Editor’s Note: This article by MOAA staff is part of MOAA’s 2025-26 TRICARE Guide, brought to you by MOAA Insurance Plans, administered by Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA). A version of the guide appeared in the November 2025 issue of Military Officer magazine. 

Dental and vision plans under the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) will see average monthly premium increases of 3.3% (dental) and 0.5% (vision) for 2026, according to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

OPM posted the 2026 FEDVIP pricing Oct. 9 and will update the BENEFEDS plan comparison tool in time for the upcoming FEDVIP Open Season (Nov. 10-Dec. 8). OPM manages the health, dental, and vision insurance programs for federal civilian employees; military retirees and their beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE have been eligible to utilize FEDVIP programs since 2019.   

FEDVIP features 11 dental plan providers (HealthPartners Dental was dropped for 2026) and five vision plan providers. All but one dental provider offers both “standard” and “high” plan options – Triple-S Salud only offers a high plan.

[AT OPM.GOV: Download 2026 FEDVIP Plan Premiums]

Standard plans have lower monthly premiums (about half of the high option) but higher copays. The general rule is that if you/your family have good oral health, then a standard plan is probably best. If you/your family have poor oral health or still have orthodonture needs, then a high plan is probably best.

Dental plan premium rates are locality-based (by ZIP code). The major difference between standard and high vision plans is the yearly frame/lens allowance.

Comparing Plans

The BENEFEDS plan comparison tool soon will have both 2025 and 2026 FEDVIP pricing available. Changes to your dental and vision coverage made during the open season take effect Jan. 1, 2026.  

MOAA strongly recommends comparing next year’s pricing to this year’s premium when deciding whether you are satisfied with your dental and/or vision plan. If you take no action during Open Season, you will be automatically “rolled over” to the same plan with new pricing next year.     

Premium increases in 2026 for select “self plus one” dental plans (for more information about dental rating areas, download the rating area spreadsheet at the OPM website):

• Aetna Dental (Area 2): 1.8% high plan increase, 5.4% standard plan increase.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental (Area 3): 2.9% high and standard plan increase.
• Delta Dental (Area 5): 0.6% high plan increase, 3.9% standard plan increase.
• Dominion National (Area 2): 9.6% high and standard plan increase.
• GEHA (Area 4): 5.9% high plan increase, 6.7% standard plan increase.
• Humana Dental Advantage (Area 3): 3.0% high plan increase, 6.7% standard plan increase.
• MetLife (Area 4): 0.9% high plan increase, 1.9% standard plan increase.
• United Concordia Dental (Area 4): 4.2% high plan increase, 7.7% standard plan increase.
• UnitedHealthcare Dental (Area 3): 7.9% high plan increase, 11.0% standard plan increase.

Premium increases in 2026 for self plus one vision plans (all locations):

• Aetna Vision Preferred: No change.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision: No change.
• The MetLife Federal Vision Plan: 8.0% high plan increase, 10% standard plan increase.
• UnitedHealthcare Vision Plan: 1.4% high plan increase, 3.1% standard plan increase.
• VSP Vision Care: No change.

[MORE FEDVIP INFORMATION: BENEFEDS.gov | OPM]

Individual plan increases are important to monitor each year but remain relative to the specific plan. Self plus one monthly dental standard premiums in the National Capitol Region (NCR) range from $32.33 (Dominion) to $66.76 (UnitedHealthcare), and high premiums from $47.28 (Dominion) to $118.30 (Delta). Standard monthly vision plans range from $13.72 to $16.21 in all locations; high plans range from $23.94 to $29.16.

The most important FEDVIP issue most likely remains which plan(s) your dentist and/or optometrist will accept.