Military retirees enrolled in HealthPartners Dental through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) must select a new plan for 2026 or risk losing coverage.
HealthPartners Dental, which served Minnesota, Wisconsin, parts of Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota, will no longer participate in FEDVIP. All enrollments with the carrier will end on December 31, 2025. Beneficiaries must choose a different dental plan during open enrollment to maintain coverage.
FEDVIP, a voluntary program sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), allows eligible military retirees to purchase dental coverage, while active-duty families and Tricare Reserve Select members can purchase vision coverage. The program operates on an enrollee-pay-all basis.
For 2026, FEDVIP offers 11 dental carriers, including Aetna Dental, Delta Dental, UnitedHealthcare Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental, MetLife Federal Dental Plan, and several regional carriers.
Plans include both HMO and PPO options. HMO plans provide predictable fees, while PPO plans cover procedures as a percentage, potentially leaving out-of-pocket costs uncertain.
FEDVIP plans also feature “standard” and “high” options. Those expecting major dental work may benefit from high option plans, while standard options may suffice for preventive care.
Outside the open enrollment period, plan changes are permitted only for qualifying life events such as changes in reserve status, marital status, relocation, or the birth or adoption of a child.
Current HealthPartners Dental enrollees must make a new plan election before the open enrollment period closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, December 8, 2025.