The 2020 federal benefits open season will take place as scheduled according to a recent statement from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
“The effective dates of Open Season enrollment actions will not be delayed due to COVID-19,” OPM wrote in a memo. The annual open season will run from Monday, November 9, 2020 through Monday, December 14, 2020. This open season is for the 2021 plan year of federal benefit programs.
“We recognize that this may be a uniquely challenging Open Season, and appreciate your efforts to ensure you are prepared to administer Open Season, including timely processing of enrollments and enrollment changes,” OPM wrote to federal agency benefit administrators.
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.
New for 2021 — 10 new plans options in FEDVIP
There will be a total of 23 dental plan options and 10 vision plan options in 2021. Additional information will be provided by OPM prior to the beginning of the open season.
2020 Federal Benefits Open Season Options
OPM has provided a summary of the various options for this open season in a 2-page PDF that can be downloaded here.
2020 FEHB and FEDVIP Premium Rates
OPM will post FEDVIP and FEHB premium rates for 2021 in October. Participants will find specific federal benefits open season information — including 2021 FEHB health plan comparison tools — on its website by the first week in November.
