Washington, DC- The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has selected the companies that will offer supplemental dental and vision benefits under the new Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program which will begin December 31, 2006. Following a review of proposals, OPM has selected MetLife, GEHA, United Concordia, Aetna, GHI, CompBenefits, and Triple-S to offer dental benefits and Vision Services Plan, BCBS Vision, and Spectera to offer vision benefits.

"This new dental and vision program provides new healthcare choices for the federal family," said OPM Director Linda M. Springer. "Those covered will be able to enroll for comprehensive dental benefits, comprehensive vision benefits or both, and employees will be able to use pre-tax payroll deductions to acquire their additional dental and vision benefits."

The Federal Employee Dental and Vision Benefits Enhancement Act of 2004 was signed into law by President Bush on December 23, 2004. The Act requires OPM to establish arrangements under which supplemental dental and vision benefits will be made available to federal employees, retirees, and their dependents, and it gives OPM broad contracting authority to leverage the purchasing power of federal enrollees.

The new supplemental dental and vision program will be offered during this year's Open Season which begins November 13.