As earlier announced, the enrollee share of FEHB premiums will rise 7.7 percent on average Image: everydayplus/Shutterstock.com
The annual federal benefits open season starting next Monday (November 13) and running through December 11 provides an opportunity for current enrollees change FEHB health insurance plans’ change levels of coverage, for plans that have more than one; and change among self-only, family and self plus one options.
Eligible employees who are not currently enrolled further can enroll although retirees generally cannot newly unless they are working as reemployed annuitants.
As earlier announced, the enrollee share of FEHB premiums will rise 7.7 percent on average; however, there is variation among plans and premiums in some are essentially flat or decreasing somewhat. There will be 158 plan choices including nationwide plan choices open to all, some available only to certain groups, and the rest available regionally.
Even enrollees happy with their same coverage should look at the offerings, experts advise, since benefits do change somewhat year to year. And within the average premium increase there is variation, with some plan premiums essentially flat or decreasing slightly but others increasing by more than the average.
The most significant change in availability will be the dropout of Humana’s regional plans, which will require about 25,000 enrollees to change plans. If they don’t, they will be placed by default in the GEHA “Elevate” option, the lowest-cost nationwide plan option. Several other regional plans have dropped out, as well.
In addition, enrollees wishing to cover only one eligible family member other than themselves should note that in four dozen plans, premiums for self plus one are more expensive than premiums for family coverage. They are free to enroll in the family option even to cover just that one additional person.
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