The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) officially announced the dates for the 2019 Federal Benefits Open Season which will run from Monday, November 11 through Monday, December 9, 2019. This open season is for the 2020 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.
2020 FEHB and FEDVIP Premium Rates
OPM will post FEDVIP and FEHB premium rates for 2019 in early October. Participants will find specific federal benefits open season information — including 2019 FEHB health plan comparison tools — on its website by the first week in November.
Options During 2019 Federal Benefits Open Season
FEHB – Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
What are my options during the 2019 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. 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, 2020 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, 2020
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)
- 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, 2020