Human Resources Division (HRD) - Benefits - Open Season |
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Printable Version
This is your annual opportunity to review and:
- Change your enrollment in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program,
- Change your enrollment in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), and
- Enroll in the Federal Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAFEDS) for health care and/or dependent care for 2013.
What’s new this year?
As a result of the Affordable Care Act, FEHB plans will provide a summary document detailing information about health plan benefits and coverage on their websites to allow employees to better understand coverage and easily compare different plans and plan options. This document will include information on cost, coverage, and rights.
The 2013 FEHB plan brochure has been revamped to make the information more concise and easier to understand. Highlights include: a new text box on the front cover that tells you where to find rates, changes in 2013, and the summary of benefits; a FEHB facts section in the beginning of the brochure that has information on qualifying life events; and, a new section entitled, “Coordinating Benefits with Medicare and Other Coverage” that combines fee-for-service FEHB plan brochures with Medicare information.
The maximum annual election for a Health Care Flexible Spending Account and the Limited Expense Health Care Flexible Spending Account has changed from $5,000 to $2,500 for the 2013 benefit period.
Federal Employees Health Benefits has gone green!
In an effort to lower costs and save resources, paper copies of health plan brochures will not be automatically mailed to FEHB Program members. You may view your FEHB health plan brochure online at www.opm.gov/FEHBbrochures.
If you are currently enrolled in a FEHB health plan, your plan will contact you to offer the option of obtaining the 2013 benefit brochure online or by requesting a paper copy of the benefit brochure. If you did not previously request a paper copy, you will not automatically receive one. If you enroll in or change to a different plan during the open season, your new health plan will mail you a paper copy of its brochure.
Open Season Webcasts
Live Webcasts
- Introduction to Open Season: Tuesday, November 6, 1:30 pm EST
- The Federal Employees Dental & Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP): Tuesday, November 13, 1:30 pm EST
- The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): Thursday, November 15, 1:30 pm EST
Click here for more information about the OPM's live webcasts. If you miss the live webcast, or wish to view it again, recordings will be posted the same day they are broadcast.
Recorded Webcasts
- The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB): Do I have the Right Health Plan?
- Medicare & the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
Click here to view these OPM's recorded webcasts.
Helpful Links
- Open Season Information for APHIS, AMS, GIPSA, and NRCS (NHQ & PA) Employees (PDF)
- Significant Health Plan Changes for 2013 (PDF)
- OPM's FEHB Program and the Affordable Care Act
- Guide to Federal Benefits for Federal Civilian Employees (PDF)
- OPM's Open Season Website
- FEHB premium costs (Click on Non-U.S. Postal Rates.)
- FEHB plan information by state
- Plan Smart Choice tool (2013 data available November 12)
- Link to NFC Employee Personal Page. Use your E Authentication ID and password to access the NFC Employee Personal Page to make your FEHB enrollment changes.
- Link to SF-2809 (PDF). If you are not able to use the NFC Employee Personal Page to make your FEHB enrollment change, complete the SF-2809 and fax the Official Personnel File copy (copy 1) of the form to 612-336-3545.
- For Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), choose your plan and process your enrollment. If you would like to drop your FEDVIP enrollment, you must also process your request through the BENEFEDS website during open season!
- Federal Employees Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAFEDS), choose your plan and process enrollment. If you were enrolled in 2012 and want to be enrolled in 2013, you MUST process your new enrollment through the FSAFEDS web site during open season!
- Open Season Instructions for Administrative Support Offices in APHIS, AMS, and GIPSA (PDF).
- Questions? Contact your servicing Benefits Specialist (PDF)
Additional Resources
(For employees of USDA
Marketing and Regulatory Programs and the Merit Systems Protection
Board)
Last Modified:
November 5, 2012