Who Qualifies for FEDVIP?
FEDVIP vision coverage is available to:
- Active-duty family members
- National Guard and reserve members and their families
- Retired service members and their eligible family members
- Tricare for Life beneficiaries
When Is FEDVIP Open Season?
Eligible members may sign up for the FEDVIP vision program only during a once-annual, monthlong open enrollment period, commonly referred to as “open season.” For 2027 coverage, the FEDVIP vision insurance open season is Nov. 9-Dec. 14, 2026.
Read More: Military Benefits Open Enrollment
FEDVIP Vision Plans
Members have their choice of several vision insurance packages with both high and low coverage (and corresponding premium rates), family coverage, coverage for one person only or coverage for two people.
Most FEDVIP plans permit one vision exam every 12 months as well as discounted or free glasses or contacts. Go to the BENEFEDS website to see what plans are available to you. You can also use the website to compare plans and make sure you purchase only the coverage you need.
If you are currently enrolled in a vision insurance plan through FEDVIP and want to keep the same coverage next year, you do not need to do anything; your coverage will continue uninterrupted. However, if you wish to enroll in a new vision insurance program, or change the one you are currently enrolled in, you must do it before the end of open enrollment, or wait another year.
Read More: Military Retiree Dental Insurance
Changing FEDVIP Plans Outside Open Season
Outside the annual open season, users can enroll in or change their vision coverage only if they experience a “qualifying life event” (QLE). These include a move or the birth of a baby, among other events. FEDVIP’s QLEs are similar to those of Tricare. QLEs include:
- Activating or deactivating for reserve and Guard service
- Deploying or mobilizing
- Being injured on active duty
- Moving/PCSing
- Getting married
- Divorcing
- Having a baby or adopting a child
- Children going to college
- Children becoming adults
- Death in the family
- Returning from leave without pay
- Retirement pay or military pay restored
Keep Up with Changes to Your Other Benefits
Want to know about changes in military benefits as they happen? Subscribe to Military.com to get the latest benefits news delivered directly straight to your inbox.
