Military Dental and Vision Benefits 2026: Complete Coverage Guide

Key Takeaways

• TRICARE medical doesn’t include comprehensive dental or vision coverage — you’ll need separate programs for most dental care and eyewear
• Active duty members receive free dental care at military dental clinics; their families can enroll in the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) for as little as $8.65/month
• Retirees and their families must use FEDVIP for dental coverage (not TDP), with 11 dental plans and 5 vision plans available
• Vision coverage through TRICARE is limited — active duty families get one free eye exam per year, but glasses and contacts typically aren’t covered
• FEDVIP vision plans are available to active duty family members and retirees enrolled in a TRICARE health plan, starting around $7-$10/month
• Enrollment timing matters — TDP allows year-round enrollment, while FEDVIP requires enrollment during Federal Benefits Open Season (November-December) or within 60 days of a qualifying life event

Table of Contents

• Understanding Military Dental and Vision Programs
• Active Duty Dental Care
• TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) for Families
• 2026 TDP Premiums and Cost-Shares
• FEDVIP Dental Insurance
• TRICARE Vision Coverage
• FEDVIP Vision Insurance
• Who Qualifies for What: Quick Reference
• TDP vs. FEDVIP: Which Program is Right for You?
• How to Enroll
• Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding Military Dental and Vision Programs

If you’re used to civilian employer health plans that bundle medical, dental, and vision together, military healthcare works differently. TRICARE provides comprehensive medical coverage, but dental and vision benefits require separate enrollment in different programs depending on your beneficiary status.

Here’s the short version of who gets what:

• Active duty service members: Free dental care at military dental treatment facilities (DTFs)
• Active duty family members: Can enroll in TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) and FEDVIP vision
• National Guard and Reserve members: May qualify for TDP (sponsors and families) plus FEDVIP vision
• Retirees and their families: Must use FEDVIP for both dental and vision coverage

The distinction matters because the programs have different costs, coverage levels, enrollment rules, and contractors. Let’s break down each option.

You can learn more about plans by reading our TRICARE Plans Compared guide.

Active Duty Dental Care

Active duty service members receive dental care primarily through military dental treatment facilities (DTFs) at no cost. Maintaining good dental health is considered essential to military readiness, so the military invests heavily in keeping service members dentally fit.

The Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP)

When military dental clinics can’t provide the care you need — or you’re stationed far from a DTF — the Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP) allows you to see civilian dentists. United Concordia administers the ADDP.

You may be eligible for ADDP if you are:

• Remotely located: You live and work more than 50 miles from a military dental clinic (CONUS) or are enrolled in TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas (OCONUS)
• Referred by your military dental clinic: Your DTF determines you need care they can’t provide

Important: Before seeing a civilian dentist through ADDP, you must obtain an Appointment Control Number (ACN) from United Concordia. Without an ACN, you may be responsible for the cost of care. You can request an ACN online at addp-ucci.com or by calling 866-984-2337 (CONUS) or 844-653-4058 (OCONUS).

Note that ADDP does not cover orthodontic services (braces). Check with your service branch’s policies for orthodontic treatment options.

TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) for Families

The TRICARE Dental Program is a voluntary, premium-based dental insurance plan available to:

• Family members of active duty service members
• Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) members and their families
• Survivors of service members

Retirees cannot enroll in TDP. If you’re retired from military service, you must use FEDVIP for dental coverage.

United Concordia Companies, Inc. administers the TDP nationwide. The program offers comprehensive dental coverage including:

• Diagnostic and preventive services (exams, cleanings, X-rays)
• Basic restorative services (fillings)
• Endodontic services (root canals)
• Periodontic services (gum treatment)
• Oral surgery
• Major restorative services (crowns, bridges, dentures)
• Implant services
• Orthodontics for eligible family members

TDP Coverage Limits

TDP has annual and lifetime maximums that limit how much the plan will pay:

• Annual maximum: $1,500 per person per contract year for non-orthodontic services (preventive care doesn’t count against this)
• Orthodontic lifetime maximum: $1,750 per person

TDP Enrollment Rules

Unlike FEDVIP, you can enroll in TDP at any time — there’s no open season requirement. However, there are some important rules:

• Sponsors and family members enroll separately and pay separate premiums
• The sponsor can only enroll in a single (sponsor-only) plan
• Family members can enroll under a single-member or family plan
• The sponsor doesn’t have to be enrolled for family members to enroll
• If you enroll by the 20th of the month, coverage starts on the 1st of the following month
• If you enroll after the 20th, coverage starts on the 1st of the second following month
• Warning: If you fail to pay monthly premiums and your coverage ends, you cannot re-enroll for 12 months

2026 TDP Premiums and Cost-Shares

TDP premiums are based on your sponsor’s military status and pay grade. The current rates are effective March 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026.

Active Duty Family Member Premiums

Active duty sponsors cannot personally enroll in TDP (they receive dental care through military clinics), but their family members can enroll:

Selected Reserve and IRR (Mobilization Category) Premiums

IRR (Non-Mobilization Category) Premiums

Survivors: Survivors of service members pay $0 for TDP coverage.

TDP Cost-Shares by Service Type

In addition to monthly premiums, you’ll pay a percentage of the cost for certain services. Your cost-share depends on your sponsor’s pay grade and whether you’re stationed CONUS or OCONUS.

*OCONUS cost-shares apply to command-sponsored beneficiaries. Selected Reserve, IRR, and their families pay CONUS cost-shares regardless of location.

TDP Orthodontic Coverage

TDP covers orthodontics for enrolled family members only — not sponsors. Coverage includes:

• Children up to age 21 (or 23 if a full-time student)
• Spouses up to age 23
• National Guard and Reserve sponsors up to age 23

The lifetime orthodontic maximum is $1,750 per person. You’ll pay 50% of the cost regardless of pay grade or location.

FEDVIP Dental Insurance

The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) provides dental and vision coverage to federal civilian employees, retirees, and — since 2019 — military retirees and their families.

FEDVIP dental is the only option for military retirees. Unlike active duty families who can use TDP, retirees must enroll in FEDVIP for dental coverage.

Who Can Enroll in FEDVIP Dental?

• Military retirees (including “gray area” reservists not yet receiving retired pay)
• Family members of military retirees
• Survivors of military members
• Medal of Honor recipients and their families

Note: Active duty service members are not eligible for FEDVIP. Active duty family members can only enroll in FEDVIP vision (not dental) — they must use TDP for dental coverage.

2026 FEDVIP Dental Plans

For 2026, FEDVIP offers 11 dental plan carriers (HealthPartners Dental was dropped from the program). Most carriers offer both “Standard” and “High” plan options:

• Aetna Dental
• Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental
• Cigna Dental
• Delta Dental
• Dominion National
• Emblem Health
• GEHA Connection Dental
• Humana
• MetLife Federal Dental Plan
• Triple-S Salud (High option only)
• UnitedHealthcare

Standard vs. High plans: Standard plans have lower monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs for procedures. High plans cost more monthly but offer better coverage for major services. If your family has good oral health and mainly needs preventive care, standard plans usually make more sense. If you anticipate crowns, bridges, orthodontics, or extensive dental work, high plans may save money overall.

FEDVIP Dental Costs for 2026

FEDVIP dental premiums increased an average of 3.3% for 2026. Premiums vary by carrier, plan option, enrollment type, and ZIP code (some plans are regional). Here are representative monthly premium ranges:

Use the OPM FEDVIP Plan Comparison Tool to see exact rates for your ZIP code.

Key FEDVIP Dental Benefits

Across most FEDVIP dental plans, you can expect:

• Preventive care at 100%: Exams, cleanings, and X-rays are fully covered with in-network providers
• No deductibles for in-network preventive care: Most plans waive deductibles for routine care
• No waiting periods: Unlike many civilian dental plans, FEDVIP plans don’t have waiting periods for major services
• Orthodontic coverage: Available for both children and adults (coverage levels vary by plan)
• Unlimited annual maximums on some High plans: Several carriers like Delta Dental, GEHA, and UnitedHealthcare offer unlimited in-network annual maximums on their High option
• Implant coverage: Most plans cover dental implants (often at 50%)

TRICARE Vision Coverage

Unlike dental care, TRICARE does provide some vision benefits — but they’re more limited than many people expect. What’s covered depends on who you are and which TRICARE plan you have.

Active Duty Service Members

ADSMs receive eye exams as needed to maintain fitness for duty. You can get glasses from your military hospital or clinic’s optometry clinic. If you’re on TRICARE Prime Remote, you can see a network optometrist without a referral.

Active Duty Family Members

Active duty family members (ADFMs) are entitled to one routine eye exam per year at no cost, regardless of TRICARE plan. You can visit any TRICARE-authorized optometrist or ophthalmologist without a referral.

For children ages 3-6, TRICARE covers well-child eye exams every two years to screen for amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (crossed eyes).

However, TRICARE does not cover glasses, contact lenses, or contact lens fittings for family members except to treat certain medical conditions like infantile glaucoma or keratoconus.

Retirees and Their Family Members

Your eye exam coverage depends on your TRICARE plan:

• TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Young Adult Prime: One routine eye exam every two years
• TRICARE Select, TRICARE Young Adult Select, or TRICARE For Life: Routine eye exams are NOT covered

All TRICARE plans cover ophthalmic services to diagnose or treat medical eye conditions. And if you have certain chronic conditions like diabetes, you can receive medically necessary eye exams.

Retiree Glasses Through NORA

Military retirees can order one pair of standard-issue spectacles each year from the Naval Ophthalmic Readiness Activity Yorktown (NORA). Visit the NORA website for ordering information.

What TRICARE Doesn’t Cover for Vision

For most beneficiaries, TRICARE does not cover:

• Routine contact lens services
• Contact lenses (except for specific medical conditions)
• Contact lens fittings
• Prescription glasses or sunglasses (except ADSMs and retirees through NORA)
• LASIK or other elective refractive surgery
• Lens adjustments, cleaning, or repairs

This is why many military families turn to FEDVIP for vision coverage.

FEDVIP Vision Insurance

FEDVIP vision plans can help cover the gaps in TRICARE vision coverage — including glasses, contacts, and discounts on LASIK.

Who Can Enroll in FEDVIP Vision?

You must be enrolled in a TRICARE health plan to be eligible for FEDVIP vision coverage. Eligible beneficiaries include:

• Active duty family members (ADFMs)
• Military retirees and their family members
• Survivors enrolled in a TRICARE plan

Note: Active duty service members themselves are not eligible for FEDVIP vision.

2026 FEDVIP Vision Plans

FEDVIP offers five vision plan carriers for 2026, all providing nationwide and international coverage:

• Aetna Vision Preferred
• Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision
• MetLife Federal Vision Plan
• UnitedHealthcare Vision Plan
• VSP Vision Care

Each carrier offers Standard and High plan options.

2026 FEDVIP Vision Premiums

FEDVIP vision premiums increased an average of just 0.5% for 2026. Monthly premiums are the same regardless of location:

What FEDVIP Vision Plans Typically Cover

• Annual eye exams: Covered in full or with a small copay ($0-$20)
• Frame allowance: $100-$200+ toward frames (varies by plan)
• Lens coverage: Single vision, bifocal, or progressive lenses covered
• Lens enhancements: Discounts on anti-reflective coating, progressive upgrades, photochromic lenses
• Contact lenses: Allowance for contacts (in lieu of glasses) or discount on fitting and materials
• LASIK discounts: 10-20% off laser vision correction at participating providers

Standard vs. High plans: The primary difference is the frame/lens allowance. High plans offer larger allowances for frames and better coverage for lens upgrades, making them worthwhile if you prefer designer frames or need progressive lenses.

Who Qualifies for What: Quick Reference

TDP vs. FEDVIP: Which Program is Right for You?

If you’re in a category that can only access one program, the choice is made for you. But understanding the differences helps you make the most of your coverage.

Key Differences Between TDP and FEDVIP Dental

When TDP Makes Sense

• You’re an active duty family member (it’s your only choice)
• You need the flexibility to enroll any time of year
• You’re a lower-enlisted family and want the lowest premiums possible
• You appreciate the simplicity of one carrier and one plan

When FEDVIP Dental Makes Sense

• You’re a military retiree (it’s your only choice)
• You want to choose from multiple carriers and plan options
• You need adult orthodontic coverage
• You want an unlimited annual maximum (available on some High plans)
• You prefer to coordinate dental coverage with the same carrier as your FEHB health plan

How to Enroll

TDP Enrollment

You can enroll in TDP any time. Choose your method:

• Online: Enroll through milConnect
• Phone: Call United Concordia at 844-653-4061 (CONUS) or 844-653-4060 (OCONUS)
• Mail: Complete the TRICARE Dental Program Enrollment/Change Authorization form and mail with your first premium payment

Tip: Set up automatic payments through payroll allotment, electronic funds transfer, or credit card to avoid a lapse in coverage.

FEDVIP Enrollment

FEDVIP enrollment is only available during:

• Federal Benefits Open Season: November 10 through December 8, 2025 for 2026 coverage
• Within 60 days of a Qualifying Life Event (QLE): Retirement, marriage, birth/adoption of a child, loss of other coverage, etc.
• Within 91 days of military retirement: You can enroll 31 days before through 60 days after your retirement date

Enroll through BENEFEDS or call 1-877-888-FEDS (3337).

Important: If you miss Open Season and don’t have a QLE, you cannot enroll until the next Open Season. Coverage changes made during Open Season take effect January 1 of the following year.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the most current information on military dental and vision benefits, visit TRICARE.mil/dental, TRICARE.mil/Vision, and BENEFEDS.gov.

This article is provided by USMilitary.org, an independent educational resource. We are not affiliated with the Department of Defense, VA, or any government agency. For official benefit information, please visit TRICARE.mil or contact your regional contractor.