FEHB Premiums, Number of Plans Rise

The average enrollee premium in the FEHB will rise 4.4 percent in 2014, about the same as the last two years, although as always there will be substantial variation in that average, with some increases much higher and other decreasing. The number of plan choices will increase to a total of 256, reflecting four new plans and expansions of coverage areas in five existing plans, overcoming two plan dropouts (Physicians Health Plan in Michigan and Blue Choice in New York) and restrictions in service areas by several others. The annual announcement comes in advance of the open season which this year will begin November 11. OPM said the terms of plan coverage are little changed, although there is a continued push for wellness programs and prescription drug cost controls, along with some new screening and counseling benefits. Premiums in the FEDVIP program on average will rise by 1 percent for dental plans and drop by 1.3 percent for vision plans, with three new plans in the dental category bringing the total there to 10 and one new vision plan bringing that total to four.