[1]Open season runs from November 10th through December 8th. Tools are available to evaluate provider options, select your 2025 plan, and submit changes to OPM.
Most FEHB plans will see benefit and rate changes for the upcoming year. Some plans are dropping out of the program, and others are changing their service areas or coverage options. Review your plan carefully.
Comparing 2026 Healthcare Plans to their Medicare Advantage (MA) Option [2]
Discontinued Plans
There are six FEHB plans (8 options) that will not be available in 2026:
- NALC Health Benefit Plan CDHP
- NALC Health Benefit Plan Standard
- Health Alliance HMO Standard
- AvMed Health Plan HDHP
- AvMed Health Plan Standard
- Independent Health High
- Blue Care Network of Michigan High
- Priority Health High
There is one PSHB plan (two options) that will not be available in 2026:
- GEHA Indemnity Benefit Plan Elevate Plus
- GEHA Indemnity Benefit Plan Elevate
Participants in those plans must select a new plan during Open Season, or they’ll be automatically transitioned into a designated default plan:
- For FEHB, the default plan is GEHA Benefit Plan-High Option.
- For PSHB, the default plan is Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan – FEP Blue Focus.
- In FEDVIP, the Health Partners Dental Plan will no longer be offered. Enrollees must select a new dental plan to maintain coverage in the 2026 Plan year.
Getting Started
Health, dental, and vision enrollment will automatically continue from year to year unless a participant chooses to make a change during Open Season. However, FSAFEDS requires re-enrollment each year for eligible employees who wish to continue participation in the next plan year.
With the advent of FEHB/PSHB-affiliated Medicare Advantage plans [3], there are many options to evaluate that may provide reduced costs for many. However, there are certain limitations with these plans that you must be aware of before enrolling.
Use the following resources to select your 2026 health care plans.
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, ask your supervisor.
- Download plan brochures from the OPM website [4].
- Request copies directly from plan providers. I typically request and receive brochures directly from GEHA and Blue Cross Blue Shield weeks before they are available on the OPM site.
Annuitants (FEHB Retirees)
- Sign up for FEHB Open Season Online [5]– This site is devoted to federal annuitants. Request that healthcare plan brochures be mailed to your home address or downloaded to your computer. You must register to use this site, and annuitants can change enrollments online.
- Download plan brochures from the OPM website [4].
- Request copies directly from plan providers.
PSHB (Employees & Annuitants)
- Visit the PSHB Open Season [6]
- Request brochures from providers of interest.
Plan Premiums for 2026
- FEHB Premiums [7]
- PSHB Premiums [8]
- FEDVIP Premiums [9] (Dental and Vision Care)
Comparing Plans
How to Compare FEHB / PSHB Plans to their Medicare Advantage (MA) Option [2]
Use OPM’s Health Care Comparison Tool [10] and Consumers’ Checkbook 2026 Guide to FEHB Health Plans to find the best plan for your needs.
Checkbook’s Guide helps active and retired federal employees find a FEHB plan that meets their needs at a cost they can afford. Answering a few questions provides a personalized cost estimate for each plan, including the premium plus expected out-of-pocket costs.
For retirees, this guide provides a yearly cost estimate for every plan with Medicare Part A only and a separate estimate for plans with Medicare Parts A and B. Users can see how each plan coordinates with Medicare, the cost reduction of adding Medicare Part B, and whether the plan offers Medicare Part B premium rebates. They also reviewed FEHB Medicare Advantage plan options, which can be less expensive for many retirees.
Pre-order Checkbook’s 2026 Guide to Healthcare Plans [11] for federal and postal employees; save 20% by entering promo code FEDRETIRE at checkout. Their Guide and OPM’s comparison tool will be available on the first day of the open season.
Additional PSHB comparison tools:
- Active USPS employees should go to usps.gov [12] to find the comparison tool.
- Retired USPS employees can use KeepingPosted [13] to find the comparison tool.
Use these excellent tools to drill down and find the plan that best suits your situation. Review individual FEHB & PSHB brochures; they provide the plan’s official benefits statement.
Changing Enrollment
Annuitants (Retirees)
- FEHB annuitants can change plans online at FEHB Open Season Online [5]. The online service is easy to use, and you can track your submissions for changes.
- PSHB annuitants can change plans online at the PSHB Open Season Online [6] site.
- Call Open Season Express at 1-800-332-9798.
- Send FEHB changes through regular mail (Postmarked no later than the 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, the type of coverage (Self Only, Self Plus One, or Family), and the enrollment code. You must include your annuity claim number and your Social Security number on your request. If you choose Self Plus One or Family coverage, OPM will need your dependents and other insurance information.
Federal Employees
- Enroll online using Employee Express [14].
- Department of Defense employees can enroll using the DoD automated enrollment systems [15].
- Health and Human Services and Department of Veterans Affairs employees can enroll using MyPay [16].
- Department of Energy employees can enroll using the DOE automated systems [17].
- You can submit Standard Form 2809, Employee Health Benefits Election Form [18] (PDF file) [849 KB], to your Human Resources Office. (Unless you are a U.S. Postal Service employee)
- Postal Service employees can access the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program enrollment center [19] during this Open Season
- Tribal Employees Open Season [20]
- Uniformed Services Open Season [21]
Postal employees
Sign in to your online account at the Lite Blue USPS employee portal [22] to manage your benefits.
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 on an enrollee-pay-all basis. Enrollment occurs during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season in November and December. New and newly eligible employees can enroll within 60 days of becoming eligible.
Please register online at www.BENEFEDS.com [23] to review and download plan brochures, use their plan comparison tool, and initiate a change or cancel enrollment. If you aren’t a registered user, sign up now. You can review your Dental, Vision, Long Term Care, and Flexible Spending [24] accounts. Enrollees can initiate changes during the open season, when a life event change [25]s, or 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 / PHSB Plans
Review the following articles that describe the impact Medicare has on your FEHB provider payments.
- A Marriage of Convenience – Medicare & FEHB [26]
- Medicare Advantage Plans [3] (Heads Up for the Upcoming Open Season)
- Medicare PSHB Medicare Part B Requirements [27]
- Medicare and FEHB Options – What Will You Do When You Turn 65? [28]
- What to Consider Before Enrolling in Medicare B [29]
- How to Delay Part B Premiums [30]
Summary
With the costs of most things rising, it’s prudent to seek ways to save. Fortunately, there are lower-cost FEHB and PSHB options to consider that offer excellent coverage.
The task can be daunting for most because of the sheer volume of material available from literally every provider. Thankfully, there are exceptional comparison tools to help us through the process.
Prescription Drug Costs – Major Price Cuts Coming [31]
Today, there are many healthcare choices to consider; the options drive my wife and I crazy as we scrutinize everything available! Take your time this open season to select the best healthcare plan for your family, including prescription drug coverage.
Helpful Retirement Planning Tools
[32]
- Financial Planning Guide for Federal Employees and Annuitants [33]
- TSP Guide [34]
- Budget Worksheet [35]
- Retirement Planning for Federal Employees & Annuitants [36]
- The Ultimate Retirement Planning Guide – Start Now [37]
- Deciding When To Retire – A 7-Step Guide [38]
- 2026 Federal Employees’ Leave Chart [39]
- Medicare Guide [40]
- Social Security Guide [41]
[42]The information contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
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