Updated: November 13, 2018
The 2018 Federal Benefits Open Season which will run from Monday, November 12, 2018 through Monday, December 10, 2018. This open season is for the 2019 plan year of federal benefit programs.
Which Federal Benefits Programs Participate in the Open Season?
During the annual open season, federal employees can enroll, change plans or plan options, change enrollment type, or cancel their enrollment for the:
- Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program
- Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
Employees can also re-enroll or newly enroll in the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS).
The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program and the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) do not participate in the annual open season.
Options During 2018 Federal Benefits Open Season
Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program
What are my options during the 2018 FEHB open season?
- Enroll
- Change plans
- Change enrollment options (to Self, Self Plus One, or Self and Family)
- Cancel coverage
What if I do nothing?
Your current coverage will automatically continue. You only need to change plans if your plan has ended coverage in your area or your plan is terminating participation in the FEHB Program.
What is the effective date of enrollment or change?
The first day of the first pay period that begins on or after January 1, 2019 and which follows a pay period during any part of which you (if an employee) are in pay status
2019 FEHB Premium Rates
On Sept. 28 the Office Personnel Management (OPM) announced the cost of premiums paid by enrollees in the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program will increase by an average of 1.5% in 2019. This is the lowest FEHB premium increase since the 1996 plan year.
OPM stated that the overall 2019 FEHB premium rates for current non-Postal employees and retirees will go up an average of 1.3 percent next year. For most federal employees and annuitants, the federal government’s contribution to premiums is about 72 percent under a formula established by law. The government will contribute 1.2 percent more toward enrollees’ FEHB premiums in 2019.
The specific FEHB premiums rate change will vary based on the plan an enrollee chooses.
2019 FEHB Plan Comparison Tools and Brochures
The OPM website contains the following information for the 2019 FEHB plan year:
- 2019 FEHB plan information includes a list of all health insurance plans available in a state, as well as links to the plan brochures, changes for each plan from the previous year, information on plan patient safety programs, and links to the plan provider directories.
- 2019 FEHB plan comparison tool can be searched by entering various details such as zip code, plan name or the health insurance plan code, employee type, pay frequency, and number of members to be covered.
2019 FEHB Plans Leaving the Program or Other Significant Changes
OPM has provided a list of the 2019 FEHB plans that are:
- leaving the program in 2019
- reducing service areas without terminating enrollment codes
- terminating options and enrollment codes
- adding new options and enrollment codes
- expanding service area without new enrollment codes
For OPM’s complete list, download the 7-page PDF from their website here.
For a list of FAQs from OPM regarding these changes, click here (2-page PDF)
Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
What are my options during open season?
- Enroll
- Change plans
- Change enrollment options (to Self, Self Plus One, or Self and Family)
- Cancel coverage
For the first time, certain members of the uniformed services and their families will be eligible to enroll in FEDVIP during the 2018 Open Season for coverage effective January 1, 2019. Enrollment will be processed through www.BENEFEDS.com. Retired uniformed service members and their families who are eligible for the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP, which will end on December 31, 2018) will be eligible for FEDVIP dental coverage and, if enrolled in a TRICARE health plan, will be eligible for FEDVIP vision coverage. Family members of active duty uniformed services members who are enrolled in a TRICARE health plan will also be eligible for FEDVIP vision coverage.
What if I do nothing?
Your current coverage will automatically continue. You do not need to take any action if you are satisfied with your current FEDVIP plan.
What is the effective date of enrollment or change?
January 1, 2019
2019 FEDVIP Premiums and Brochures
Participants in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) can find brochures for these programs here:
Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS)
What are my options during open season?
Enroll/Reenroll in Health Care FSA (HCFSA), Limited Expense Health Care FSA (LEX HCFSA), and Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA)
Increase or decrease your election
What if I do nothing?
Your election will not automatically continue. You must reenroll to continue your account(s) for the next benefit year.
NOTE: A condition of being eligible to carry over up to $500 from this plan year’s HCFSA or LEX HCFSA is re-enrolling in either of these two plans in the subsequent year. DCFSAs are ineligible for carryover.
What is the effective date of enrollment or change?
January 1, 2019
2019 FSAFEDS Information
Complete information on the FSAFEDS program can be found here: https://www.fsafeds.com/