The 2023 Federal Benefits Open Season started on Monday, November 13, and ends on Monday, December 11, 2023. Open season is the only period in which federal employees can change their health insurance coverage for the coming year without having a qualifying life event, such as marriage or the birth of a child. During this period, you have the opportunity to enroll, change or cancel benefits plans under the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). You can also enroll or re-enroll in the Federal Flexible Spending Account (FSAFEDS) program.
Changes to elections must be made by midnight (Eastern Time) on Monday, December 11. If already enrolled in FEHB and FEDVIP, those enrollments will continue as long your plan is still participating. You must re-enroll to participate in FSAFEDS for 2024. Employees who are satisfied with their current benefits should still review any applicable plan changes and explore coverage options.
Open Season Tips
To prepare for open season:
- Review your 2023 health care expenses.
- Check your Employee Personal Page account. Not only will any FEHB plan changes you make be done through EPP, but you can also review your current benefit elections and verify your mailing address and beneficiary forms are current.
- Go to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Open Season site to find 2024 premiums, learn about upcoming carrier changes, compare plans and more.
- Visit BeneFeds, where all FEDVIP changes will be made. Learn more about dental and vision plan options for 2024.
- Explore flexible spending account options through FSAFEDS. You must enroll online each year as your participation does not carry over from year to year.
- Register for the 2023 Virtual Benefits Fair to receive your personal access link. BeneFeds will be hosting Q&A sessions to answer individual benefits-related questions. The dates/times for the sessions are: November 14, 21, 30 from 10 A.M - 5 P.M. (ET) and December 7 from 10 A.M - 5 P.M. (ET).
Significant Changes to Health Plans
There are several plans leaving the FEHB Program at the end of 2023. Employees in these terminating plans must enroll in a new health plan during Open Season. Health insurance providers will notify employees affected by significant plan changes.
Find out if your current plan is terminating or changing:
Employees who do not enroll in a new medical plan will be enrolled in the GEHA Indemnity Benefit Plan Elevate Option (the lowest-cost nationwide plan option for 2024 as determined by OPM).
Employees currently enrolled in terminating dental/vision plans should select a different plan if they want coverage in 2024.
Coverage under an enrollee’s new health plan will be effective the first day of the pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2024; for most employees this will be Monday, January 1, 2024. Enrollees will remain covered and receive the 2023 benefits of the old plan until the new plan becomes effective.
Check the Premiums for Dependent Plans
There are 48 FEHB plan choices where the 2024 enrollee share of premiums for the "Self Plus One" enrollment type is higher than for the "Self and Family" enrollment type. Enrollees who wish to cover one eligible family member may elect either the Self and Family or Self Plus One enrollment type. Carefully check the 2023 rates of your current plan and any other plan choices you are considering for 2024.
Resources
For more information, contact the Retirement and Benefits Advisory Services Branch at (202) 325-6180 or via the Retirement and Benefits website.