WASHINGTON, D.C. – The annual Federal Benefits Open Season 2022 starts on November 14 and is open through December 12, 2022. During this time, employees and annuitants can assess their benefits to ensure it is cost-efficient and best addresses the care and services for themselves and their families.

 “Tens of thousands of enrollees are potentially leaving valuable savings on the table by not taking advantage of Open Season to review their health care coverage and ensure they are receiving the most out of their benefits for themselves and their family,” said Kiran Ahuja, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). “Ask yourself – how have my or my family needs changed this past year, and then utilize the Open Season enrollment period to conduct a wellness or financial check-up to make an informed decision that gets you the best care.”

 Federal employees are encouraged to consider the tax savings available through the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS). Setting aside an annual pre-tax amount they are projected to spend in out-of-pocket health, dental and vision expenses, and dependent care saves Federal employees money. In 2022, less than 20% of employees across agencies utilize the FSAFEDS Program. Federal employees may use Open Season to elect to make pre-tax contributions to health care and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts under the FSAFEDS.

The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program has approximately 8.2 million covered individuals, making it the largest employer-sponsored health benefits program in the world. OPM recently announced the 2023 plans and premiums for the FEHB Program. In 2021, it’s estimated that 2.5% of enrollees changed their health coverage, with 0.6% opting to switch health insurance carriers during Open Season.
Below we’ve provided sample questions to help you assess how you can utilize Open Season to review your benefits and needs to make an informed decision on coverage:

 What are my and/or my family’s expected health care needs for 2023?

• Questions while reviewing your FEHB plan: Am I expecting a new baby? Do I need surgery? Will my medication need change? Does my plan provide a pharmacy mail order option for prescriptions?
• Questions while reviewing FEDVIP: Do I want coverage for my routine dental care? Will I need a crown or root canal? Does my child need braces? Do I need glasses and/or contact lenses? Am I considering laser vision correction surgery?
• Questions while reviewing FSAFEDS: Do I have out-of-pocket expenses I need to consider, such as deductibles, copays, day care, elder care, or over-the-counter drugs and medicines? Do I have medical expenses that may not be covered by my FEHB plan? Do I plan to send my children (under 13) to in-home care or summer camp?
  
  

FAST FACTS

• Established in 1960, the FEHB Program is the world’s largest employer-sponsored health benefits program.
• The FEHB Program provides healthcare benefits for about 8.2 million individuals: 2.2 million employees, 1.9 million annuitants, and an estimated 4.1 million family members.
• The annual Open Season gives Federal employees, annuitants, and other eligible individuals the opportunity to review their FEHB and FEDVIP plan options, make changes, and enroll for the upcoming plan year that begins January 1, 2023.
• The average total premiums for most enrollees and annuitants enrolled in plans under the FEHB Program will increase 7.2 percent for plan year 2023.
• Under FEDVIP, the overall average premium for dental plans will increase by 0.21 percent, and the overall average premium for vision plans will decrease by 0.41 percent.
• The FEHB Program features 271 health plans choices for 2023. OPM asked FEHB Carriers to focus on COVID-19, telehealth, maternal health, gender-affirming care and services, obesity, preventive services, assisted reproductive technology, and medical foods.

RELEVANT RESOURCES

Please note that the below sites will be updated with 2023 plan information by November 14, 2022.

• FEHB Plan Information
• FEHB Plan Comparison Tool
• FEHB Quality Healthcare Scores
• FEDVIP Plan information
• FEDVIP Plan Comparison Tool
• Federal Flexible Spending Account Program

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT AVAILABILITY

Please contact media@opm.gov for more information.