What do I do about dental, vision, and hearing?

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.