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5 CFR §894.811 — I am a TEI family member of a sponsor who is a retiree or Retired Reserve member who is not on active duty. My sponsor is a TEI-D but is not enrolled in a FEDVIP dental plan. Can I enroll in a FEDVIP dental plan even though my sponsor is eligible to enroll but is not enrolled?

Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov
Generally, if your sponsor is a TEI-D, he or she must enroll in a FEDVIP dental plan in order to cover TEI family members. As an exception, however, a TEI family member can accept the responsibility to self-certify and enroll in a FEDVIP dental plan as a TEI certifying family member, and cover other TEI family members, if the sponsor who is a TEI-D (eligible for FEDVIP dental benefits) is not enrolled and the sponsor meets at least one of the following conditions identified in § 894.309(a)(3)(iii):
  1. (a)The retiree sponsor receives VA dental services;
  2. (b)The retiree sponsor has employer-sponsored dental coverage without a family coverage option; or
  3. (c)The retiree sponsor has a medical or dental condition that prevents him or her from obtaining dental benefits.