Fedweek

The annual federal benefits open season starts next Monday (November 9) and runs through December 14. During that time, FEHB-eligible persons can change plans or change types or levels of coverage and active employees can enroll if not already in the program. Typically, only several percent of enrollees change plans or levels of enrollment, but this year, potentially up to 1 million of the 4 million enrollees could switch from the family option to the new self plus one option–that’s how many current family enrollments cover only one additional person. Note that the switch is voluntary but not automatic for those in that category; if they want to downgrade from family to self plus one coverage they must elect that change. OPM already has scheduled a special period for the month of February in which active employees who don’t downgrade, but then come to wish they had, will have another opportunity to do so (that won’t apply to retirees since they can decrease coverage at any time). Further, the new option could spur some who currently get coverage elsewhere–through a spouse’s employer-sponsored insurance, for example–to newly enroll, or to upgrade from an existing self-only FEHB enrollment by adding a spouse who has been getting coverage elsewhere. As a reminder, self plus one did not change the policies regarding who is eligible for coverage as a family member. Those with more than one eligible family member also can elect self plus one and choose which one to cover but should bear in mind that anyone else will need to get their health insurance elsewhere.