Your Open Season Questions, Answered.

It’s open season for federal employees to make adjustments to health care and other benefits, and the Office of Personnel Management wants to help feds make the right choices.

OPM on Monday held a digital town hall, with experts from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program and the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program on hand to answer questions from current and former workers.

Open Season began Nov. 10 and runs through Dec. 8. Typically between 4 percent and 7 percent of enrollees switch plans each year. More than 25,000 federal employees and retirees have been forced to find new health insurance for 2015, as their carriers dropped plans from FEHBP.  

Here are some of the questions highlighted by OPM at the town hall:

Why are costs increasing so much in 2015?

On average, federal employees will pay 3.8 percent more for their insurance premiums in 2015, while the average plan overall will jump 3.2 percent. Alan Spielman, OPM’s assistant director of Federal Employee Insurance Operations, said the increase was actually quite low, and it “compares favorably” to the private sector. Speilman quoted a recent survey that found the average premium at large employers will go up 6.5 percent next year.

When will those choosing new plans begin their new coverage?

For current employees, their new FEHBP coverage will begin Jan. 11, while new FEDVIP coverage will kick in Jan. 1. Retirees will receive their new coverage Jan. 1. There will be no coverage gap, as enrollees’ old plans will continue until the new coverage begins.

Where should enrollees go to find the best plan for them?

Amber Hudson, who works in OPM’s FEHBP office, said enrollees should visit Plan Smart Choice to estimate total health care costs and create a side-by-side comparison of different options available.

How much money can feds save by opening an FSAFEDS account?

Dave Johnston, who works in OPM’s flexible spending account office, said the tax benefit typically creates a 30 percent discount for enrollees.

“Think of it as a Black Friday discount,” Johnston said.

Only current employees are eligible for FSAFEDS, and 330,000 workers are enrolled.

How can enrollees determine which procedures are eligible for FSAFEDS reimbursement?

Johnston directed enrollees to the Eligible Expenses Jukebox to see for which procedures employees can pay using their FSAs.  He said acupunctures and babysitters could be covered, for example, depending on the type of account. Not all elective surgeries, such as cosmetic, are covered, but Lasik surgery is eligible.

If a spouse loses insurance coverage outside of Open Season, can employees change their status from self-only to self plus family?

Yes, loss of coverage is considered a “qualifying life event.” Other qualifying events include marriage, divorce and having a child.

 Is there any information available for a new federal employee enrolling for the first time?

There is, and it can be found clicking here.

What other informational tools are available?

Enrollees can compare different plans on FEDVIP at this part of OPM’s site.  To see potential out-of-pocket costs for each FEHBP plan, check out the program’s brochure. For general information and videos, OPM officials directed enrollees to the agency’s general Open Season website. They also suggested contacting your individual agency’s human resources office for specific information on a particular plan. 

(Image via  piotr_pabijan / Shutterstock.com)