The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season begins Monday, November 13, 2023, and continues through Monday, December 11, 2023. During this period, you may:
• enroll
• change plans or options
• change between self-only, self plus one, and self and family
• cancel your enrollment
• change your premium conversion option
Outside of Open Season, these options will only be available under limited situations. Open Season elections will be effective Sunday, January 14, 2024.
Eligibility
All permanent Federal civilian employees are eligible. You are also eligible if you are on one of the following appointments:
• temporary appointment for at least 90 days
• seasonal schedule working less than six months per year, but at least 90 days
• intermittent schedule and expected to work at least 130 hours per month or more for at least 90 days.
Family members eligible for coverage include your spouse (including a valid common law marriage) and children under age 26, including legally adopted children, recognized natural (born out of wedlock) children and stepchildren. Children age 26 or older who incapable of self-support are also eligible, if the disabling condition began before age 26.
There are three options: Self-only, Self plus One, and Self and Family
Note: IRTA, Visiting Fellows, Special Volunteers or others covered under health insurance offered through the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES) are not covered under this Open Season. Also, members of the PHS Commissioned Corp are not covered under this program.
For additional information, refer to OPM’s eligibility page.
Next steps
If satisfied with your current plan: Review the 2024 Plan Information and premium rates to make certain you want to continue with your plan. If you are still satisfied, do nothing. Your coverage will automatically continue, subject to any plan changes. (Note: If you are enrolled in a “Self and Family” enrollment and you are covering only one eligible family member, you should consider changing to a “Self Plus One” enrollment if the premium is less. See the chart below for plans with higher premiums.)
If you would like to start, stop or change your enrollment: Review the plans to see what plan will best meet your needs. Open season elections MUST be made through *myPay. After you submit your Open Season election, click on the option that allows you to print the confirmation of your election.
*Exception: If you are retiring between now and January 13, 2024, do not use myPay to make your Open Season election. Instead, submit a hardcopy Health Benefits Election Form, SF 2809, with your retirement paperwork to your Benefits Specialist.
Accessing myPay
To access myPay you will need PIV card or your Login and Password. If you have misplaced your login information, click the “Forgot Your Login ID?” or “Forgot or Need a Password?” link on the right side of the myPay website. Follow the instructions provided. You can access additional information here.
If you encounter any problems accessing myPay, contact DFAS Customer Support at 1-888-332-7411. The line is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.
Effective date
All Open Season elections, as well as new premium rates, will be effective January 14, 2024. Elections will be reflected on your Leave and Earnings Statement for the pay date of February 2, 2024
Report any problems to your timekeeper or your Benefits Specialist.
Plan comparisons
| Plan Code Name | Plan Code Option | Plan Code | Service Area Description | Enrollee Premium – Self Plus One | Enrollee Premium – Self and Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rural Carrier Benefit Plan | High | 38 | Nationwide | $251.57 | $234.11 |
| NALC Health Benefit Plan | High | 32 | Nationwide | $255.86 | $221.79 |
| Foreign Service Benefit Plan | High | 40 | Nationwide | $211.30 | $204.38 |
| UPMC Health Plan | Standard | UW | Western Pennsylvania | $213.42 | $209.49 |
| Aetna HealthFund HDHP | HDHP | 22 | Nationwide | $272.59 | $230.06 |
| Aetna HealthFund CDHP and Aetna Value Plan | CDHP | F5 | All of Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Washington, DC, and most of Florida, Virginia, Louisiana, Tennessee, West Virginia, Alabama, and Arkansas | $517.41 | $468.78 |
| Aetna HealthFund CDHP and Aetna Value Plan | Value | F5 | All of Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Washington, DC, and most of Florida, Virginia, Louisiana, Tennessee, West Virginia, Alabama, and Arkansas | $474.49 | $436.05 |
| Aetna HealthFund CDHP and Aetna Value Plan | CDHP | EP | All of Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Vermont, Delaware, Connecticut, and Most of Massachusetts and New York | $679.87 | $632.85 |
| Aetna HealthFund CDHP and Aetna Value Plan | Value | EP | All of Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Vermont, Delaware, Connecticut, and Most of Massachusetts and New York | $559.93 | $523.20 |
| Aetna HealthFund CDHP and Aetna Value Plan | CDHP | H4 | All of Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Wyoming, Most of Kentucky, Oregon, Minnesota, North Dakota, Mississippi, Idaho, Illinois and South/Southeast/Western MT Areas | $349.41 | $298.51 |
| Aetna HealthFund CDHP and Aetna Value Plan | Value | H4 | All of Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Wyoming, Most of Kentucky, Oregon, Minnesota, North Dakota, Mississippi, Idaho, Illinois and South/Southeast/Western MT Areas | $569.32 | $532.75 |
| Aetna HealthFund CDHP and Aetna Value Plan | CDHP | G5 | All of Arizona, Colorado, and Michigan. Albuquerque/Dona Ana/Hobbs Area, Las Vegas Area, and Rapid City/Sioux Falls Area. Most of Kansas, Missouri, Utah, and Washington. | $790.97 | $745.05 |
| Aetna HealthFund CDHP and Aetna Value Plan | Value | G5 | All of Arizona, Colorado, and Michigan. Albuquerque/Dona Ana/Hobbs Area, Las Vegas Area, and Rapid City/Sioux Falls Area. Most of Kansas, Missouri, Utah, and Washington. | $377.85 | $337.44 |
| Aetna Open Access | High | P3 | Southern NJ, Philadelphia, PA and Kent/New Castle/Sussex areas (DE) | $1,415.12 | $1,375.44 |
| Aetna Open Access | Basic | P3 | Southern NJ, Philadelphia, PA and Kent/New Castle/Sussex Areas (DE) | $1,357.83 | $1,317.62 |
| Aetna Open Access | High | YE | Pittsburgh and Western PA Areas | $888.75 | $843.82 |
| Aetna Open Access | High | JN | Northern/Central/Southern Maryland Areas, Northern Virginia Areas, and Washington DC Areas | $814.85 | $769.20 |
| Aetna Open Access | High | JC | NYC Area/Upstate NY | $1,404.62 | $1,364.85 |
| Aetna Open Access | Basic | JC | NYC Area/Upstate NY | $1,136.89 | $1,094.43 |
| Kaiser Permanente - Georgia | High | F8 | Atlanta Metropolitan Area, Athens, Columbus, Macon, Savannah | $379.95 | $320.27 |
| Kaiser Permanente - Mid-Atlantic States | High | E3 | Northern Virginia, Metropolitan Baltimore and Washington, DC Areas | $358.13 | $298.45 |
2024 Significant Plan Changes
To view detailed information on the significant plan changes, view Benefits Administration Letter 23-401 on the Office of Personnel Management website.
Plans leaving the FEHB program
Enrollees in these terminating plans must make a positive election into another FEHB plan during Open Season, or they will be enrolled in GEHA Indemnity Benefit Plan, Elevate Option, 254/256/255 Plan Codes (the lowest-cost nationwide plan option for 2024 as determined by OPM).
- Humana Health Plan (Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, ) – This plan is leaving the FEHB Program.
- UnitedHealthcare (Florida, Georgia) – This plan is leaving the FEHB Program for certain counties.
- Indiana University Health Plans Select (Indiana) – This plan is leaving the FEHB Program for certain counties.
- Aetna Open Access (Kansas, Missouri – This plan is leaving the FEHB Program for certain counties.
- AultCare Insurance Company (Ohio) – This plan is leaving the FEHB Program for certain counties.
Plans Reducing Service Areas and Terminating Enrollment Codes
Enrollees in these terminating plans must make a positive election into another FEHB plan during Open Season, or they will be enrolled in GEHA Indemnity Benefit Plan, Elevate Option, 254/256/255 Plan Codes (the lowest-cost nationwide plan option for 2024 as determined by OPM).
- UnitedHealthcare (Iowa, Kentucky) – Certain enrollment codes are leaving the FEHB Program.
Plans Terminating Options and Enrollment Codes
Enrollees in the plan’s terminating option will be automatically enrolled into the plan option that is identified below unless they enroll in another plan during Open Season.
- NALC Health Benefit Plan (Nationwide) - Terminating enrollment codes KM1, KM3, and KM2. Will automatically be enrolled in 324, 326, or 325.
- Medical Mutual of Ohio (Ohio) – Terminating enrollment codes YF4, YF6, YF5, F11, F13, and F12. Will automatically be enroll in YF1, YF3, and YF2.
Plans Reducing Service Areas and Terminating Enrollment Codes
Enrollees in the areas being dropped who do not change health plans during Open Season will only have emergency services where they live, and they will have to travel to their plan’s remaining service area to obtain medical care in order to receive full benefits from the plan in 2024.
- BlueShield of California (California) – Enrollment codes S11, S13, and S12; Areas dropped Fresno, Kern, Kings, and Santa Barbara Counties.
- Kaiser Permanente (Colorado) – Enrollment codes of 651, 653, 652, 654, 656, 655, N41, N43, and N42; Areas dropped Crowley, Custer, Huerfano, Las Animas, Lincoln, Morgan, and Otero Counties.
Plans Adding New Options and Enrollment Codes
- Compass Rose Health Plan (Nationwide) – Only available to employees and annuitants of specific agencies.
- Kaiser Permanente (Colorado) – All of Adams, Arapahoe, Clear Creek, El Paso, Elbert, Fremont, and Park Counties
- Capital Health Plan (Florida) – Madison and Taylor Counties
- Health Alliance Plan (Michigan) – Barry, Gratiot, Kent Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa Counties.
- Health Partners (South Dakota) – All of Butte, Custer, Lawrence, Meade, and Pennington Counties.
New Plans Entering the FEHB Program
- Compass Rose Health Plan (Nationwide) – Only available to employees and annuitants of specific agencies.
- Sentara Health Plans (Virginia) – Enrollment codes F21, F23, and F22; covering certain counties.
Service Area Change – County/Zip Code (Due to USPS Border Changes)
- Kaiser Permanente – Mid-Atlantic (Maryland) – New service area zip codes 20736 and 20758.
Closed Plans Changing Enrollment Criteria for New Eligible Enrollment
- Compass Rose Health Plan (Nationwide) – Enrollment open to all employees and annuitants of the Veterans Affairs.
Resources
Comparison tools
Premium Conversion
Premium Conversion is the ability to pay your health insurance premium with pre-tax dollars. All eligible employees are automatically covered under premium conversion. During Open Season, you have the option to opt-out. Premium conversion does limit your ability to cancel FEHB or to change your coverage from self and family or self plus one to self-only coverage.
TRICARE and health benefits
If you have TRICARE coverage and are now a civilian Federal employee not enrolled in a Federal plan, you should be aware that TRICARE coverage terminates when you become eligible for Medicare (usually age 65). You may wish to enroll in a Federal health plan during the Open Season before you retire as a civilian Federal employee so that you may continue health coverage into retirement.
TRICARE coverage counts towards meeting the requirements of having Federal health insurance coverage for the last 5 years of Federal service prior to retirement. You should also be aware that if you become age 65 while you are still employed, event number “1M” on the Table of Permissible Changes allows you to enroll in FEHB when you lose your TRICARE coverage.
For information, visit the TRICARE website.
Questions
Call the individual plans for specific plan information such as covered services, exclusions or limitations.
For all other questions, email AskBenefits@nih.gov or your Benefits Contact.