The Office of Personnel Management has begun releasing information to let federal employees know about the upcoming 2019 Federal Benefits Open Season.
This year’s Open Season will run from Monday, November 11 – Monday, December 9, 2019. During this period, federal employees have the opportunity to enroll, change plans or plan options, change enrollment type, or cancel enrollment for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). It is also the opportunity to re-enroll or newly enroll in the Federal Flexible Spending Account (FSAFEDS) Program.
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).
OPM has provided some general information (see below) in advance of the 2019 Open Season and more will be forthcoming as the start date draws closer.
If you have questions about Federal Benefits Open Season or any other questions about your benefits, contact your local human resources office or representative.
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB)
What are my open season options?
- 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 should I know?
Information on plans available in your area will be posted to www.opm.gov/openseason as soon as it is available. OPM says this will be by early November at the latest.
How do I make a change?
Visit www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/enrollment/ for instructions.
Effective date of enrollment/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
Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
What are my Open Season options?
- 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 should I know?
Visit www.benefeds.com for more information about eligibility and enrollment.
How do I make a change?
Visit www.benefeds.com or call 877-888-FEDS (877-888-3337)
TTY: 877-889-5680
International: +1-571-730-5942
Customer Service is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.
Effective date of enrollment/change
January 1, 2020
Federal Flexible Spending Account (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 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 should I know?
- Visit www.fsafeds.com
- Currently the minimum annual election amount for all FSAFEDS accounts is $100. The contribution maximum for the Health Care or Limited Expense Health Care FSAs is $2,700 per participant. The maximum for the Dependent Care FSA is $5,000 per family.
- The contribution maximums for Flexible Spending Accounts are determined by the Internal Revenue Service and are subject to change. If FSAFEDS adopts new maximums, notification will be provided on www.opm.gov/openseason.
How do I make a change?
- Visit www.fsafeds.com or call 877-FSAFEDS (877-372-3337), TTY Line: 866-353-8058
- Benefits Counselors are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Verify your account login now to save time when you’re ready to make your 2020 elections.
- Visit www.FSAFEDS.com, enter your Username and Password, and select “LOG IN.” If you don’t remember your Username and/or Password, select “Forgot Username or Password?” for assistance.
Effective date of enrollment/change
January 1, 2020
