OPM Opens Up Enrollment for Advanced Dental/Vision Benefits

Working with a private company, the Office of Personnel Managment has set up online enrollment procedures for enhanced vision- and dental-care benefits. The Web site, www.Benefeds.com, was launched on Nov. 13. 

The Benefeds site is the exclusive place for postal employees to sign up for these voluntary benefits. The “dental/vision” enrollment season, Nov. 13-Dec. 11, coincides with the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program’s Open Season.

Enrollees will pay the full premiums for the enhanced benefits. Like conventional healthcare premiums, the dental/vision costs are deducted from biweekly paychecks on a pretax basis.

The dental/vision-coverage program was authorized by Congress two years ago after hearings in which it was demonstrated that federal employees were not getting access to sufficient optional coverage for dental and vision care. OPM offers a comparison of participating insurance plans and their premiums at www.opm.gov/insure/dentalvision.

According to a recent article in the Washington Post, OPM is working towards someday offering federal employees a central place to sign up and conduct transactions for all voluntary benefit programs, such as long-term care insurance and flexible spending accounts. 

The dental/vision program also can be accessed at 877-888-3337.