The open season for federal employee benefits will be from Monday, November 12, 2018 through Monday, December 10, 2018 this year. This is the time when federal employees need to make their benefits selections for the coming year.
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 Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. Employees can also re-enroll or newly enroll in the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS).
Two programs that do not participate in the annual open season are the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program and the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP).
In a first for this year’s open season, certain members of the uniformed services and their families will be eligible to enroll in FEDVIP 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. More information will be available on OPM’s website.
More information on the open season will be forthcoming as the start date approaches. Be sure to check with your local human resources offices for questions about changes you can make and what plans are available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
FEHB
What are my open season options?
- 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.
When 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
FEDVIP
What are my open season options?
- 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 do not need to take any action if you are satisfied with your current FEDVIP plan.
When is the effective date of enrollment or change?
January 1, 2019
FSAFEDS
What are my open season options?
- 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 willnot 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.
When is the effective date of enrollment or change?
January 1, 2019
