You can select from several nationwide, and in some areas, regional dental Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, and high and standard coverage options.  You can also select from several nationwide vision plans.  You may enroll in a dental plan or a vision plan, or both.  Some TRICARE beneficiaries may not be eligible to enroll in both.  Visit www.opm.gov/dental or www.opm.gov/vision for more information.

You enroll online at www.BENEFEDS.com.  Please see Section 2, Enrollment, for more information.

If you sign up for a dental and/or vision plan during the 2021 Open Season, your coverage will begin on January 1, 2022.  Premium deductions will start with the first full pay period beginning on/after January 1, 2022.  You may use your benefits as soon as your eligibility is confirmed.

Each year, an Open Season will be held during which you may enroll or change your vision/dental plan enrollment.  This year, Open Season runs from November 8, 2021 through December 13, 2021.  You do not need to re-enroll each Open Season, unless you wish to change plans or plan options; your coverage will continue from the previous year.  In addition to the annual Open Season, there are certain events that allow you to make specific types of enrollment changes throughout the year.  Please see Section 2, Enrollment, for more information.

Employees automatically pay premiums through payroll deductions using pre-tax dollars.  Annuitants automatically pay premiums through annuity deductions using post-tax dollars. TRICARE enrollees automatically pay premiums through payroll deduction or automatic bank withdrawal (ABW) using post-tax dollars.

If you are a Federal or U.S. Postal Service employee, you are eligible to enroll in FEDVIP, if you are eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program or the Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchange) and your position is not excluded by law or regulation.  Enrollment in the FEHB Program or the Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchange) is not required.

You are eligible to enroll if you:

• 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 Federal Government;
• Retired for disability under CSRS, FERS, or another retirement system for employees of the Federal Government.

Your FEDVIP enrollment will continue into retirement if you retire on an immediate annuity or for disability under CSRS, FERS or another retirement system for employees of the Government, regardless of the length of time you had FEDVIP coverage as an employee.  There is no requirement to have coverage for 5 years of service prior to retirement in order to continue coverage into retirement, as there is with the FEHB Program.

Your FEDVIP coverage will end, if you retire on a Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) + 10 retirement and postpone receipt of your annuity.  You may enroll in FEDVIP again when you begin to receive your annuity.

An individual who is eligible for FEDVIP dental coverage based on the individual's eligibility to previously be covered under the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program or an individual eligible for FEDVIP vision coverage based on the individual's enrollment in a specified TRICARE health plan.

Retired members of the uniformed services and National Guard/Reserve components, including “gray-area” retirees under age 60 and their families are eligible for FEDVIP dental coverage.  These individuals, if enrolled in a TRICARE health plan, are also eligible for FEDVIP vision coverage.  In addition, uniformed services active duty family members who are enrolled in a TRICARE health plan are eligible for FEDVIP vision coverage.

Except with respect to TRICARE-eligible individuals, family members include your spouse and unmarried dependent children under age 22.  This includes legally adopted children and recognized natural children who meet certain dependency requirements.  This also includes stepchildren and foster children who live with you in a regular parent-child relationship.  Under certain circumstances, you may also continue coverage for a disabled child 22 years of age or older who is incapable of self-support.  FEDVIP rules and FEHB rules for family member eligibility are NOT the same.  For more information on family member eligibility visit the website at www.BENEFEDS.com or contact your employing agency or retirement system.

With respect to TRICARE-eligible individuals, family members include your spouse, unremarried widow, unremarried widower, unmarried child, an unremarried former spouse who meets the U.S Department of Defense's 20-20-20 or 20-20-15 eligibility requirements, and certain unmarried persons placed in your legal custody by a court.  Children include legally adopted children, stepchildren, and pre-adoptive children.  Children and dependent unmarried persons must be under age 21 if they are not a student, under age 23 if they are a full-time student, or incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical incapacity. 

The following persons are not eligible to enroll in FEDVIP, regardless of FEHB eligibility or receipt of an annuity or portion of an annuity:

• Deferred annuitants
• Former spouses of employees or annuitants.  Note:  Former spouses of TRICARE-eligible individuals may enroll in a FEDVIP vision plan.
• FEHB Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) enrollees
• Anyone receiving an insurable interest annuity who is not also an eligible family member
• Active duty uniformed service members.  Note:  If you are an active duty uniformed service member, your dental and vision coverage will be provided by TRICARE.  Your family members will still be eligible to enroll in the TRICARE Dental Plan (TDP). 

You must use BENEFEDS to enroll or change enrollment in a FEDVIP plan.  BENEFEDS is a secure enrollment website (www.BENEFEDS.com) sponsored by OPM.  If you do not have access to a computer, call 1-877-888-FEDS (1-877-888-3337), TTY number 1-877-889-5680 to enroll or change your enrollment.

If you are currently enrolled in FEDVIP and do not want to change plans or options, your enrollment will continue automatically.  Please Note: your plans' premiums may change for 2022.

Note: You cannot enroll or change enrollment in a FEDVIP plan using the Health Benefits Election Form (SF 2809) or through an agency self-service system, such as Employee Express, PostalEase, EBIS, MyPay, or Employee Personal Page.  However, those sites may provide a link to BENEFEDS.

Self Only: A Self Only enrollment covers only you as the enrolled employee or annuitant. You may choose a Self Only enrollment even though you have a family.  However, your family members will not be covered under FEDVIP.

Self Plus One: A Self Plus One enrollment covers you as the enrolled employee or annuitant plus one eligible family member whom you specify.  You may choose a Self Plus One enrollment even though you have additional eligible family members, but the additional family members will not be covered under FEDVIP. 

Self and Family: A Self and Family enrollment covers you as the enrolled employee or annuitant and all of your eligible family members.  You must list all eligible family members when enrolling.

If you or one of your family members is enrolled in or covered by one FEDVIP plan, that person cannot be enrolled in or covered as a family member by another FEDVIP plan offering the same type of coverage; i.e., you (or covered family members) cannot be covered by two FEDVIP dental plans or two FEDVIP vision plans.

Open Season

If you are an eligible employee, annuitant, or TRICARE-eligible individual, you may enroll in a dental and/or vision plan during Open Season, November 8, through December 13, 2021 (midnight, EST). Coverage is effective January 1, 2022.

During future annual Open Seasons, you may enroll in a plan, or change or cancel your dental and/or vision coverage.  The effective date of these Open Season enrollments and changes will be set by OPM.  If you want to continue your current enrollment, do nothing.  Your enrollment carries over from year to year, unless you change it.

New hire/Newly eligible

You may enroll within 60 days after you become eligible as:

• a new employee;
• a previously ineligible employee who transferred to a covered position;
• a survivor annuitant if not already covered under FEDVIP; or
• an employee returning to service following a break in service of at least 31 days.
• a TRICARE-eligible individual

Your enrollment will be effective the first day of the pay period following the one in which BENEFEDS receives and confirms your enrollment.

Qualifying Life Event

A qualifying life event (QLE) is an event that allows you to enroll, or if you are already enrolled, allows you to change your enrollment outside of an Open Season.   

The following chart lists the QLEs and the enrollment actions you may take:

Qualifying Life Event: Marriage
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: Yes
Increase Enrollment Type: Yes
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: Yes

Qualifying Life Event: Acquiring an eligible family member (non-spouse)
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: No
Increase Enrollment Type: Yes
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: No

Qualifying Life Event: Losing a covered family member
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: No
Increase Enrollment Type: No
Decrease Enrollment Type: Yes
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: No

Qualifying Life Event: Losing other dental/vision coverage (eligible or covered person)
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: Yes
Increase Enrollment Type: Yes
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: No

Qualifying Life Event: Moving out of regional plan's service area
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: No
Increase Enrollment Type: No
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: Yes

Qualifying Life Event: Going on active military duty, non- pay status (enrollee or spouse)
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: No
Increase Enrollment Type: No
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: Yes
Change from One Plan to Another: No

Qualifying Life Event: Returning to pay status from active military duty (enrollee or spouse)
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: Yes
Increase Enrollment Type: No
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: No

Qualifying Life Event: Returning to pay status from Leave without pay
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: Yes (if enrollment cancelled during LWOP)
Increase Enrollment Type: No
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: Yes (if enrollment cancelled during LWOP)

Qualifying Life Event: Annuity/ compensation restored
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: Yes
Increase Enrollment Type: No
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: No

Qualifying Life Event: Transferring to an eligible position*
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: No
Increase Enrollment Type: No
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: Yes
Change from One Plan to Another: No

*Position must be in a Federal agency that provides dental and/or vision coverage with 50 percent or more employer-paid premium.

The timeframe for requesting a QLE change is from 31 days before to 60 days after the event. There are two exceptions:

• There is no time limit for a change based on moving from a regional plan’s service area; and

• You cannot request a new enrollment based on a QLE before the QLE occurs, except for enrollment because of a loss of dental or vision insurance. You must make the change no later than 60 days after the event.

Generally, enrollments and enrollment changes made based on a QLE are effective on the first day of the pay period following the one in which BENEFEDS receives and confirms the enrollment or change. BENEFEDS will send you confirmation of your new coverage effective date.

Once you enroll in a plan, your 60-day window for that type of plan ends, even if 60 calendar days haven’t yet elapsed. That means once you have enrolled in either a dental or a vision plan, you cannot change or cancel that particular enrollment until the next Open Season, unless you experience a QLE that allows such a change or cancellation.

Canceling an enrollment

You may cancel your enrollment only during the annual Open Season. An eligible family member’s coverage also ends upon the effective date of the cancellation.

Your cancellation is effective at the end of the day before the date OPM sets as the Open Season effective date.

Coverage ends for active and retired Federal, U.S. Postal employees, and TRICARE-eligible individuals when you:

• no longer meet the definition of an eligible employee, annuitant, or TRICARE-eligible individual;
• as a Retired Reservist you begin active duty;
• as sponsor or primary enrollee leaves active duty
• begin a period of non-pay status or pay that is insufficient to have your FEDVIP premiums withheld and you do not make direct premium payments to BENEFEDS;
• are making direct premium payments to BENEFEDS and you stop making the payments;
• cancel the enrollment during Open Season;
• a Retired Reservist begins active duty; or
• the sponsor or primary enrollee leaves active duty.

Coverage for a family member ends when:

• you as the enrollee lose coverage; or
• the family member no longer meets the definition of an eligible family member.

Under FEDVIP, there is no 31-day extension of coverage. The following are also NOT available under the FEDVIP plans:

• Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC);

• spouse equity coverage; or

• right to convert to an individual policy (conversion policy).

If you are planning to enroll in an FSAFEDS Health Care Flexible Spending Account

(HCFSA) or Limited Expense Health Care Flexible Spending Account (LEX HCFSA),

you should consider how coverage under a FEDVIP plan will affect your annual expenses, and thus the amount that you should allot to an FSAFEDS account. Please note that insurance premiums are not eligible expenses for either type of FSA.

If you have an HCFSA or LEX HCFSA FSAFEDS account and you haven’t exhausted your funds by December 31st of the plan year, FSAFEDS can automatically carry over up to $550 of unspent funds into another health care or limited expense account for the subsequent year. To be eligible for carryover, you must be employed by an agency that participates in FSAFEDS and actively making allotments from your pay through December 31.  You must also actively reenroll in a health care or limited expense account during the NEXT Open Season to be carryover eligible. Your reenrollment must be for at least the minimum of $100.  If you do not reenroll, or if you are not employed by an agency that participates in FSAFEDS and actively making allotments from your pay through December 31st, your funds will not be carried over.

Because of the tax benefits an FSA provides, the IRS requires that you forfeit any money for which you did not incur an eligible expense and file a claim in the time period permitted. This is known as the “Use-it-or-Lose-it” rule. Carefully consider the amount you will elect. 

For a health care or limited expense account, each participant must contribute a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $2,750.

Current FSAFEDS participants must re-enroll to participate next year.  See www.fsafeds.com or call 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337) or TTY: 1-866-353-8058.  Note: FSAFEDS is not open to retired employees, or to TRICARE eligible individuals.

If you enroll or are enrolled in a high deductible health plan with a health savings account (HSA) or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), you can use your HSA or HRA to pay for qualified dental/vision costs not covered by your FEHB and FEDVIP plans.

Using your FSA pre-tax dollars for your eyecare and eyewear needs is a great way to get more out of your benefit dollar.

Using your FSAFEDS account for your eyecare and eyewear expenses is simple:

• Visit your provider for your routine eye examination and eyewear

• Pay any out-of-pocket expenses

• Submit your expenses for reimbursement.

When you enroll for the first time, you will receive a welcome letter along with an identification card ("ID Card"). It is important to bring your FEDVIP and FEHB ID card to every vision appointment because most FEHB plans offer some level of vision benefits separate from your FEDVIP coverage. Presenting both ID cards can ensure that you receive the maximum allowable benefit under each Program. If you require a replacement ID card, you will be able to view and print your ID card via MyBenefits after entering MetLife.com/FEDVIP-Vision.  An ID card is neither a guarantee of benefits nor does your provider need it to render vision services. Your provider may call (800) 615-1883 to confirm your enrollment in the Plan and the benefits available to you.

You can obtain care from any licensed vision provider. However, you will get the most out of your benefits when you see a MetLife Vision in-network provider. 

We list our In-Network Plan providers on our website at: MetLife.com/FEDVIP-Vision. When you make your appointment please inform the provider's office you are enrolled in the FEDVIP MetLife Vision Program and that you wish to use your In-Network benefits. This will also serve to confirm that the provider is a MetLife network provider. Your provider may contact customer service at (800) 615-1883.

Care that you receive from a MetLife Vision provider is considered In-Network. MetLife’s network consists of independently credentialed and contracted providers. To find a MetLife Vision provider in your area go to: MetLife.com/FEDVIP-Vision. You may also contact customer service at (888) 865-6854.

Care that you receive from a licensed provider that does not participate in the MetLife Vision Plan is considered Out-of-Network. To find an In-Network MetLife Vision provider in your area go to: MetLife.com/FEDVIP-Vision. You may also contact customer service at (888) 865-6854

If you have vision coverage through your FEHB plan and coverage under FEDVIP, your FEHB plan will be the first payor of any benefit payments.  When services are rendered by a provider, who participates with both your FEHB and your FEDVIP plan, the FEDVIP plan allowance will be the prevailing charge in these cases. We are responsible for facilitating the process with the primary FEHB payor. You are responsible for the difference between the FEHB and FEDVIP benefit payments and the FEDVIP plan allowance. 

IF: You have vision coverage through a non-FEHB plan and MetLife Vision coverage under FEDVIP (covered through a spouse)
THEN: MetLife Vision is the primary payor and your non-FEHB plan is secondary.
IF: If your covered dependent child has coverage through a non-FEHB plan and MetLife Vision coverage under FEDVIP.
THEN: The parent's plan whose birthday occurs first in the calendar year is primary. If birthday's are the same (disregarding the year) for both parents, the primary payor is the plan that has provided coverage the longest.

If you live in an area that does not have adequate access to a MetLife Vision network provider and you receive covered services from an Out-of-Network provider, MetLife will reimburse you up to the plan allowance. You are responsible for any difference between the amount billed and MetLife's payment. Follow Out-of-Network claim submission instructions. The determination of limited access is based on a ratio of Federal eligibles to MetLife Vision providers as well as the distance to MetLife Vision providers within the participants USPS ZIP code. MetLife reviews the limited access areas quarterly to ensure you have adequate access to our in-network vision providers. 

Plan Allowance: The maximum benefit payment for services provided in areas not meeting the access standards are shown in the chart below. You are responsible for charges billed over the amounts shown.

Eye Exam: up to $65
Lens: Single Vision: Up to $55
Lens: Lined bifocal: Up to $75
Lens: Lined trifocal: Up to $95
Lens: Lenticular: Up to $125
Frames: Up to $120
Contact Lenses: Elective: Up to $105
Contact Lenses: Necessary: Up to $210

Pre-authorization is only required for payment of Low Vision benefits. See section 5 for further details regarding Low Vision coverage.

A co-pay is a fixed amount of money you pay to the provider when you receive services.

For Example: Both the High and Standard options do not have a co-pay for routine eye examinations. However, the Standard option has a $20 materials co-pay and the High option does not have a materials co-pay. A materials co-pay is a single payment that applies to the purchase of standard eyeglasses (lenses and/or frames). There may be co-pays for optional lens treatments or non-standard services. Please refer to Section 5 of this brochure for additional detail.

Both the Standard and High options allow one routine examination every calendar year; one pair of eyeglass lenses every calendar year; one eyeglass frame every calendar year. A contact lens benefit is available every calendar year in place of eyeglasses

You maximize your benefits when you visit a MetLife Vision in-network doctor. Your eye exam and prescription glasses or contacts are covered after any co-payments. You can also receive 20% savings on any out-of-pocket costs over your frame allowance and an average 20% - 25% savings on other lens enhancements. (Based on applicable laws. Benefits may vary by doctor locations. See your doctor for pricing.) There are also no claim forms to submit when you see an In-Network doctor. 

MetLife will partially reimburse services performed by out-of-network providers. Refer to the Summary of Benefits section. You must pay the bill at the time of service and submit the claim to MetLife for partial reimbursement.

When you visit an out-of-network provider, you will be reimbursed according to the following schedule: 

Eye Exam: up to $45
Lens: Single Vision: Up to $45
Lens: Lined bifocal: Up to $65
Lens: Lined trifocal: Up to $85
Lens: Lenticular: Up to $125
Frames: Up to $55 in the standard option or up to $70 in the high option
Contact Lenses: Elective: Up to $105
Contact Lenses: Necessary: Up to $210

Eye Exam: up to $65
Lens: Single Vision: Up to $55
Lens: Lined bifocal: Up to $75
Lens: Lined trifocal: Up to $95
Lens: Lenticular: Up to $125
Frames: Up to $120
Contact Lenses: Elective: Up to $105
Contact Lenses: Necessary: Up to $210

Visit the licensed international vision provider of your choice.  You will need to submit a claim for reimbursement.

 

The plan participant will be responsible for paying the vision provider and submitting the claims to MetLife for reimbursement at the following address.

Mail completed claim form to:

MetLife Vision
PO Box 385018
Birmingham, AL 35238-5018  

To avoid delay in the payment of your claims please have your provider submit your claims directly to MetLife for payment.

MetLife’s network vision providers may submit their claims directly to MetLife by accessing Metvision.com where we provide them with real-time results.  However, should you wish to send in a paper claim you may download a claim form from the website MetLife.com/FEDVIP-Vision

Mail completed claim form to:

MetLife VISION Claims
PO Box 385018
Birmingham, AL 35238-5018

When a claimant files a claim for vision insurance benefits described in this brochure, both the notice of claim and the required proof should be sent to us within 90 days of the date of a loss.  If notice of claim or proof is not given within the time limits described in this section, the delay will not cause a claim to be denied or reduced if such notice and proof are given as soon as is reasonably possible.

Certain claim and network administration services are provided through Vision Service Plan, Rancho Cordova, CA (VSP). VSP is not affiliated with MetLife or its affiliates.

You must submit your claim to us within 6 months following the delivery of the services in order for them to be considered for Plan benefits.

Follow this disputed claims process if you disagree with our decision on your claim or request for services.  FEDVIP legislation does not provide a role for OPM to review disputed claims.

Step 1:

Ask us in writing to reconsider our initial decision.  You must include any pertinent information omitted from the initial claim filing and mail your additional proof to us within 180 days from the date of receipt of our decision.

Step 2:

Send your request for reconsideration to:

MetLife Vision Claims Appeals

PO Box 385018

Birmingham, AL 35238-5018

We will review your request and provide you with a written or electronic explanation of benefit determination within 30 days of the receipt of your request.

Step 3:

If you disagree with the decision regarding your request for reconsideration, you may request a second review of the denial.  You must submit your request to us in writing to the address shown above along with any additional information you or your doctor can provide to substantiate your claim so that we can reconsider our decision. Failure to do so will disqualify the appeal of your claim.

A request for a second level appeal must be submitted to Us within sixty (60) calendar days after receipt of Our response to the initial appeal.   We shall communicate our final determination to the covered person within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of the request, or as required by any applicable state or federal laws or regulations. Our communication to the covered person shall include the specific reasons for the determination.

 
Step 4:

When a covered person has completed the appeals stated herein, additional voluntary alternative dispute resolution options may be available, including mediation or arbitration. 

The Federal employee, annuitant, or TRICARE-eligible individual enrolled in this plan.

The maximum benefit payment for services received. Please refer to Section 4, Your Cost for Covered Services, for the maximum benefit payment for services received in limited access areas or out-of-network and Section 6, International Services and Supplies, for services received outside the United States or Puerto Rico.

This is the procedure used by the plan to pre-approve services and the amount that the plan will cover.

Generally, a sponsor means the individual who is eligible for medical or dental benefits under 10 U.S.C. chapter 55 based on his or her direct affiliation with the uniformed services (including military members of the National Guard and Reserves).

Under circumstances where a sponsor is not an enrollee, a TEI family member may accept responsibility to self-certify as an enrollee and enroll TEI family members

TEI family members include a sponsor’s spouse, unremarried widow, unremarried widower, unmarried child, and certain unmarried persons placed in a sponsor’s legal custody by a court. Children include legally adopted children, stepchildren, and pre- adoptive children. Children and dependent unmarried persons must be under age 21 if they are not a student, under age 23 if they are a full-time student, or incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical incapacity.

The MetLife Federal Vision Plan