The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) officially announced the dates for the 2023 Federal Benefits Open Season which will start Nov. 13 and runs through Dec. 11, 2023.
This open season is for the 2024 plan year of federal benefit programs.
NEW: 2024 FEHB Premium Rate Charts Now Available
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.
2024 FEHB and FEDVIP Premium Rates
OPM issued the 2024 FEHB and FEDVIP premium rates earlier this month, and they are available here.
Participants will find specific federal benefits open season information — including 2024 FEHB health plan comparison tools — on its website by the first week in November.
For 2024, the FEHB Program has 68 carriers participating, offering a total of 158 plan choices. OPM asked FEHB carriers to focus on obesity, mental health and substance use disorder services, maternal health, gender-affirming care and services, and assisted reproductive technology.
For 2024, FEDVIP has twelve dental carriers providing 23 dental plan options across the program. Seven dental carriers offer 14 nationwide dental plan options available to all potential enrollees. Five vision carriers provide 10 nationwide vision plan options available to all potential enrollees.
Federal employees may use Open Season to elect to make pre-tax contributions to health care and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts under the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS). For this Open Season, OPM announced a major expansion of the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DCFSAs) to active-duty service members.
Options During 2023 Federal Benefits Open Season
FEHB – Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
What are my options during the 2023 FEHB open season?
- Enroll
- Change plans
- Change plan options
- Change enrollment type (to Self, Self Plus One, or Self and Family)
- Cancel 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 FEHB plan. However, you must 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, 2024 and which follows a pay period during any part of which you (if an employee) are in pay status.
FEDVIP – Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program
What are my options during open season?
- Enroll
- Change plans
- Change plan options
- Change enrollment type (to Self, Self Plus One, or Self and Family)
- Cancel 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, 2024
FSAFEDS – Federal Flexible Spending Account Program
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)
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 unused funds 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, 2024
Preparing for 2024 Federal Benefits Open Season
OPM provided some sample questions to help enrollees review their benefits and needs for health care coverage:
What are my and/or my family’s expected health care needs for 2024?
Questions while reviewing your FEHB plan: Am I expecting a new baby? Do I need surgery? Will my medication needs change? Does my plan provide a pharmacy mail order option for prescriptions?
Questions while reviewing FEDVIP: Do I need routine dental care? Will I need a crown or root canal? Does my child need braces? Do I need glasses and/or contact lens? Am I considering laser vision correction surgery?
Questions while reviewing FSAFEDS: Do I have out-of-pocket expenses I need to consider, such as deductibles, copays, day care, elder care, or over-the-counter drugs and medicines? Does my child need braces or use acne treatment? Do I plan to send my children (under 13) to in-home care or summer camp?