Military Retirees and Families MUST ACT SOON for New Dental and Vision Coverage

By Various News Reports

An important deadline is fast approaching for military retirees and their families. New options for dental and vision care will be available starting January 1, 2019. But the changes won’t be automatic! In order to remain covered, you will have to make decisions and take action during open enrollment that started November 12, 2018 and ENDS December 10, 2018!

The Tricare Retiree Dental Program is leaving Delta Dental and moving to a federal plan December 31, 2018.  It will be replaced by the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). Most military retirees and their families who are enrolled in Tricare will be able to enroll in the FEDVIP for dental coverage, vision or both.

There is more information on this change and enrollment here:

https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/september/tricare-retiree-dental-program-leaving-delta-dental-moving-to-federal-plan

The Association of the U.S. Army has more information for retirees here:

https://www.ausa.org/news/tricare-dropping-retiree-dental-and-vision-plans

Military.com has more information here: https://www.military.com/benefits/tricare/dental/tricare-retiree-dental-program-ending.html

The only way to enroll in the FEDVIP or change coverage, outside the enrollment period after the deadline has passed, is to have a qualifying life event like a marriage, retirement, etc.

Military.com has a primer on “Everything you need to know about this change.”

https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/2018/11/08/heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-dental-coverage-for-military-retirees/