Open Season
for 1998:
Navigating the Web Site
This Web site was designed to be easy to use with a graphical browser such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. An alternative set of pages with reduced functionality is available from a link on the FEHB Main Page that is invisible in a graphical browser, but prominently displayed in a non-graphical browser such as Lynx.
GETTING BASIC INFORMATION
The Basics page gives you information about the plans, the Open Season, or how to navigate this Web site.
Each page will have at least one hyperlink back to the FEHB Main Page. The initial pages will have links in the left column and at the bottom of the page, while the content pages, particularly those containing the large tables, will contain links at both the top and bottom of the document.
CHOOSING A PLAN
There are over 500 different plans because each of the carriers must provide a plan that conforms to the requirements of the state in which service is provided. There are two basic methods for selecting a plan. If you already know what plan you wish to examine, you can choose the FAST TRACK option from the FEHB Main Page, and enter either the plan name or the plan number, and you will be connected to a page that allows you to download the brochure.
If you don't know which plan is best for you, choose the SHOW ME MY CHOICES option from the FEHB Main Page. You will then have the opportunity to see the nationwide plans or to select a state to see all the plans that are offered in your state.
Information for the state plans is shown in four tables that are linked together with buttons. The tables show general information (General), describe Benefits, display Quality Satisfaction information (Quality), and show Rates.
OBTAINING THE BROCHURE
Each of the plans is described in a brochure. In the tables (both for nationwide and state plans), there are icons in the cell with the name of the plan. One icon (PDF) is used to download the brochure in PDF format, and the other is used to download the brochure in HTML (text-only) format.
GETTING HELP
OPM's Office of Insurance Programs has made every effort to enable this Web site to help you select the best health insurance program for your needs. If, however, there is something that is not clear to you, or seems to be missing or incorrect, you should seek assistance as soon as possible due to the limited period of open enrollment.
Within the pages of this Web site, there will be words and phrases which will be hyperlinked to a definition in the Glossary page. There will also be a link to the Glossary page at the bottom (and sometimes at the top and/or in the left column) of each page.
You can also direct questions about the Health Benefits programs to your Personnel Office, or to the Office of Insurance Programs at our <Feedback Page>. Questions about the Web site itself should be directed through our <Feedback Page>.
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Updated 5 November 1997