Fehb Open Season: Understand Your Options and Make a Choice

Fehb open season can be overwhelming, but understanding your options makes all the difference. The open season period typically runs from mid-November to mid-December.

You have two main types of plans to choose from: the Standard Option and the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). The Standard Option has a higher premium but lower out-of-pocket costs, while the HDHP has a lower premium but higher out-of-pocket costs.

The Standard Option has a lower deductible, which means you'll pay less upfront for medical expenses. The HDHP, on the other hand, has a higher deductible, but you'll also have a Health Savings Account (HSA) to save for medical expenses.

Before Open Season, it's essential to prepare and make the most of this annual opportunity.

Read Federal Benefits Open Season Highlights from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to get an overview of what's new and what to expect.

Bookmark OPM's Open Season website for easy access to information and resources.

Review and compare healthcare and dental/vision plans, as making no changes will result in automatic rollover of FEHB and FEDVIP enrollments.

Use the online comparison tool to explore a better plan that suits your needs.

Check all your systems and test your login capability to ensure a smooth Open Season experience.

Use the Employee Personal Page to review current benefit elections and verify your home mailing address.

Use the Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF) to verify your beneficiary designation information.

Review the Circle 'Round Your Benefits diagram and OPM's Open Season website for Active Federal Employees for a comprehensive understanding of your benefits.

Attend the Virtual Benefits Open Season Health Fair (date to be determined) to discuss benefits questions with specialists and meet health, dental, vision, and Flexible Spending Account vendors.

Ask yourself these questions:

By taking these steps, you'll be well-prepared for Open Season and can make informed decisions about your benefits.

Making changes to your FEHB plan during Open Season can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, we've got the lowdown. You should make all changes via your My EPP page if you're enrolling in coverage for the first time, switching from one FEHB plan to another, cancelling your FEHB election, or changing your coverage amount.

If you're keeping the same plan but adding or removing a family member, you'll need to submit your changes to RABAS via the Retirement and Benefits App. You'll also need to indicate the family member being added or removed in the "Remarks" section of your SF-2809.

You can make changes to your FEHB, FSAFEDS, and FEDVIP plans during Open Season. If you're enrolling in coverage for the first time, going from one FEHB plan to another, cancelling your FEHB election, or changing your coverage amount, make the changes via your My EPP page.

To make these types of changes, log in to your My EPP page and follow the prompts. This is the most convenient way to make these changes.

If you don't have a self-service button on your My EPP page, you'll need to submit your changes to RABAS via the Retirement and Benefits App. You can use this method if you're keeping the same plan but adding or removing a family member.

To add or remove a family member, indicate this in the "Remarks" section of the SF-2809 form, providing the full name, date of birth, last four of social security number, and a remark adding or removing the family member.

Here's a summary of how to make changes to your FEHB plan:

If you're considering making changes, there are some individuals who should not submit an open season change. You should not submit an open season change if you're retiring prior to 1/1/2025.

Some specific situations that fall under this rule include transferring agencies or expecting a qualifying life event before the mentioned date.

If you're retiring, transferring agencies, or expecting a qualifying life event, it's best to wait until after 1/1/2025 to make changes.

Here's a quick rundown of the situations to avoid:

During FEHB open season, some individuals may be eligible for special enrollment periods due to certain life events, such as losing or gaining a family member, or experiencing a change in employment status.

If you're a federal employee or retiree, you may be eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP).

Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) offers a range of health insurance plans to choose from, including high-deductible plans and catastrophic plans.

The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program provides premium-free coverage to certain federal employees and retirees, including those who are eligible for the Basic Life Insurance Program.

FedVIP is a type of FEHB plan that is specifically designed for federal employees and retirees, offering a range of health insurance options.

As you approach retirement, it's essential to understand how FEHB and Medicare work together. If you're considering suspending FEHB for a Medicare Advantage plan, think carefully about the implications.

Medicare Part D can be a game-changer for FEHB enrollees, but it's crucial to understand how it interacts with your existing coverage. You'll want to explore how Medicare Part D can help fill gaps in your prescription coverage.

Required minimum distributions (RMDs) can have a surprising impact on your Medicare premiums. Be aware that RMDs can sharply increase your Medicare premiums, so factor this into your retirement planning.

Deciding whether to enroll in Medicare while still covered by FEHB can be a complex decision. Consider the following options:

It's worth noting that Medicare and FEHB work together in certain ways, but it's essential to understand the specifics of your situation before making any decisions.

During FEHB Open Season, it's essential to analyze and compare plans to avoid making a big mistake. This will help you choose the best insurance plan for your needs.

If you're planning to retire overseas, be aware that the implications this can have on both Medicare and FEHB plans may vary widely. This is especially true for weight loss drug coverage, which also differs significantly among FEHB plans.

High deductible health plans within the FEHB can be a great way for federal employees to save on insurance costs. Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts can also help federal employees save on health insurance costs.

Here are some tips to help you choose the right FEHB plan: