TRICARE and FEDVIP Vision Coverage Guide (2026) | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer Most TRICARE beneficiaries (excluding active duty service members) are eligible for comprehensive vision coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). Unlike basic TRICARE eye exams, FEDVIP is a voluntary, premium-based insurance program that covers glasses, contact lenses, and advanced diagnostic screenings through private carriers.

Details

While TRICARE provides basic eye exams for some beneficiaries, it does not generally cover the cost of frames, lenses, or contact lenses for most retirees and family members. This gap is filled by **FEDVIP**, which is managed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) rather than the Defense Health Agency (DHA).

### Who Provides FEDVIP? BENEFEDS is the central portal for FEDVIP. You can choose from several national and regional private insurance carriers, including: * Aetna Vision * Blue Cross Blue Shield Vision * MetLife Vision * UnitedHealthcare Vision * VSP Vision Care

### 2026 Enrollment Rules Coverage is not automatic. To get FEDVIP vision, you must: 1. **Enroll during Open Season:** This typically occurs from the Monday of the second full work week in November through the Monday of the second full work week in December. 2. **Qualify via a Qualifying Life Event (QLE):** Outside of Open Season, you can only enroll within 60 days of a QLE (e.g., retirement, marriage, or birth of a child).

### Costs and Benefits (2026 Rates) Because FEDVIP is a commercial insurance marketplace, costs vary significantly by the plan you choose and your geographic location. * **Monthly Premiums:** Range roughly from $6 to $25 per month for an individual, depending on the carrier and whether you choose a "Standard" or "High" plan. * **Frames/Lenses Allowance:** Most "High" plans in 2026 provide a $150 to $200 allowance toward frames or contacts every 12 to 24 months. * **Copays:** Expect a $0 to $20 copay for annual vision exams.

### The ADSM Exception Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) are **not** eligible for FEDVIP vision. They receive all vision care, including hardware (military-issue glasses), through military hospitals or clinics. However, their family members (ADFMs) are eligible for FEDVIP.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Family Members:** Eligible if enrolled in a TRICARE plan. * **Retirees and their Families:** Eligible if enrolled in a TRICARE plan. * **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) Members:** Eligible for FEDVIP vision. * **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) Members:** Eligible for FEDVIP vision. * **Survivors:** Eligible for FEDVIP vision. * **Medal of Honor Recipients:** And their eligible family members.

## Sources * **BENEFEDS (Official Enrollment Portal):** [https://www.benefeds.com](https://www.benefeds.com) * **TRICARE.mil Vision Overview:** [https://www.tricare.mil/vision](https://www.tricare.mil/vision) * **OPM FEDVIP Program Information:** [https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/compare-plans/](https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/compare-plans/) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region):** [https://www.triwest.com](https://www.triwest.com)