Skip to page navigation
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

OPM.gov / Insurance / Healthcare / Reference Materials
Skip to main content

Reference Materials

 

Reference Materials Overview

Federal Benefits FastFacts

The Federal Benefits FastFacts provides basic information about the Federal Benefits Programs administered by the Insurance Services Programs at OPM. We will issue FastFacts throughout the year so be sure to check back with us.

Federal Employees Health Benefits Handbook

The FEHB Handbook is a source of detailed guidance on the FEHB Program for both agency officials and enrollees.

Enrollment Form (SF 2809)

The Health Benefits Election Form.

Frequently Asked Questions

See the answers to many questions about the FEHB Program.

Benefits Administration Letters

Keep up to date with the Federal benefits programs.

Quick Guide to FEHB, FEDVIP, FLTCIP, FSAFEDS, and FEGLI

The Quick Guide provides answers to 37 common questions and enables you to see the similarities and differences of these programs.

The FEHB Program and Medicare Booklet

This booklet answers questions about how the FEHB Program and Medicare work together to provide health benefits coverage to active or retired Federal employees coverage by both programs.

Patients' Bill of Rights

In March of 1997, President Clinton appointed the Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry (Commission) to advise him on changes occurring in the health care system. He asked the Commission to recommend measures necessary to promote and assure health care quality and value, and protect consumers and workers in the health care system. The Patients' Bill of Rights is the result of that commission.

Regulations

See the regulations which govern the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

Legislation

Legislation for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

A Handbook for Attorneys on Court-ordered Retirement, Health Benefits and Life Insurance

Attorney Handbook to guide them through court ordered retirement, health benefits and life insurance.

Directory of Agency Headquarters Benefits Officers

A list of the headquarters level agency Benefits Officers.

FedFlex Plan Document

The FedFlex Plan Document that governs pre-tax programs sponsored by OPM, including flexible spending accounts (FSAFEDS), health benefits premium conversion (FEHB), and dental and vision insurance (FEDVIP).

Federal Benefits Open Season Resources

Benefits Administration Letters

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has Government wide responsibility and oversight for Federal benefits administration. These pages contain the  Benefits Administration Letters (BALs) used for program administration. The BALs provide guidance to agencies on various aspects of Federal administration.

For prior year BALs, please visit our BAL pages.

Benefits Administration Letters (BALs)

200 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
24-201 4/2024 Annual Agency Review of FEHB Open Season Actions - Family Member Eligibility
Attachment 1: Family Member Eligibility Review Announcement
Attachment 2: Family Member Eligibility Review Acceptable Documents
Attachment 3: Family Member Eligibility Review Factsheet
Attachment 4: Family Member Eligibility Review Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Attachment 5: Family Member Eligibility Review Random Sample Instructions
Attachment 6: Family Member Eligibility Review Flyer
Attachment 7: Family Member Eligibility Review Report
400 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Announcements
BAL Number Date Subject
2024 BALS in this series have not yet been issued.
600 Series – Insurance Policy and Process Issues for Tribal Employers
BAL Number Date Subject
2024 BALS in this series have not yet been issued.
700 Series – Federal Benefits Open Season Announcements for Tribal Employees
BAL Number Date Subject
2024 BALS in this series have not yet been issued.
800 Series – Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
24-801 2/2024 The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS): 2024 Administrative Fees
900 Series – Long Term Care Insurance Issues
BAL Number Date Subject
2024 BALS in this series have not yet been issued.

For prior year BALs, please visit our BAL pages.

FEHB Regulations

The U.S. Government Printing Office website will allow you to access the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program regulations and link Federal Employees Health Benefits Program regulations.

Once in this website, select Title 5; then select Chapter 1 Parts 700-1199; then select Part 890 for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program or Part 891 for Retired Federal Employees Hleath Benefits.

PDF documents downloaded from this site will be named "get-crf", and will not have the standard .PDF file ending. You will need to either tell your browser to use Adobe Acrobat to read the file, or save it to your hard disk and rename it, including adding the file extension "PDF", in order to view it.

Regulations Documents

Code of Federal Regulations
Title 5 - Administrative Personnel
Chapter I - Office of Personnel Management

Part 890 - Federal employees health benefits program

Back to Top

Part 891 - Retired federal employees health benefits

Back to Top

Legislation

Control Panel