2014 Open Season

2014 Open Season for Federal Employees

Active Federal & Postal employees, retirees and their families should be on the look-out for Open Season which starts Monday, November 10, 2014 and continues through Monday, December 8, 2014. Open Season allows Federal Employees to make changes and add a qualified family member to their plan among other things. It is also a time to speak with your carrier and the FEHB representatives in your agency to ask questions and seek counsel about your benefits plan.

The Open Season covers health benefits (FEHB), dental and vision (FEDVIP), the flexible spending account (FSAFEDS). In order to help the process of choosing a suitable plan for you and your family, OPM has compiled a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC). The SBC allows employees to make comparisons in costs, coverage, deductibles, co-pays, and out of pocket limits. The SBC also outlines for employees what services are available and covered and what services are not available and therefore not covered under a particular plan.

OPM offers the SBC for ease of comparison and a short-hand version of the many plans offered to Federal employees. However, in order to get a more detailed understanding of the plans and what they offer, it is always recommended that employees review and evaluate the plan brochure of the provider they are interested in.

There will most likely be a number of health fairs employees can attend in order to gain additional information. Also don’t forget about the use of the website to see what your plan covers. All FEHB plans are on OPM’s website for the convenience of all Federal employees, active and retired.

P. S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.