Posted on Friday, 11th November 2022 by

Print This Post Print This Post
Share

Forward this article to others that can use this “Open Season” information.

Open season runs from November 14th through December 12th.  Our Federal Employee’s Health Benefit (FEHB) plan premiums increased an average of 7.2%! There are tools available to evaluate provider options, compare costs, select your 2023 plan, and submit changes to OPM. Use the following resources to make an informed decision for you and your family’s health care needs.

FEHB Open Season

Obtain Copies of Plan Guides

Active Employees

  • Request hard copies of desired plan brochures through your benefits coordinator. If you don’t know who that is talk with your supervisor.
  • Download plan brochures from OPM’s website.
  • Request copies direct from plan providers. I typically request and receive brochures direct from GEHA and Blue Cross Blue Shield weeks before they are available on the OPM site.

Annuitants (Retirees)

  • Sign up for FEHB Open Season Online – This site is devoted to federal annuitants. Request plan brochures to be mailed to your home address or you can download brochures to your computer. You must register to use this site and annuitants can change enrollments online.
  • Download plan brochures from OPM’s website.
  • Request copies direct from plan providers.




Determine Plan Costs – 2023 FEHB Plan Rates (All rates are now posted online).

Compare Plans

Use OPM’s FEHB Plan Comparison Tool and Consumers’ Checkbook 2023 Guide to Health Plans to find the best FEHB plan for your needs. The Consumers’ Checkbook Guide is available in print and online formats.

Checkbook’s Guide helps active and retired federal employees find a FEHB plan that meets their needs at a cost they can afford. By answering a few questions, a personalized cost estimate is provided for each plan that includes the premium plus expected out-of-pocket costs.

For retirees, Checkbook’s Guide provides a yearly cost estimate for every FEHB plan with Medicare Part A only and a separate estimate with Medicare parts A and B. This allows users to see which plans coordinate best with Medicare, the cost reduction of adding Medicare Part B, and whether the FEHB plan offers Medicare Part B premium rebates.

  • Importantly, the Checkbook Guide reviews FEHB Medicare Advantage plan options which can be less expensive for many retirees.  

Order Checkbook’s guide at Guidetohealthplans.org and save 20% by entering promo code FEDRETIRE at checkout. The Guide will be released online no later than the first day of Open Season. Print books will be mailed the week prior to the start of Open Season.

Use these two excellent tools to drill down and find the plan best suited for your personal situation. Review individual FEHB brochures, they provide the plan’s official statement of benefits.

Changing Enrollment

Annuitants (Retirees)

  • Annuitants can change plans online at FEHB Open Season Online. The online service is easy to use and you can track your change submissions.
  • Call Open Season Express 1-800-332-9798.
  • Send regular mail (Postmarked no later than final date of Open Season) to:

Office of Personnel Management
Open Season Processing Center
P.O. Box 5000
Lawrence, KS 66046-0500

When sending requests by mail clearly state your Open Season request. If you are making an enrollment change, tell OPM the plan you want, type of coverage (Self Only, Self Plus One or Family), and the enrollment code. You must include your annuity claim number and social security number on your request. If you are choosing Self Plus One or Family coverage, OPM will also need your dependent and other insurance information.

Federal Employees

Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)

Dental and vision benefits are available to eligible Federal and Postal employees, retirees, and their eligible family members. Enrollment takes place during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season in November and December. New and newly eligible employees can enroll within the 60 days after they become eligible.

Register online at www.BENEFEDS.com to review and download plan brochures, use their plan comparison tool, and to initiate a change or cancel enrollment. If you aren’t a registered user sign up now. You will be able to review your Dental, Vision, Long Term Care and Flexible Spending accounts. Enrollees can initiate changes during open season, when there is a life event change, or to cancel coverage at any time.

For enrollment/premium questions regarding dental and vision insurance, contact BENEFEDS at 1(877) 888-3337.

Medicare Impact on FEHB Plans

Review the following articles that describe the impact Medicare has on your FEHB provider payments.

Summary

Last year OPM reported that a very small percentage, less than 3%, of FEHB enrollees changed plans last year. This year may be different. Even though the average FEHB premium increase was 7.2%, many plans increased prices 10% or more. With high Medicare Part B premiums and inflation increasing the cost of everything, it pays to seek out the best coverage for the lowest possible price.

If you are considering a FEHB Medicare Advantage Plan there may be coverage and provider availability issues to consider. You have to use preferred providers in their network and because the plan becomes your primary provider, not Medicare, certain preapprovals or authorizations may be required for treatment. Ensure your doctors are on their list and that approved medical facilities are available in your area.

Use the comparison tools mentioned in this article to evaluate your options and contact the plans of interest for clarifications if needed.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspect of unique or special circumstances, federal regulations, medical procedures, and benefit information are subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact relevant parties for assistance including OPM’s retirement center. Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult with a financial, medical or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Last 5 posts by Dennis Damp

Tags: , , ,
Posted in BENEFITS / INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCE / TIP, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION | Comments (2)


Print This Post Print This Post

2 Responses to “2023 FEHB Plan Selection Guide”

  1. James Scott Guild Says:
    November 23rd, 2022 at 10:49 am

    Denis Damp and Aetna MA plan through FEHB. Is this Z26 MA plan available to all federal retirees with medicare A & B coverage or just certain states?

  2. Dennis Damp Says:
    November 24th, 2022 at 11:48 am

    The Z26 plan is avaibable in most if not all States. Go to https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/plans/ and select your State. If Aetna Advantage – Z2 i slisted under State Specific HMO, HDHP and CDHP Plans you will be covered. Here is a link to their brochure: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/plans/BrochureJson?brochureNumber=73-906&year=2023. I will be publishig an article soon that will feature the Medicare Advantage Plans.