major who is executive director of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States. “They’ll find out they have no dental coverage. ... So they have to wait until next year’s open season to make a choice for 2020. They’ll go without dental care for a year.”
The article reported that “about 1.6 million beneficiaries are currently enrolled in the Tricare Retiree Dental Program, and another 1.3 million are eligible retirees who aren’t currently enrolled in that program.” In total, “nearly 3 million beneficiaries are eligible for FEDVIP.”
For more information, including enrollment tips and scheduled webinars on enrollment, visit the Tricare page here.
TRDP Transition to FEDVIP
The TRDP will end on December 31, 2018. Retirees currently enrolled in the TRDP will have the option to secure dental coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).
FEDVIP offers a choice of dental carriers, including Delta Dental. Enrollment in the FEDVIP will begin November 12, 2018 and run through December 10, 2018.
You must select a FEDVIP dental plan to continue your dental care benefits. Visit benefeds.com to select and enroll in a FEDVIP plan.
FEDVIP Plan Information
With 10 dental carriers to choose from, and some plans offering both high and standard options, FEDVIP offers great flexibility when selecting the right coverage for you and your family.
Tacoma Dentist, Duke N. Bui, DDS, PS - Family Dentistry, accepts the following dental carriers from the FEDVIP list as an In-Network Provider:
