Expert's View

Hail and farewell to the title Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season. This year and from now on it will be called the Federal Benefits Open Season. That’s because the open season period isn’t just for the FEHB program anymore. Now that same period also allows for decisions about two additional benefits programs: the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS). Therefore, from now on, open season material will include information on all three programs.

Just to refresh your memory, OPM has provided such clear and concise descriptions for each of the three programs that it would be foolish not to let the horse’s mouth speak for itself:

FEHB

The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program offers a wide variety of types of plans and options of coverage to help meet enrollee’s health care needs. Eligible enrollees can choose from among fee-for-service plans, health maintenance organizations, point-of-service products, high-deductible, and consumer-driven health plans. The FEHB is group coverage and includes employees, retirees, and their dependents.

FEDVIP

The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program provides comprehensive dental and vision insurance. The program allows dental and vision insurance to be purchased on a group basis, which means competitive premiums and no pre-existing condition limitations. FEDVIP is group coverage on an enrollee pay all basis and is available to federal employees, retirees, and their eligible family members. There are seven (7) dental and three (3) vision preferred provider organization (PPO) plans from which to choose, including regional, national and international coverage.

FSAFEDS

The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program, known as FSAFEDS, is available to most employees in the executive branch and employees of other agencies that have adopted the program. FSAFEDS can help employees save money by allowing them to set aside pre-tax funds to pay for eligible out-of-pocket dependent-care and health-care expenses. The Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) reimburses non-medical expenses associated with the care of children under age 13, or dependents who are unable to care for themselves. It does not reimburse dependent health-care expenses. The Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) covers eligible health-care expenses for the employee and his/her spouse and eligible dependents. Employees covered by the High Deductible Health care Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) may enroll in a Limited Expense HCFSA (LEX HCFSA) for their eligible dental and vision expenses.

FYI, this year’s Federal Benefits Open Season will be held from Monday, November 12, 2007, through Monday, December 10, 2007.