The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced Wednesday that for plan year 2020 federal employees and retirees will pay — on average — 5.6% more toward their Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) premiums in 2020.
The government’s share of FEHB premiums, according to OPM, will go up by an average of 3.2% in 2020. On average, the government’s share of the of the total cost of an employee’s health insurance premiums is 70%. The specific 2020 FEHB premiums rate change will vary based on the plan an enrollee chooses.
Links to the full sets of FEHB premium rate charts are near the end of this article.
“Today’s announcement is the culmination of a year-long effort,” said OPM Director Dale Cabaniss. “Our employees have worked tirelessly on behalf of all Feds and retirees to secure them world-class healthcare and give them the knowledge to make informed decisions for their families.”
OPM stated The Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Providers Fee was waived last year by Congress (2018 H.R 195), which contributed to the historic low premium rate increase. The Providers Fee is an excise tax on many health insurers. This year the fee was not waived, which has an effect on the premium rate increase.
The Federal Benefits Open Season begins November 11 and ends December 9, 2019. The annual open season gives Federal employees and retirees and other eligible individuals the opportunity to review their FEHB and FEDVIP plan options, make changes, and enroll for the upcoming benefit year that begins January 1, 2020.
Federal employees may also 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).
2020 FEHB Premium Rates Charts from OPM
The charts below provide information on biweekly and monthly premiums, including the total premiums, the amount the government pays, and the change in the enrollee’s portion of the premium compared to last year. All FEHB plans offer Self Only, Self Plus One, and Self and Family enrollment types.
HMO (Regional Plans with Specific Service Areas)
FFS (Fee-for-Service/Nationwide Plans)
More information on 2020 FEHB premium rates can be found on OPM’s website here.
2020 FEDVIP Premiums
Under the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), the overall average premium for dental plans will increase by 5.6 percent, and the overall average premium for vision plans will increase by 1.5 percent.
2020 FEHB Plan Comparison Tools Coming Soon
OPM stated its online 2020 FEHB plan comparison tool will be available the first full week of November and will help enrollees shop for coverage. It will contain more specific 2020 plan information.