The annual federal benefits open season will start November 11 and run through December 9. During that time, FEHB-eligible persons can change plans or change types or levels of coverage, with changes effective in January; active employees also can enroll if not already in the program. The open season also allows new enrollments or enrollment changes in the flexible spending account program for active employees and in the FEDVIP vision-dental insurance program for both active and retired employees. The programs operate independently of each other, and enrollment choices can vary—for FEHB and FEDVIP, a self-only enrollment in one but a self-and-family enrollment in the other is allowed, for example. In FEHB and FEDVIP, if an enrollee makes no changes, current enrollment will continue in the upcoming calendar year, subject to any coverage or cost changes. However, a new enrollment is required every year during the open season under the flexible spending account program.
