Frequently Asked
What do I do about dental, vision, and hearing?
Original Medicare and TFL don't cover routine dental, vision, or hearing. Options include FEDVIP, standalone plans, or a Medicare Advantage plan that bundles them.
Neither Original Medicare nor TFL cover routine dental, vision, or hearing. You have three paths:
1. FEDVIP (Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program). Open to retired military through BENEFEDS.com. Federal Open Season runs mid-November to mid-December. Group rates, no underwriting.
2. Standalone dental/vision plans through private insurers. Available year-round, but typically more expensive and less comprehensive than FEDVIP.
3. Medicare Advantage with bundled benefits. Veteran-focused MA plans often include dental cleanings/exams/major work, eye exams, glasses allowances, and hearing aids — sometimes worth thousands per year.
Don't pay twice. If you enroll in MA dental and FEDVIP, you may be duplicating coverage. Compare benefits side-by-side.
Hearing aids deserve special mention: they're not covered by Medicare or TFL at all. Many veterans get them through the VA (if service-connected) or through an MA plan's hearing benefit.
Continue learning
— suggested by the knowledge graph- What is TRICARE For Life? The complete guide for retired militaryThe Medicare-wraparound benefit you earned through service — what it covers, who qualifies, what it costs, and how it activates.
- What is Medicare? A complete overview for retired militaryA plain-English, handbook-grounded overview of the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, written specifically for retired service members and their families.
- Understanding Original Medicare (Parts A & B) for veteransExactly what Part A and Part B cover, what they cost in 2026, and why both are required to keep TRICARE For Life.
- Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)An optional, all-in-one alternative way to get your Medicare benefits — delivered through a private plan instead of through Original Medicare.
- TRICARE For Life (TFL)The wraparound secondary health coverage for Medicare-eligible military retirees, spouses, and survivors — no premium, no enrollment fee.
- MedicareThe federal health insurance program for people 65+, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with ESRD or ALS.
- Original MedicareMedicare Parts A and B together — the fee-for-service version of Medicare run directly by the federal government.
- Dental Benefits (Medicare Advantage)Dental coverage included with most Medicare Advantage plans — exams, cleanings, fillings, and sometimes crowns and dentures.
- Do I really need Medicare Part B?Yes. Without Part B, you lose TRICARE For Life. There is no workaround.
- Will TRICARE pay my Medicare deductible?Yes. For services covered by both Medicare and TRICARE at participating providers, TFL typically covers the Medicare deductible and coinsurance — leaving you with $0.
- Should I choose Medicare Advantage?It's an optional consideration. A veteran-focused MA plan can lower your Part B premium and add dental/vision/hearing — while TFL continues to wrap around it.
Related lessons
Related glossary terms
Related Official Resources
Continue learning straight from the source. Every link below goes to an official government or DoD resource.
Last reviewed January 2026 against the 2026 Medicare & You and TRICARE For Life handbooks.