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Frequently Asked Questions

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At Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental, our goal is to provide our members with the highest level of service available. Below are answers to some of the frequently asked questions about our coverage and benefits. If you can't find what you're looking for, please Contact Us for further assistance.

  1. Call customer service at 1-855-504-BLUE (2583) (TTY: 711) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, M-F. You can also contact us here or through the free BCBS FEP Dental mobile app.
  2. Our live chat feature is available through our secure member portal. You can use it to speak with a BCBS FEP Dental representative. Visit bcbsfepdental.com and then click "Member Login" in the top right corner.

Report your new address to BENEFEDS by visiting BENEFEDS.gov or calling 1-877-888-FEDS (3337), TTY 1-877-889-5680. BENEFEDS will forward your address change to us. And, when visiting your dentist, make sure they have your correct address to use when submitting claims.

You can learn more about enrolling in BCBS FEP Dental here. Enrollment is managed through BENEFEDS, the government's official enrollment portal.

  1. Check your eligibility
  2. Choose a plan
  3. Enroll through BENEFEDS.gov or call 1-877-888-3337.


You can enroll in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) every year during Open Season, which is typically the second Monday in November through the second Monday in December. You can also enroll outside of Open Season if you are newly eligible or experience a qualifying life event (QLE). When you enroll in a FEDVIP dental plan, your coverage automatically continues each year.

Yes, there are certain qualifying life events (QLEs) that allow you to change or enroll in a FEDVIP dental plan outside of Open Season or your initial enrollment window. QLEs include:

  • Adding an eligible family member to your current plan through marriage, birth or adoption.
  • Losing a covered family member and decreasing your enrollment type.
  • Enrolling in new coverage due to marriage or losing other dental coverage.

For most QLEs, you have from 31 days before the event to 60 days after to submit your change to BENEFEDS. In most cases, if you make a change within 31 days before the event date, your coverage will be effective on the date of the event. If you make a change within 60 days after the event, your update will take effect the first day of your next pay period.

Eligible members who have a QLE can submit a change online at BENEFEDS.gov or by calling 1-877-888-FEDS (3337). In some cases, you can fill out and mail a paper form for BENEFEDS to process.


Coverage begins January 1 if you enroll during Open Season. Premium deductions start with the first full pay period after your coverage begins. For more information about FEDVIP enrollment, visit BENEFEDS.gov.


No, you do not have to be enrolled in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan to get BCBS FEP Dental. If you are a federal or U.S. Postal Service employee or retiree currently eligible for enrollment under the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program or the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, you are eligible to enroll in BCBS FEP Dental. You do not have to be enrolled in an FEHB or PSHB plan.


Eligible dependents include your spouse and unmarried children under age 22 (or under 21 for retired uniformed service members, or under 23 if they are full-time students). This includes legally adopted children, as well as stepchildren and foster children in a regular parent-child relationship.

For more information, review Section 1 of the Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental brochure or visit BENEFEDS.gov.

BCBS FEP Dental offers comprehensive dental coverage, including:

  • In-network covered preventive care paid in full, with up to three cleanings a year
  • No deductible for in-network services, like fillings and root canals
  • Orthodontic services, including braces, aligners and retainers, covered for children and adults
  • Worldwide coverage with all overseas services at the in-network level

You'll also get access to health and wellness discounts through Blue365®, a program offered exclusively to Blue Cross and Blue Shield members.


High Option is our most popular choice. High Option has higher coverage rates for in- and out-of-network services and an unlimited annual benefit when seeing in-network dentists (only applies to Class A, B, C and general services). Like High Option, Standard Option covers preventive services at no cost but has a lower coverage rate for in- and out-of-network services.


Under High Option and Standard Option, we offer three enrollment types: Self, Self +1 and Self & Family. This means you can cover just yourself, yourself and one additional person, or yourself and your entire family.


  • Most people see their dentist twice a year for checkups. BCBS FEP Dental covers two routine exams and cleanings per year, plus a third cleaning if needed. Some preventive services, like sealants and fluoride, depend on age.
  • If you've had gum disease treatment, you're covered for two routine exams and up to four periodontal maintenance visits each year.
  • If an issue comes up between checkups, one extra exam is covered.
  • For dental conditions needing treatment, coverage depends on your plan’s benefits and limits.


When there are two or more clinically acceptable dental services available to treat a dental condition, alternate benefits provide coverage for the less costly treatment option. The goal of alternate benefits is to help keep premiums down while also giving members a choice of treatment.

  • Alternate benefits give you the flexibility to find a treatment option that works best for you while still offering coverage for your care.
  • If you and your dentist choose a higher-level service, you still get coverage for the amount of the least costly treatment (you are responsible for paying the difference in cost).
  • Keep in mind that our coverage is based on providing benefits to meet your dental needs, while upgrades or more expensive options may not be fully covered.

For more about this process, read our guide to alternative dental benefits here.


Yes, we cover traditional orthodontic treatment (braces) as well as clear aligners. Under High Option and Standard Option, orthodontic benefits are covered at 50%. We cover up to a lifetime maximum of $3,500 under High Option. For Standard Option, we cover up to $2,500 lifetime maximum if you use an in-network dentist and $1,250 with an out-of-network dentist. Our orthodontic benefits cover both children and adults. There is no waiting period for orthodontic services under BCBS FEP Dental, meaning benefits start from day one of your coverage being active.

BCBS FEP Dental covers members worldwide, with access to dentists in about 100 countries across Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Asia. If you need care while working or traveling abroad, you can find a participating dentist here. English-speaking customer service representatives are available to help. You’ll pay the dentist up front and submit a claim for reimbursement. Learn more about international coverage here, or call Customer Service at 1-855-504-BLUE (2583) in the U.S. or 1-651-994-2583 collect outside the U.S.


You can visit any dentist, but you'll save more by choosing an in-network provider. The BCBS FEP Dental network includes general dentists and specialists, offering lower out-of-pocket costs for covered services. If you see an out-of-network dentist, you may pay more and be responsible for filing claims. Find an in-network dentist here.


You can find an in-network dentist here. BCBS FEP Dental has a large nationwide network with over 500,000 in-network dentists and their locations in all 50 states. High Option and Standard Option members have access to these dentists, as well as coverage for out-of-network dentists, or you can call BCBS FEP Dental customer service at 1-855-504-BLUE (2583) (TTY: 711) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, M-F.


BCBS FEP Dental has a nationwide network of general dentists and specialists. You'll save more when you visit an in-network dentist because they have agreed to our negotiated rates. If your dentist is out-of-network, your costs may be higher since benefits are based on the lesser of the provider's charge or our maximum allowed amount. You are responsible for paying the difference between our payment and the amount billed. In most cases, you will not have to pay anything up front; the provider will bill you for any owed amount.

For out-of-network care, you may need to pay up front and submit a claim for reimbursement. Out-of-network services are also subject to an annual deductible-$75 per person for Standard Option and $50 per person for High Option-plus coinsurance for certain services.

If you have a BCBS medical plan, note that the FEHB/PSHB medical network is separate from the BCBS FEP Dental network. Choosing a dentist who is in-network for both your medical and dental plan can help you maximize your benefits. View the benefits chart here.


  • Have your dental and medical member ID cards ready when you get there
  • Share your top concerns first
  • When sharing symptoms, focus on the when, what, where and why
  • Share your medical and dental history
  • Don't skip preventive visits
  • Write down any important information
  • Discuss treatment options
  • Request a pre-treatment estimate for all major or extensive services
  • Understand the difference between pre-treatment estimates vs. prior authorizations
  • Be sure you understand the potential benefits, risks or alternatives to recommended treatments before agreeing to a complex treatment plan

For more information, read about our tips to have a more productive dental visit.


To find a dentist that's right for you, ask for recommendations, consider location and hours and choose someone you're comfortable talking to.

  • How are after-hours emergencies handled?
  • Does the dentist have multiple office locations?
  • How long will you have to wait to get an appointment for routine exams and cleanings? Urgent or same-day care? Specialty services?
  • Is the office staff friendly and helpful? Do they enjoy working with children?

Talk to your dentist about your treatment plan. It's important to know what you're getting into before starting treatment. Review your treatment plan with your dentist and ask about possible options. To help you make the most informed decision possible, a pre-treatment estimate (PTE) provides you with a financial breakdown of covered services based on your dentist's charges for the proposed treatment plan. This estimate shows the cost of how much BCBS FEP Dental covers compared to how much you will have to pay out-of-pocket.

For more ways to avoid surprise bills, read our Know Before You Go guide here.


Life-threatening dental emergencies like uncontrolled bleeding or trauma to facial bones require immediate medical treatment. Urgent dental issues, such as injuries to teeth or gums, should be treated quickly by a dentist to prevent nerve damage, blood vessel damage and infection. Taking quick action in a dental emergency can save your teeth.

You can also learn what to do in a dental emergency here.


Non-emergency care includes routine or non-urgent procedures such as periodic oral examinations, routine dental cleaning, preventive therapies, orthodontic procedures other than those to address acute issues, and aesthetic dental procedures.


If you have a life-threatening dental emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest ER for immediate care.

For non-life-threatening conditions, contact your dentist. After you explain the situation, your dentist will advise you on appropriate care and place of treatment. If your dentist is unavailable, their voicemail should advise you on what to do if you require emergency dental care. If you are unable to obtain care, call the number on the back of your Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental member ID Card for assistance.


If you receive dental care out-of-network or overseas, you need to submit a claim in order to receive coverage. Be sure to submit your claim, along with any associated receipts and the medical Explanation of Benefits (EOB), when applicable, within 24 months of receiving care.

You can submit your claim online or via the BCBS FEP Dental mobile app:

  1. Download the claim form here. Complete all fields and print and/or save your form.
  2. To submit your form, log in to the secure Member Portal and go to the My Claims tab and click “Submit a Claim.”
  3. Attach, or using the BCBS FEP Dental mobile app, take a clear photo of your saved claim form, receipts and supporting documents.
  4. Click “Submit” once your documents are uploaded.

You can also submit claims by mail:

  1. Download and print your claim form or call us at 1-855-504-BLUE (2583) to request that we mail you a paper form.
  2. Mail your completed form, receipts and medical EOB, when applicable, to:

BCBS FEP Dental Claims
P.O. Box 75
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0075


Yes, as a Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental member, you can log in to the Member Portal and submit your claim securely online using the My Claims page.


  1. You can contact us online or reach our dedicated Customer Service department at 1-855-504-BLUE (2583) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, M-F.
  2. You can use our live chat feature available through our secure member portal. Visit bcbsfepdental.com and then click “Member Login” in the top right corner.


Claims and any/all requested supporting documents must be submitted within 24 months from the date of service.


You can check the status of a claim, access your BCBS FEP Dental member ID card and review benefits anytime through the secure Member Portal. If you haven’t registered yet, you can sign up on the site.

You can also manage your benefits on the go with the BCBS FEP Dental mobile app. Learn more here

Dental insurance and health insurance are separate plans, but did you know your FEHB or PSHB medical insurance may offer some dental benefits? There are ways to make sure you maximize all of your benefits to get the most coverage and save money. Click here to learn more about combining your health coverage with BCBS FEP Dental.


FEP Blue Basic or FEP Blue Standard may include limited coverage for dental exams, some X-rays, preventive cleanings and other procedures. Your FEHB/PSHB medical plan is always primary and Coordination of Benefits (COB) is required by law. However, BCBS FEP Dental will provide coverage above and beyond what your medical plan covers for dental exams, cleanings, X-rays, etc., as well as coverage for services such as crowns, root canals, periodontal scaling, dentures and orthodontics.


You can use an FSAFEDS Health Care FSA (HCFSA) or Limited Expense HCFSA to cover eligible out-of-pocket dental expenses like co-pays and deductibles, but not insurance premiums.

BCBS FEP Dental offers Paperless Reimbursement (PR), which automatically submits your out-of-pocket dental costs to FSAFEDS for processing. To enroll, visit FSAFEDS.gov and select "Paperless Reimbursement" under "My Account Summary," or call 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337) (TTY: 1-800-952-0450).

For full details on BCBS FEP Dental coverage, view the BCBS FEP Dental Brochure.


No. The Postal Service Reform Act only impacts coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) Program, not the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). BCBS FEP Dental is offered to you through FEDVIP.