The Federal Benefit Open Season will run from November 10, 2008 through
December 8, 2008

[HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN SEASON FOR 2009 ENROLLMENTS]{.underline}

The Federal Employee Health Benefit, FEHB, open season begins November
10 and ends December 8, 2008.  During this open season, employees may
enroll in a new FEHB plan, cancel enrollment or change current FEHB
enrollment or plan options.

HOW TO MAKE A FEHB CONTRIBUTION ELECTION To make a FEHB open season
change, you may use the NFC Employee Personal Page
[[http://www.nfc.usda.gov]{.underline}](http://www.nfc.usda.gov/) prior
to December 8, 2008 12:00 midnight Eastern time or submit the SF 2809
Election Form to the appropriate Human Resources Division (HRD) at the
following addresses prior to close of business December 8, 2008:

ARS-OA, AFM, BARC, IS, IRP, NAL, NPS, NAA, OTT send to:  USDA, ARS, AFM,
HRD, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705-5104.

ARS-MWA, NPA, PWA send to:  USDA, ARS, AFM, HRD, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue,
Beltsville, MD 20705-5106.

ARS-MSA, SAA, SPA send to USDA, ARS, AFM, HRD, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue,
Beltsville, MD 20705-5105.

CSREES, ERS, NASS send to USDA, ARS, HRD, Stop 0308, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0308.

WHEN ELECTIONS BECOME EFFECTIVE

FEHB open season changes are effective the first full pay period in
January 2009. (January 4, 2009). The FEHB premium change will show on
the leave and earnings statement dated January 29, 2009.

[FSA OPEN SEASON FOR 2009 ENROLLMENTS]{.underline}

Employees also have the option to enroll in the Flexible Spending
Account (FSA) program during open season. There are three types of FSAs:
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA), the Health Care
Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) and the Limited Expense HCFSA (LEX
HCFSA). You may contribute the minimum annual election of \$250 up to a
maximum of \$5000 in both the Dependent Care Spending Account and in the
Health Care Spending Accounts.  Enrollment in FSA Feds does not carry
over from year to year. If employees want to participate in 2009, they
must make a new election.

HOW TO MAKE A FLEXIBLE SPENDING PLAN (FSA) ELECTION From November 10 to
December 8, 2008 you may enroll in both dependent and health care FSA\'s
for the 2009 plan year. You can obtain additional information and enroll
online [[https://www.fsafeds.com]{.underline}](https://www.fsafeds.com/)
or by calling a FSAFEDS Benefits Counselor at 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337),
(TTY: 1-800-952-0450), Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time (they will be open Veteran's Day-November 11, open the day
after Thanksgiving-November 28 from 9am-4pm Eastern time and closed on
Thanksgiving-November 27).

WHEN ELECTIONS BECOME EFFECTIVE 

Flexible Spending Accounts are effective January 1, 2009.

[FEDVIP OPEN SEASON FOR 2009 ENROLLMENTS ]{.underline}

The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
Program open season begins November 10, 2008 and ends December 8, 2008. 
During this open season, employees may enroll, change or disenroll in
your choice of 7 dental plans and/or 3 vision plans.  Employees must be
eligible for the FEHB Program in order to be eligible to enroll in
FEDVIP. It does not matter if they are actually enrolled in
FEHB-eligibility is the key.

HOW TO MAKE A FEDERAL EMPLOYEES DENTAL AND VISION INURANCE PROGRAM
(FEDVIP) ELECTION From November 10 to December 8, 2008 you may obtain
additional information and enroll online
[[https://www.BENEFEDS.com]{.underline}](https://www.benefeds.com/) or
by calling a FEDVIP Benefits Counselor at 1-877-888-FEDS. (TTY:
1-877-889-5680), Monday through Friday during open season, 8:00 a.m.
until 8:00 p.m., and Monday, December 8^th^, 8:00 a.m. until 12:00
midnight Eastern time (they will be open Veteran's Day-November 11 and
closed on Thanksgiving-November 27).

WHEN ELECTIONS BECOME EFFECTIVE 

FEDVIP elections are effective January 1, 2009.