You can select from several nationwide, and in some areas, regional dental Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, and high and standard coverage options. You can also select from several nationwide vision plans. You may enroll in a dental plan or a vision plan, or both. Some TRICARE beneficiaries may not be eligible to enroll in both. Visit www.opm.gov/dental or www.opm.gov/vision for more information.

You enroll online at www.BENEFEDS.com. Please see Section 2, Enrollment, for more information.

If you sign up for a dental and/or vision plan during the 2021 Open Season, your coverage will begin on January 1, 2022. Premium deductions will start with the first full pay period beginning on/after January 1, 2022. You may use your benefits as soon as your enrollment is confirmed.

Employees automatically pay premiums through payroll deductions using pre-tax dollars. Annuitants automatically pay premiums through annuity deductions using post-tax dollars. TRICARE enrollees automatically pay premiums through payroll deduction or automatic bank withdrawal (ABW) using post-tax dollars.

Each year, an Open Season will be held, during which you may enroll or change your dental and/or vision plan enrollment. This year, Open Season runs from November 8, 2021 through midnight EST December 13, 2021. You do not need to re-enroll each Open Season unless you wish to change plans or plan options; your coverage will continue from the previous year. In addition to the annual Open Season, there are certain events that allow you to make specific types of enrollment changes throughout the year. Please see Section 2, Enrollment for more information.

Your enrollment or your eligibility to enroll may continue after retirement. You do not need to be enrolled in FEDVIP for any length of time to continue enrollment into retirement. Your family members may also be able to continue enrollment after your death. Please see Section 1, Eligibility, for more information.

You are eligible to enroll if you:

• retired on an immediate annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or another retirement system for employees of the Federal Government;
• retired for disability under CSRS, FERS, or another retirement system for employees of the Federal Government.

Your FEDVIP enrollment will continue into retirement if you retire on an immediate annuity or for disability under CSRS, FERS or another retirement system for employees of the Government, regardless of the length of time you had FEDVIP coverage as an employee.  There is no requirement to have coverage for 5 years of service prior to retirement in order to continue coverage into retirement, as there is with the FEHB Program.

Your FEDVIP coverage will end if you retire on a Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) + 10 retirement and postpone receipt of your annuity.  You may enroll in FEDVIP again when you begin to receive your annuity.

An individual who is eligible for FEDVIP dental coverage based on the individual's eligibility to previously be covered under the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program or an individual eligible for FEDVIP vision coverage based on the individual's enrollment in a specified TRICARE health plan. Retired members of the uniformed services and National Guard/Reserve components, including “gray-area” retirees under age 60 and their families are eligible for FEDVIP dental coverage.  These individuals, if enrolled in a TRICARE health plan, are also eligible for FEDVIP vision coverage.  In addition, uniformed services active duty family members who are enrolled in a TRICARE health plan are eligible for FEDVIP vision coverage.

Except with respect to TRICARE-eligible individuals, family members include your spouse and unmarried dependent children under age 22.  This includes legally adopted children and recognized natural children who meet certain dependency requirements.  This also includes stepchildren and foster children who live with you in a regular parent-child relationship.  Under certain circumstances, you may also continue coverage for a disabled child 22 years of age or older who is incapable of self-support.  FEDVIP rules and FEHB rules for family member eligibility are NOT the same.  For more information on family member eligibility visit the website at www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/dental-vision/ or contact your employing agency or retirement system.

With respect to TRICARE-eligible individuals, family members include your spouse, unremarried widow, unremarried widower, unmarried child, an unremarried former spouse who meets the U.S Department of Defense's 20-20-20 or 20-20-15 eligibility requirements, and certain unmarried persons placed in your legal custody by a court.  

Children include legally adopted children, stepchildren, and pre-adoptive children.  Children and dependent unmarried persons must be under age 21 if they are not a student, under age 23 if they are a full-time student, or incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical incapacity. 

The following persons are not eligible to enroll in FEDVIP, regardless of FEHB eligibility or receipt of an annuity or portion of an annuity:

• Deferred annuitants
• Former spouses of employees or annuitants.  Note:  Former spouses of TRICARE-eligible individuals may enroll in a FEDVIP vision plan.
• FEHB Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) enrollees
• Anyone receiving an insurable interest annuity who is not also an eligible family member
• Active duty uniformed service members.  Note:  If you are an active duty uniformed service member, your dental and vision coverage will be provided by TRICARE.  Your family members will still be eligible to enroll in the TRICARE Dental Plan (TDP). 

You must use BENEFEDS to enroll or change enrollment in a FEDVIP plan.  BENEFEDS is a secure enrollment website (www.BENEFEDS.com) sponsored by OPM.  If you do not have access to a computer, call 1-877-888-FEDS (1-877-888-3337), TTY number 1-877-889-5680 to enroll or change your enrollment.

If you are currently enrolled in FEDVIP and do not want to change plans your enrollment will continue automatically.  Please Note:  your plans’ premiums may change for 2022.

Note: You cannot enroll or change enrollment in a FEDVIP plan using the Health Benefits Election Form (SF 2809) or through an agency self-service system, such as Employee Express, PostalEase, EBIS, MyPay, or Employee Personal Page.  However, those sites may provide a link to BENEFEDS.

Self Only: A Self Only enrollment covers only you as the enrolled employee or annuitant.  You may choose a Self Only enrollment even though you have a family; however, your family members will not be covered under FEDVIP.

Self Plus One: A Self Plus One enrollment covers you as the enrolled employee or annuitant plus one eligible family member whom you specify.  You may choose a Self Plus One enrollment even though you have additional eligible family members, but the additional family members will not be covered under FEDVIP. 

Self and Family: A Self and Family enrollment covers you as the enrolled employee or annuitant and all of your eligible family members.  You must list all eligible family members when enrolling.

If you or one of your family members is enrolled in or covered by one FEDVIP plan, that person cannot be enrolled in or covered as a family member by another FEDVIP plan offering the same type of coverage; i.e., you (or covered family members) cannot be covered by two FEDVIP dental plans or two FEDVIP vision plans.

Open Season

If you are an eligible employee, annuitant, or TRICARE-eligible individual, you may enroll in a dental and/or vision plan during the November 8, 2021 through midnight EST December 13, 2021, Open Season.  Coverage is effective January 1, 2022.

During future annual Open Seasons, you may enroll in a plan, or change or cancel your dental and/or vision coverage.  The effective date of these Open Season enrollments and changes will be set by OPM. If you want to continue your current enrollment, do nothing.  Your enrollment carries over from year to year, unless you change it.

New hire/Newly eligible

You may enroll within 60 days after you become eligible as:

• a new employee;
• a previously ineligible employee who transferred to a covered position;
• a survivor annuitant if not already covered under FEDVIP; or
• an employee returning to service following a break in service of at least 31 days.
• a TRICARE-eligible individual

Your enrollment will be effective the first day of the pay period following the one in which BENEFEDS receives and confirms your enrollment.

Qualifying Life Event

A qualifying life event (QLE) is an event that allows you to enroll, or if you are already enrolled, allows you to change your enrollment outside of an Open Season. 

The following chart lists the QLEs and the enrollment actions you may take.

Qualifying Life Event: Marriage
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: Yes
Increase Enrollment Type: Yes
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: Yes

Qualifying Life Event: Acquiring an eligible family member (non-spouse)
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: No
Increase Enrollment Type: Yes
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: No

Qualifying Life Event: Losing a covered family member
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: No
Increase Enrollment Type: No
Decrease Enrollment Type: Yes
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: No

Qualifying Life Event: Losing other dental/vision coverage (eligible or covered person)
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: Yes
Increase Enrollment Type: Yes
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: No

Qualifying Life Event: Moving out of regional plan's service area
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: No
Increase Enrollment Type: No
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: Yes

Qualifying Life Event: Going on active military duty, non- pay status (enrollee or spouse)
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: No
Increase Enrollment Type: No
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: Yes
Change from One Plan to Another: No

Qualifying Life Event: Returning to pay status from active military duty (enrollee or spouse)
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: Yes
Increase Enrollment Type: No
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: No

Qualifying Life Event: Returning to pay status from Leave without pay
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: Yes (if enrollment cancelled during LWOP)
Increase Enrollment Type: No
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: Yes (if enrollment cancelled during LWOP)

Qualifying Life Event: Annuity/ compensation restored
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: Yes
Increase Enrollment Type: No
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: No
Change from One Plan to Another: No

Qualifying Life Event: Transferring to an eligible position*
From Not Enrolled to Enrolled: No
Increase Enrollment Type: No
Decrease Enrollment Type: No
Cancel: Yes
Change from One Plan to Another: No

*Position must be in a Federal agency that provides dental and/or vision coverage with 50 percent or more employer-paid premium and you elect to enroll.

The timeframe for requesting a QLE change is from 31 days before to 60 days after the event. There are two exceptions:

• There is no time limit for a change based on moving from a regional plan’s service area; and
• You cannot request a new enrollment based on a QLE before the QLE occurs, except for enrollment because of a loss of dental or vision insurance.  You must make the change no later than 60 days after the event.

Generally, enrollments and enrollment changes made based on a QLE are effective on the first day of the pay period following the one in which BENEFEDS receives the enrollment or change.  BENEFEDS will send you confirmation of your new coverage effective date.

Once you enroll in a plan, your 60-day window for that type of plan ends, even if 60 calendar days have not yet elapsed.  That means once you have enrolled in either plan, you cannot change or cancel that particular enrollment until the next Open Season, unless you experience a QLE that allows such a change or cancellation.

Cancelling an enrollment

You may cancel your enrollment only during the annual Open Season.  An eligible family member’s coverage also ends upon the effective date of the cancellation.

Your cancellation is effective at the end of the day before the date OPM sets as the Open Season effective date.

Coverage ends for active and retired Federal, U.S. Postal employees, and TRICARE-eligible individuals when you:

• no longer meet the definition of an eligible employee, annuitant, or TRICARE-eligible individual;
• as a Retired Reservist you begin active duty;
• as sponsor or primary enrollee leaves active duty
• begin a period of non-pay status or pay that is insufficient to have your FEDVIP premiums withheld and you do not make direct premium payments to BENEFEDS;
• are making direct premium payments to BENEFEDS and you stop making the payments;
• cancel the enrollment during Open Season;
• a Retired Reservist begins active duty; or
• the sponsor or primary enrollee leaves active duty.

Coverage for a family member ends when:

• you as the enrollee lose coverage; or
• the family member no longer meets the definition of an eligible family member.

Under FEDVIP, there is no 31-day extension of coverage.  The following are also NOT available under FEDVIP plans:

• Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC);
• spouse equity coverage; or
• right to convert to an individual policy (conversion policy).

If you are planning to enroll in an FSAFEDS Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) or Limited Expense Health Care Flexible Spending Account (LEX HCFSA), you should consider how coverage under a FEDVIP plan will affect your annual expenses, and thus the amount that you should allot to an FSAFEDS account.  Please note that insurance premiums are not eligible expenses for either type of FSA.

If you have an HCFSA or LEX HCFSA FSAFEDS account and you haven’t exhausted your funds by December 31st of the plan year, FSAFEDS can automatically carry over up to $550 of unspent funds into another health care or limited expense account for the subsequent year. To be eligible for carryover, you must be employed by an agency that participates in FSAFEDS and actively making allotments from your pay through December 31.  You must also actively reenroll in a health care or limited expense account during the NEXT Open Season to be carryover eligible. Your reenrollment must be for at least the minimum of $100.  If you do not reenroll, or if you are not employed by an agency that participates in FSAFEDS and actively making allotments from your pay through December 31st, your funds will not be carried over.

Because of the tax benefits an FSA provides, the IRS requires that you forfeit any money for which you did not incur an eligible expense and file a claim in the time period permitted.  This is known as the “Use-it-or-Lose-it” rule.  Carefully consider the amount you will elect.  

For a health care or limited expense account, each participant must contribute a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $2,750.

Current FSAFEDS participants must re-enroll to participate next year.  See www.fsafeds.com or call 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337) or TTY: 1-866-353-8058.  Note: FSAFEDS is not open to retired employees, or to TRICARE eligible individuals.

If you enroll or are enrolled in a high deductible health plan with a health savings account (HSA) or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), you can use your HSA or HRA to pay for qualified dental/vision costs not covered by your FEHB and FEDVIP plans.

You may be required to submit your claims to the FSAFEDS Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) or Limited Expense Health Care Flexible Spending Account (LEX HCFSA) to claim reimbursement.

We will send you an identification (ID) card when you enroll.  You should carry your ID card with you at all times.  You should present your ID card whenever you receive services from an assigned plan provider.

If you do not receive your ID card within 30 days after the effective date of your enrollment or if you need replacement cards, you may request one through our website at healthpartners.com/fedvip or call us at 844-440-1900.

You can find a current list of dentists online at healthpartners.com/fedvip. You can also call us at 844-440-1900 to request that a list be mailed to you.  

A current list of participating dentists is available on our online provider search at healthpartners.com/fedvip.  

Providers who have agreed to participate in the HealthPartners dental network.

Only providers listed with their corresponding locations are in network. Not all dentists at a location may be in network and the same provider at a different location may not be in network. It is your responsibility to ensure that the listed provider is active and in network at the time and location at which you receive services. You may obtain care from any licensed dentist. If the dentist you use is not part of our network, benefits will be determined based on the out-of-network benefit level. Because these providers are out of our network, payment will be based on the lesser of the provider’s actual charge or the maximum allowed amounts established by HealthPartners for services rendered by out-of-network providers. You are responsible for the difference between our payment and the amount billed. If a member chooses to go out of network, payment will be made directly to the member.

All expenses for emergency services are payable as any other expense, subject to plan provisions. If you receive emergency services from an out-of-network dentist, benefits will be paid under the out-of-network plan provisions. You are responsible for the difference between the maximum allowed amount and the billed charge.

When you visit a provider who participates with both, your FEHB plan and your FEDVIP plan, the FEHB plan will pay benefits first.  The FEDVIP plan allowance will be the prevailing charge, in these cases.  You are responsible for the difference between the FEHB and FEDVIP benefit payments and the FEDVIP plan allowance.  We are responsible for facilitating the process with the primary FEHB first payor. You can assist with this process and also ensure that you are receiving the maximum allowable benefit under each program by presenting both your FEDVIP and FEHB ID cards at the time of your dental appointment. The dentist should include both ID numbers when submitting the claim to the plans.

It is important to bring your FEDVIP and FEHB identification cards to every dental appointment because most FEHB plans offer some level of dental benefits separate from your FEDVIP coverage. Presenting both identification cards can ensure that you receive the maximum allowable benefit under each Program.

We will coordinate benefit payments with the payment of benefits under other group health benefits coverage you may have and the payment of dental costs under no-fault insurance that pays benefits without regard to fault. 

We may request that you verify/identify your health insurance plan(s) annually or at time of service.  

To enroll in this plan, you must live in our service area.  This is where our providers are located.  Our service area is: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Iowa and parts of Wisconsin.

If you move outside of our service area, you may enroll in another plan at that time.  You do not have to wait until Open Season to change plans.  Contact BENEFEDS at www.benefeds.com or call 1-877-888-FEDS (1-877-888-3337), TTY number 1-877-889-5680 to change plans.

There are no alternate benefits associated with this plan.  

The maximum amount of reimbursement we allow for a specific procedure. When you use an in-network provider, the provider cannot bill you for the difference between the Maximum Allowed Amount and the billed charge. When you use an out-of-network provider, you are responsible for the difference between the Maximum Allowed Amount and the billed charge in addition to applicable coinsurance and deductible amounts.

If a course of treatment is expected to involve charges for dental services in certain categories of care such as Periodontics, Endodontics, Special Services, Prosthetic Services or Orthodontics of $300 or more, it is recommended that a description of the procedures to be performed, an estimate of the dentist's charges and an appropriate x-ray pertaining to the treatment, be filed by the dentist with us in writing, prior to the course of treatment.

A “course of treatment” means a planned program of one or more services or supplies, whether rendered by one or more dentists, for treatment of a dental condition, diagnosed by the attending dentist as a result of an oral examination. The course of treatment commences on the date a dentist first renders a service to correct, or treat, such diagnosed dental condition.

When a precertification for a service is requested from us, an initial determination must be made within 10 business days, so long as all information reasonably needed to make the decision has been provided.

When a precertification for an urgent service is requested from us, an initial determination must be made within 72 hours, so long as all information reasonably needed to make a decision has been provided. In the event that the claimant has not provided all information necessary to make a decision, the claimant will be notified of such failure within 24 hours. The claimant will then be given 48 hours to provide the requested information. The claimant will be notified of the benefit determination within 48 hours after the earlier of our receipt of the complete information or the end of the time granted to the claimant to provide the specified additional information.

If the precertification is made to approve the service, we will notify your dental care provider by telephone, and may send written verification.

If the initial determination is made not to approve the service, we will notify your dental care provider, if appropriate, by telephone within one working day of the determination, and we will send written verification with details of the denial.

If you want to request an expedited review, or have received a denial of a precertification and want to appeal that decision, you have a right to do so. If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction in the internal complaint and appeal process, you may request an external review under certain circumstances. Refer to section 8 “Claims Filing and Disputed Claims Processes” for a description of how to proceed.

Call Member Services for more information on precertification of benefits.

We will notify the dentist of the precertification, based on the course of treatment. In determining the amount we pay, consideration is given to alternate procedures, services, supplies, or courses of treatment that may be performed for such dental condition. The amount we pay as authorized dental charges is the appropriate amount determined in accordance with the terms of this Contract.

If a description of the procedures to be performed, and an estimate of the dentist's charges are not submitted in advance, we reserve the right to make a determination of benefits payable, taking into account alternate procedures, services, supplies or courses of treatment, based on accepted standards of dental practice.

Precertification for services to be performed is limited to services performed within 90 days from the date such course of treatment was approved by us. Additional services required after 90 days may be submitted in writing, as a new course of treatment, and approved on the same basis as the prior plan.

A deductible is a fixed expense you must incur for certain out-of-network covered services
and supplies before we start paying benefits for them. 
Example: In our High Option plan, the out-of-network calendar year deductible for an individual is $50

Coinsurance is the percentage of our allowance that you must pay for your care.
Example: In our Standard Option plan, you pay 20% for in-network minor restorative services.

The maximum annual benefit that you can receive per enrollee.

There is no annual benefit maximum on the High Option plan for non-orthodontic in-network services, the annual benefit maximum for non-orthodontic out-of-network services is $3,000 per enrollee.

The Standard Option annual benefit maximum for non-orthodontic in-network services is $2,000 per enrollee, and $1,000 per enrollee for out-of-network services. In no instance will the Standard Option allow more than $2,000 per enrollee in combined benefits in any calendar year.

Both the Standard Option plan and the High Option plan include a lifetime benefit maximum limit for orthodontic care.

The High Option lifetime benefit maximum for orthodontic care is $3,500 per enrollee in-network and $2,000 per enrollee out-of-network. The lifetime benefit maximum for orthodontic care is combined for in-network and out-of-network services.

The Standard Option lifetime benefit maximum for orthodontic care is $2,000 per enrollee in-network and $1,000 per enrollee out-of-network. The lifetime benefit maximum for orthodontic care is combined for in-network and out-of-network services.

The coinsurance amounts listed in the benefit schedule represent your total cost for in-network services subject to any plan maximums or limitations.

The coinsurance amounts listed in Section 5, along with any deductible and billed amounts that exceed the maximum allowed fee (plan allowance), represent your cost for out-of-network services.

An emergency is treatment due to injury, accident or severe pain requiring the services of a dentist which occurs under circumstances where it is neither medically or physically possible for you to be treated by a plan provider.  

The amount we use to determine our payment for out-of-network services.

In-progress treatment for dependents of retiring active duty service members who were enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) will be covered for the 2022 plan year; regardless of any current plan exclusion for care initiated prior to the enrollee's effective date.

This requirement includes assumption of payments for covered orthodontia services up to the FEDVIP policy limits, and full payment where applicable up to the terms of FEDVIP policy for covered services completed (but not initiated) in the 2022 plan year such as crowns and implants.

This is not a requirement for carriers to provide in-progress coverage for orthodontia in a plan where an enrollee must meet a waiting period.

FEDVIP carriers will not cover in-progress treatment if you enroll in a FEDVIP plan that has a waiting period, or does not cover the service. Several FEDVIP dental plans have options that offer orthodontia coverage without a 12-month waiting period, and without age limits. 

This plan provides a benefit for international emergency services when services are received from a licensed dentist.  The HealthPartners Dental Network does not extend outside of the United States.  You have the right to choose any licensed dental practitioner; you do not need to contact HealthPartners first.

Note: Because international claims do not have the consideration of stateside cost containment, members must be cautious to guard against inappropriate/excessive services.

The following should be provided when submitting a claim for International emergency services:

• Name of country where services were received
• American Dental Association procedure codes
• Translation of language to English
• Translation into US currency or accurate day rate
• Tooth number(s) and/or quadrants
• Date(s) of service
• Dentist name

Our plan website is healthpartners.com/fedvip.  You may also contact us by phone at 844-440-1900.

To avoid delay in the payment of your dental claims, please have your dental provider submit your claims directly to your FEHB plan (Should you be enrolled), then to HealthPartners. Pretreatment estimates can be submitted directly to HealthPartners (exception: If accidental injury occurs, pretreatment estimates should be submitted to your FEHB plan). If you need to send in a paper claim you may download a claim form from healthpartners.com/fedvip. Mail completed claim form to:

HealthPartners Claims
P.O. Box 1289
Minneapolis, MN 55440-1289

For emergency and international claims, you have 90 days from the date of service to file your claim.

Disputed Claim Steps

Complaints:

A complainant may submit a complaint to the Member Services Department either in writing or orally. A written complaint will be considered a first level appeal under the appeal process described below. The Member Services Department will make every effort to resolve the complaint. The Member Services Department will investigate the complaint and provide for informal discussions. If the oral complaint is not resolved to the complainant’s satisfaction within 10 calendar days of receipt of the complaint, we will provide an appeal form to the complainant, which must be completed and returned to the Member Services Department for further consideration. We will offer to assist the complainant in completing this form. We will also offer to complete the form and mail it to the complainant for a signature.

Appeals Process:

A complainant can seek further review of a complaint not resolved through the complaint process described above. The steps in this appeal process are outlined below.

First Level Appeal. You or your authorized representative must file your appeal within 180 days of the denial. Send your written request for review, including comments, documents, records and other information relating to the appeal, the reasons you believe you are entitled to benefits, and any supporting documents to:

HealthPartners
Member Services Department
8170 33rd Avenue South
P.O. Box 1309
Minneapolis, MN 55440-1309
Telephone: 844-440-1900

We will notify the complainant within 10 business days that we received the appeal, unless the appeal has been resolved to the complainant’s satisfaction within those 10 business days.

Upon request and at no charge to you, you will be given reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to your appeal.

We will review your appeal and will notify you of our decision in accordance with the following timelines:

A decision on your appeal will be made within 30 calendar days.

This time period may be extended if you agree.

All notification described above will comply with applicable law.

Second Level Appeal. If you file a first level appeal and it is denied, wholly or in part, you have the right to request external review of our decision without filing a second level appeal. See below for a description of this process. If your appeal does not involve a determination of dental necessity, at your option, you or your authorized representative may, within 180 days of the denial, submit a written request for a second level appeal, including any relevant documents, and submit issues, comments and additional information as appropriate to:

HealthPartners
Member Services Department
8170 33rd Avenue South
P.O. Box 1309
Minneapolis, MN 55440-1309
Telephone: 844-440-1900

The Member Services Department will provide the complainant with the option of either a written reconsideration, or a hearing before the Member Appeals Committee either in person or over the telephone. Hearings and written reconsiderations shall include the receipt of testimony, correspondence, explanations, or other information from the complainant, staff persons, administrators, providers, or other persons, as is deemed necessary for a fair appraisal and resolution of the appeal. During your appeal, upon your request we will provide you, free of charge, reasonable access to all documents, records and other information relevant to your appeal.

We will review the appeal and written notice of the decision and all key findings will be given to the complainant within 30 calendar days of the Member Services Department’s receipt of the complainant’s written notice of appeal.

These time periods may be extended if you agree.

Independent third party review. If you do not agree with our final decision, you may request an independent third party, mutually agreed upon by us and OPM, review the decision. The decision of the independent third party is binding and is the final review of your claim. To request a third-party review, you must submit a written request to our Service Center

Follow this disputed claims process, if you disagree with our decision on your claim or request for services.  The FEDVIP law does not provide for OPM to review disputed claims.

The maximum annual benefit that you can receive per enrollee.

There is no annual benefit maximum on the High Option plan for non-orthodontic in-network services, the annual benefit maximum for non-orthodontic out-of-network services is $3,000 per enrollee.

The Standard Option annual benefit maximum for non-orthodontic in-network services is $2,000 per enrollee, and $1,000 per enrollee for out-of-network services. In no instance will the Standard Option allow more than $2,000 per enrollee in combined benefits in any calendar year.

Basic services, which include oral examinations, dental cleanings (prophylaxis), diagnostic evaluations, sealants and x-rays.

This is an enrollee, applicant, or former enrollee, or anyone acting on behalf of an enrollee, applicant or former enrollee, who submits a complaint.

This is any grievance by a complainant, against us which has been submitted by a complainant and which is not under litigation. Examples of complaints are the scope of coverage for dental care services; eligibility issues; denials, cancellations, or nonrenewals of coverage; administrative operations; and the quality, timeliness, and appropriateness of dental care services provided. If the complaint is from an applicant, the complaint must relate to the application. If the complaint is from a former enrollee, the complaint must relate to services received during the time the individual was an enrollee.

The Federal employee, annuitant, or TRICARE-eligible individual enrolled in this plan.

The standards set by the American Dental Association or which are customarily used for dental care. HealthPartners reserves the right to determine the level of necessary treatment.

Dental services that initiated in 2021 that will be completed in 2022.

The exclusion of any service or supply rendered to replace a tooth lost prior to the effective date of coverage.  When the procedure/appliance is to replace only the tooth lost prior to the member’s effective date, the procedure/appliance is not covered out-of-network.  When the missing tooth is repaired in conjunction with other extractions after the effective date, the procedure/appliance is covered.

Generally, a sponsor means the individual who is eligible for medical or dental benefits under 10 U.S.C. chapter 55 based on his or her direct affiliation with the uniformed services (including military members of the National Guard and Reserves).

Under circumstances where a sponsor is not an enrollee, a TEI family member may accept responsibility to self-certify as an enrollee and enroll TEI family members

TEI family members include a sponsor’s spouse, unremarried widow, unremarried widower, unmarried child, and certain unmarried persons placed in a sponsor’s legal custody by a court. Children include legally adopted children, stepchildren, and pre- adoptive children. Children and dependent unmarried persons must be under age 21 if they are not a student, under age 23 if they are a full-time student, or incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical incapacity.

HealthPartners

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0%

40%

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40%

30%

40%

50%

60%

50%

60%

Unlimited

$3,000 combined in- and out-of-network

50%

Up to $3,500 Lifetime Maximum

50%

Up to $2,000 Lifetime Maximum

0%

0%

20%

60%

45%

60%

45%

60%

50%

60%

50%

60%

$2,000

$1,000

50%

Up to $2,000 Lifetime Maximum

50%

Up to $1,000 Lifetime Maximum