Open Season Is Underway: What Federal Employees Need to Do by December 14

Open Season Is Underway: What Federal Employees Need to Do by December 14

Federal Benefits Open Season runs from November 9 through December 14. Whether you’re planning to change coverage or keep your current elections, there are several things worth checking before the deadline.

Here’s what to review and what happens if you take no action.

Your Open Season Checklist

Confirm your plan will be available in 2027 and review its new premium. Use OPM’s FEHB Plan Comparison Tool to check your plan and compare the 2027 premium rates. Pay attention to both the Self Plus One and Self and Family options. According to OPM, employees covering one eligible family member may be able to choose either option. In some plans, Self and Family coverage actually costs less.

Verify your doctors and prescription coverage. Check the provider directory and prescription drug formulary for any plan you’re considering. For 2027, all carriers require documented behavioral therapy before and during anti-obesity drug treatment.

If you’re retired and enrolled in Medicare, review how your plan coordinates with Part B. The way FEHB coverage works alongside Medicare can vary by plan. FFEBA’s FEHB vs. Medicare tool can help you compare your options.

Planning to add a family member? Contact your agency’s benefits office to confirm which documents you’ll need to submit.

Make a new FSAFEDS election if you want a flexible spending account in 2027. Current elections do not automatically renew. Visit FSAFEDS.gov to enroll again.

Submit any changes by December 14. Employees generally make health insurance changes through their agency’s enrollment system or human resources office. Dental and vision elections are handled through BENEFEDS. Annuitants can find enrollment instructions on OPM’s Open Season page.

What Happens If You Don’t Make Changes?

You don’t necessarily have to take action during Open Season to keep your current coverage. However, what happens depends on the program and whether your plan will continue operating in 2027.

Even if you keep everything the same, your premiums may not. The enrollee share of FEHB premiums increases by an average of 10.9% in 2027, while PSHB premiums rise an average of 8.2%.

Don’t Forget to Re-Enroll in FSAFEDS

FSAFEDS is different from the other programs because your election does not carry over into the next year.

Active employees who want a health care or dependent care flexible spending account in 2027 must make a new election during Open Season. A new option this year allows participants to choose between a Visa FSA card and paperless reimbursement.

New elections take effect January 1, 2027. FFEBA’s FEDVIP and FSAFEDS guide provides additional information.

Several FEHB and PSHB Plans Are Leaving

Not every current plan will be available next year. Nine FEHB options are being discontinued for 2027:

• Independent Health Standard and HDHP
• Blue Care Network of Michigan Southeast High
• UHC Choice Primary West High
• UHC Choice Plus Primary West High
• Health Net of California Northern High
• Health Net of California Southern Standard, Basic, and High

In the PSHB program, UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Primary Postal East is also leaving.

Employees and retirees enrolled in these plans who do not select a replacement will be moved into default coverage. FEHB enrollees will be assigned to Compass Rose Standard, while affected PSHB enrollees will be moved to FEP Blue Focus.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the default plan will be the best fit. Your doctors may not participate in its network, and your prescriptions may not be covered under the same terms. If your plan is being discontinued, take time to compare alternatives rather than relying on an automatic reassignment.

The December 14 deadline is approaching. Even if you decide to keep your current coverage, reviewing your options now can help you avoid surprises when the new plan year begins.