Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program
Dental and vision benefits are available to active federal employees and retirees (including current and retired Members and staff) through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) administered by OPM. FEDVIP enrollees are not required to enroll in FEHB. Enrollees are responsible for 100% of the premiums, and employees' salary contributions are paid with pre-tax dollars. To continue or obtain FEDVIP coverage in retirement, an employee does not have to participate in FEDVIP prior to retirement.
For dental coverage, enrollees have a choice of several nationwide and regional plans covering a variety of preventive and major services, as well as orthodontics for dependents under the age of 19.<a href="
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R43194#fn25" name="ifn25" title="OPM, FastFacts for Dental Insurance ,
http://www.opm.gov/insure/fastfacts/dental.pdf .">25</a> For vision coverage, enrollees can choose from several nationwide vision plans that cover routine eye exams and glasses or contact lenses. Plans vary in the other types of services they cover, such as discounts on Lasik surgery.<a href="
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R43194#fn26" name="ifn26" title="OPM, FastFacts for Vision Insurance ,
http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/fastfacts/vision.pdf .">26</a>
Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program
Federal employees and retirees (including current and retired Members and staff) are eligible to apply for long-term care coverage through the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP), administered by OPM. Long-term care includes services and assistance for those who can no longer perform activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, due to chronic illness, injury, disability, or aging. Most health insurance plans do not include coverage for long-term care services. To apply for coverage under FLTCIP, employees must answer questions about their medical history. Some medical conditions will prevent employees from being approved for coverage. Premiums for FLTCIP may be deducted from an individual's salary or annuity, but they are not pre-tax contributions, and employees pay 100% of the premiums.