TRICARE Retiree Dental: 2026 Guide to FEDVIP Coverage | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer TRICARE does not provide an internal dental plan for retirees. Instead, retired service members and their families are eligible to purchase dental coverage through the **Federal Employees Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield (FEDVIP)** program, managed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

## Details Prior to 2019, retirees were covered under the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP). That program has been permanently replaced by FEDVIP. Because dental is considered a separate benefit from your TRICARE medical coverage, enrollment is not automatic and requires a separate premium.

### How FEDVIP Works FEDVIP offers a choice of multiple private dental carriers (such as Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield, MetLife, and UnitedHealthcare). Because there are multiple providers, you can choose a plan based on your specific needs, such as high orthodontic coverage or lower monthly premiums.

* **Enrollment:** You can generally only enroll during the annual **Federal Benefits Open Season** (typically mid-November to mid-December) or following a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) such as retirement from active duty. * **Costs (2026):** Monthly premiums vary significantly based on your zip code and the specific plan you choose. There are usually two tiers: "Standard" and "High" options. * **Coverage Levels:** Most plans cover 100% of preventive care (cleanings, X-rays) with no deductible. Basic and Major services (fillings, crowns, bridges) usually require a coinsurance payment (e.g., you pay 20% to 50%).

### Transitioning from Active Duty When you retire, your coverage under the TRICARE Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP) ends on your last day of service. You have a **60-day window** from the date of your retirement to enroll in a FEDVIP dental plan to avoid a gap in coverage. If you miss this window, you must wait until the next Open Season.

### Overseas Coverage If you retired overseas, you are still eligible for FEDVIP. Most carriers offer an "International" or "Worldwide" component, though you may be required to pay the provider upfront and file a claim for reimbursement if the dentist is not part of a specific international network.

## Who this affects * **Retired Service Members:** Including those on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) or Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL). * **Retired National Guard and Reserve:** Once they begin receiving retired pay (typically age 60, though "hidden" retirees should check eligibility). * **Family Members:** Spouses and unmarried children (up to age 21, or 23 if a full-time student) of eligible retirees. * **Survivors:** Surviving spouses and children of deceased active duty or retired service members.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil (Dental Page):** https://www.tricare.mil/dental * **BENEFEDS (FEDVIP Enrollment Portal):** https://www.benefeds.com * **Office of Personnel Management (OPM):** https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/dental-vision/