Fedweek

Next Monday (December 14) is the last day of the current open season for electing or changing coverage in the FEHB and FEDVIP programs for 2016. If enrollees make no changes they will remain in the same plans next year, subject to new premium rates and coverage terms. Before the deadline arrives, experts advise that enrollees should, at the minimum: make sure that their plan is remaining available; review the plan’s benefits package (plan brochures contain a page highlighting changes from the prior year); understand what is happening with premiums and out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and copays; check if their preferred physicians and other care providers remain available under the plan; and look into the costs and terms of other plans available to them at least enough to see whether they merit a closer look. Overall, coverage terms are largely stable, as are out-of-pocket costs, but there are some differences that could be important to an individual. Also, as health care needs change another plan might become a better fit.