U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce

Welcome to the 2010 Federal Benefits Open Season.
This year’s Open Season will run from
November 9 through December 14, 2009.

What is Open Season?

The opportunity for you to choose health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for 2010, and whether contributing to a health and/or dependent care flexible spending account will save you money by using pre-tax contributions to pay your out-of-pocket costs. You should review your options for the following programs:

• Health Insurance: Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program,
• Dental Insurance: Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
• Vision Insurance: Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), and
• Health Care Flexible Spending Account: Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS). (EMPLOYEES ONLY)
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account: Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS). (EMPLOYEES ONLY)

Why is Open Season important to me?

• Most FEHB plans will see benefit and rate changes for 2010. Some plans are dropping out of the program and others are changing their service areas or coverage options [124 KB]. 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 can not enroll, change your enrollment, or cancel your coverage in these programs outside the Open Season unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event.

What happens if I do nothing during Open Season?

• 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 [124 KB]. 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.

How much do these Programs cost?

• 2010 health insurance premiums
• 2010 dental insurance premiums
• 2010 vision insurance premiums
• 2010 FSAFEDS contribution amounts

How do I enroll this Open Season?

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• FSAFEDS

Where can I get details on the choices available to me?

• You can find information on:
• benefits in the individual plan brochures.
• health plan brochures
• dental plan brochures
• vision plan brochures
• 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 in the 2010 Guide to Federal Benefits.
• Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account.
• plans that stopped participating in the FEHB Program or changed their service area or options. [124 KB]

What can help me make decisions during this Open Season?

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:
• health plans
• dental plans
• vision plans
• "The 2009 Federal Benefits Open Season is Coming" FastFacts [36 KB]
• "What to Consider During Open Season" FastFacts [33 KB]
• "Got Quality Healthcare?" FastFacts [25 KB]
• FSAFEDS Savings Calculator
• FSAFEDS Eligible Expenses Jukebox

Health	Dental	Vision	Flexible Spending Accounts
Provides health insurance benefits to about 8 million Federal enrollees and dependents. More Info | Enroll	Allows dental insurance to be purchased on a group basis which means competitive premiums and no pre-existing condition limitations. More Info | Enroll	Allows vision insurance to be purchased on a group basis which means competitive premiums and no pre-existing condition limitations. More Info | Enroll	Flexible Spending Accounts enable eligible employees to pay for certain medical and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. More Info | Enroll