Active Federal Employees
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Dental/Vision (FEDVIP)
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Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAFEDS)
Frequently Asked Questions
This is the time of year to ensure that you have the right health, dental or vision insurance coverage for you and your family. It is also time to consider the money you can save on your out-of-pocket medical and dependent care expenses for the upcoming year.
- Most FEHB plans will see benefit and rate changes for the upcoming year. Some plans are dropping out of the program and others are changing their service areas or coverage options. See the Benefits Administration Letter for Significant Plan Changes. It is wise to review your coverage during this period to decide what coverage and premium best suits your needs for the upcoming year.
- You can supplement your health insurance coverage by choosing dental and/or vision insurance coverage that will reduce your out-of-pocket costs for these types of care. You may also cancel your participation in these programs during this period.
- A flexible spending account can save you money through lower tax withholdings. You can fund your account through pre-tax contributions from your salary and use the account to pay health care out-of-pocket or dependent care costs.
- You cannot enroll, change your enrollment, or cancel your coverage in these programs outside the Open Season unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event.
Most FEHB plans will see benefit and rate changes for the upcoming year. Some plans are dropping out of the program and others are changing their service areas or coverage options. See the Benefits Administration Letter for Significant Plan Changes.
Check your plan’s brochure for more information.
No dental and vision plans have left the FEDVIP program or changed their service areas.
Check your plan’s brochures for how benefits have changed for next year
- You will continue to be covered by your present health insurance plan, unless your plan is dropping out of the FEHB or reducing it's service area. See the Benefits Administration Letter for Significant Plan Changes. However, your benefits, premiums, or coverage options may change.
- You will continue to be covered by your present dental and/or vision insurance plan. However, your benefits and/or premiums may change.
- If you already have an FSAFEDS account, it will not continue automatically; you must reenroll.
- You can not enroll, change your enrollment, or cancel your coverage in these programs outside the Open Season unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event.
- Health insurance premiums
- Dental and vision insurance premiums
- FSAFEDS: FSAFEDS is completely free to participants. On average, participants save 30% on their eligible expenses.
You can find information on:
- Benefits in the individual plan brochures.
- OPM Plan Comparison Tools for health plans and dental and vision plans
- Consumer's Checkbook Comparison Tool
- BENEFEDS FEDVIP Plan Comparison Tool
- Health Care FSA Savings Calculator
- The FEHB and FEDVIP plans available in each state, premium rates, selected benefits, health plan consumer satisfaction survey results, and links to other health plan quality indicators at Healthcare Plan Information, Dental Plan Information, and Vision Plan Information
- Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- FEDVIP and FEHB Plan Changes for the Upcoming Benefit Year: See the Benefits Administration Letter for Significant Plan Changes.
The Federal Employees Health Benefits health plan brochures are available online. Once you're there, you'll see a map of the United States. When you click on the state where you live, three charts will appear with all the available plans for your state and links to health plan brochures. Simply find your plan and click the link to your plan's brochure.
If you need assistance or have a question, contact your human resources office or your agency’s shared service center. Your agency should have provided you contact information.
If after contacting your human resources office or shared service center you still need assistance, contact your agency's headquarters level agency Benefit Officer.
There are several items that can help you understand the relationship between the three Programs and help you choose an FEHB plan, FEDVIP plan and/or an FSAFEDS allotment amount.
- Compare plan benefits and out-of-pockets costs: