INSURANCE Being a Federal Employee has its Rewards

Health Insurance - Federal Employees Health Benets Program (FEHB)

Unexpected accidents and illnesses can be expensive. Even routine doctor visits and prescriptions can add 

up. With FEHB, you have 10 or more health plans to choose from. Each plan provides comprehensive 

coverage for you, your spouse, and your children under age 26. It’s competitive; your agency 

contributes to the premium. ere are no waiting periods and no restrictions on 

pre-existing conditions. Cheers to health!

Dental Insurance - Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)

If you want more dental coverage than what your health plan oers, FEDVIP’s comprehensive dental 

insurance can cover you, your spouse, and your unmarried dependent children 

under age 22 for cleanings, x-rays, cavities, children’s orthodontics, and more. With several dental 

plans to choose from, it’s easy to keep your family smiling.

Vision Insurance - Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)

If you want more vision coverage than what your health plan oers, FEDVIP’s comprehensive vision 

insurance can cover you, your spouse, and your unmarried dependent children under age 22 for eye 

exams, glasses, contact lenses, and even laser eye surgery. With vision plans and 

premiums starting below $3 biweekly, you’re looking well.

Life Insurance - Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI)

With FEGLI, your family is protected from burdensome funeral costs and catastrophic income loss if you 

die unexpectedly. You can get coverage from as little as one year’s salary to more than 

six years’ salary and many options in between. You can also get coverage for your spouse and eligible 

children. Now that’s peace of mind you can live with. 

Long Term Care Insurance - Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)

If you cannot perform everyday tasks such as eating, dressing, and bathing because of a chronic illness, injury, 

disability, or aging, long term care insurance can help you pay for the assistance you need. With FLTCIP, you 

and your eligible family members can be protected from this nancial burden that can cost an 

average of $28,000 to $75,000 a year.

Flexible Spending Accounts - Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS)

More than 330,000 Feds use pre-tax dollars to save on their health and dependent care expenses. It’s like a 

30% discount for what your family spends on prescriptions, doctor visits, glasses, 

orthodontics, and other health expenses. It’s also like a 30% discount on daycare 

expenses for your children under age 13 and on daycare for an adult dependent. When you’re in 

FSAFEDS, you’re in the money.

MORE INFO: www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance

is is only a summary of benets. For complete information, visit www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance.
HEALTH INSURANCE

From Check-Ups and Coughs to Transplants and X-Rays 

Unexpected accidents and illnesses can be expensive. Even routine doctor visits and prescriptions can add up. With 

FEHB, you can get comprehensive health insurance coverage for you, your spouse, and your 

children under age 26.

!ere are no waiting periods and no restrictions on pre-existing conditions. No matter where you live, you have 10 or 

more health plans to choose from, each covering:

% Routine physical exams

% Doctor’s office visits

% Specialist visits

% Lab tests

% Prescriptions

% Ambulance services

% Inpatient hospital care

% Surgery

% X-rays

% Maternity care

% Urgent care

% Mental health services

% Stop smoking aids

% Physical therapy

% And more

Who can enroll?

Most Federal employees 

are eligible 

Check with your human 

resources o#ce if you are 

unsure

When can I enroll?

During your "rst 60 days 

as a newly eligible 

employee; or

During the Federal 

Bene"ts Open Season 

(mid-November to 

mid-December); or

When you have a 

qualifying life event 

such as marriage, divorce, 

or birth

How much does it 

cost?

It depends on what plan 

you select

Each pay period, you pay 

about 30% of the 

premium and your 

agency pays about 70%

Generally you also pay 

part of the cost for any 

service you receive

How do I enroll?

Use your agency electronic 

enrollment system, or

visit www.opm.gov/forms 

and submit form 

SF 2809 to your human 

resources o#ce

Online tools can help you select the right plan for your family:

Use the plan comparison tools at www.opm.gov/FEHBcompare

Complete cost and coverage information for each plan available at www.opm.gov/health

MORE INFO: www.opm.gov/health 

!is is only a summary of bene"ts under the FEHB Program. For complete information, review each plan’s brochure.
HEALTH INSURANCE

Do You Have the Right Plan?

Type of Health 

Plan

Features Tradeoffs

Fee-For-Service %

%

See any doctor without referral

Nationwide and worldwide coverage

% You may have to pay 

more out-of-pocket for 

services

% When you use an in-network doctor or 

hospital, you pay less % You may need to file 

claims

HMO %

%

Little paperwork, if any

Limited out-of-pocket costs for 

services

%

%

Must use in-network 

doctors and hospitals

Need a referral to see 

a different provider

High-Deductible

with a Health 

Savings Account

%

%

%

%

%

Covers high-cost medical events

Puts money into an interestbearing Health Savings Account 

(HSA) and lets you add money 

into it

Make tax-free withdraws for 

qualified medical expenses

Portable if you retire or leave 

government

Lower premiums

%

%

%

Higher deductible

Cannot get an HSA if 

you are covered by 

any other health 

plan, including 

Medicare

Can use a medical 

fund (see below) if 

you are ineligible for 

an HSA

Consumer-Driven

with a medical fund

%

%

%

Your health plan puts money into 

a medical fund for you

If your medical expenses for the 

year are less than the amount of 

your medical fund, you pay 

nothing out-of-pocket

Lower premiums

%

%

Must pay deductible 

if your health 

expenses exceed 

the amount of your 

medical fund

Medical fund is not 

portable, not 

interest-bearing, 

and you cannot add 

money to it

When can I change plans? How do I change plans? How can I compare plans?

Federal Benefits Open Season

(mid-November to midDecember), or when you have 

a qualifying life event such as 

marriage, divorce, or birth

Use your agency’s 

electronic enrollment 

system, or submit form SF 

2809 to your human 

resources office 

(www.opm.gov/forms) 

Use the plan comparison tools at

www.opm.gov/FEHBcompare

Review each plan's brochure at 

www.opm.gov/FEHBbrochures 

MORE INFO: www.opm.gov/health 

!is is only a summary of bene"ts under the FEHB Program. For complete information, review each plan’s brochure.
DENTAL INSURANCE

Because the Tooth Fairy Doesn’t Pay for Adult Teeth

If you want more dental coverage than what your health plan oers, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision

Insurance Program (FEDVIP) provides comprehensive dental insurance with no waiting periods

(except orthodontia in some plans). You have several plans to choose from, each covering:

Routine exams 

 and cleanings

X-rays

Crowns

Root canals

Dentures

Fillings

Orthodontics

And more! 

Online tools can help you select the right plan for your family:

Who can enroll?

Most Federal employees 

are eligible 

Contact your human 

resources oce if you are 

unsure of your eligibility

Who is covered by 

my enrollment?

Self Only covers just you

Self Plus One covers you 

and one specied eligible 

family member: your 

spouse or one unmarried 

dependent child under 

age 22

Self and Family covers 

you, your spouse, and 

all your unmarried 

dependent children 

under age 22 listed on 

your enrollment

When can I enroll?

During your rst 60 days 

as a newly eligible 

employee; or

During the Federal 

Benets Open Season 

(mid-November to 

mid-December); or

When you have a 

qualifying life event such 

as losing other dental 

coverage

How much does 

it cost?

It depends on what plan 

you select and where you 

live. Some areas pay 

higher premiums than 

others

Routine basic services like 

exams and cleanings are 

free with your premium 

when you use a network 

dentist. For other 

services, you usually pay 

part of the cost out-ofpocket

Plan comparison tools available at www.opm.gov/FEDVIPcompare

Complete cost and coverage information for each plan available at www.opm.gov/dental

ENROLLMENT INFO: www.benefeds.com or 1-877-888-3337 

is is only a summary of benets under the FEDVIP Program. For complete information, review each plan’s brochure.
VISION

Glasses, Contacts, and Lasery Surgery: We Make you Look Good

If you want more vision coverage than what your health plan oers, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision 

Insurance Program (FEDVIP) provides comprehensive vision insurance for you and your eligible 

family members. You have several plans to choose from, each covering:

Routine eye exams

Contact lenses 

Discounts on laser eye surgery 

Eyeglass frames and lenses

Lens options such as shatter-resistant 

polycarbonate; scratch-resistant,

anti-reective, and UV coatings; and 

tinted and progressive lenses

Who can Who is covered by my When can I enroll? How much does it 

enroll? enrollment? cost?

Most Federal Self Only covers just you During your first 60 It depends on what 

employees are 

eligible Self Plus One covers you 

and one specified eligible 

days as a newly 

eligible employee; or 

plan you select. 

Vision premiums 

start at less than $3 

Contact your family member: your During the Federal biweekly for Self 

human spouse or one unmarried Benefits Open Season Only 

resources office 

if you are unsure 

dependent child under age 

22 

(mid-November 

to mid-December); or All plans provide 

benefits for your of your eligibility Self and Family covers 

you, your spouse, and all 

When you have a 

qualifying life event 

choice of either 

glasses or contacts 

your unmarried dependent such as losing other 

children under age 22 vision coverage

listed on your enrollment 

Online tools can help you select the right plan for your family:

Plan comparison tools available at www.opm.gov/FEDVIPcompare

Complete cost and coverage information for each plan available at www.opm.gov/vision

ENROLLMENT INFO: www.benefeds.com or 1-877-888-3337 

is is only a summary of benets under the FEDVIP Program. For complete information, review each plan’s brochure.
LIFE INSURANCE

Peace of Mind for You and Your Family

Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) can help you protect your loved ones from burdensome 

funeral costs and catastrophic loss of your income if you die unexpectedly.

BASIC

OPTION

A

Amount of Coverage: Your annual salary rounded up to the next even $1,000, plus $2,000

Who is Covered?: You

Cost each biweekly pay period: 15¢ per $1,000 of coverage (Free for postal employees)

Cost increases with age?: No

Newly eligible employees automatically enrolled?: Yes, unless they waive coverage

Amount of Coverage: $10,000

Who is Covered?: You

Cost each biweekly pay period: Starting at 30¢

Cost increases with age?: Yes

Newly eligible employees automatically enrolled?: No, they must elect this coverage 

Amount of Coverage: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 multiples of your salary rounded up to the next even $1,000

Who is Covered?: You

Cost each biweekly pay period: Starting at 2¢ per $1,000 of coverage

Cost increases with age?: Yes 

Newly eligible employees automatically enrolled?: No, they must elect this coverage

Amount of Coverage: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 multiples. Each multiple equals $5,000 for the life of your 

 spouse and $2,500 for the life of each eligible child

Who is Covered?: Your spouse and unmarried dependent children under age 22

Cost each biweekly pay period: Starting at 22¢ per multiple

Cost increases with age?: Yes

Newly eligible employees automatically enrolled?: No, they must elect this coverage

OPTION

B

OPTION

C

I want to... When can I do this? How can I do this? 

Enroll or increase 

coverage 

• First 60 days as a new or newly 

eligible employee; or 

• Within 60 days after a life event 

(marriage, divorce, death of spouse,

acquire an eligible child); or 

• Life insurance Open Season (not 

annual - infrequent); or 

• When you pass a physical exam 

(Option C excluded) 

• Use your agency’s electronic 

enrollment system; or 

• Go to 

opm.gov/forms/standard-forms

• Submit form SF 2817 to your human 

resources office 

• Bring a blank form SF 2822 to your 

human resources office (physical 

exam applications only) 

Cancel or reduce 

coverage Anytime 

Use your agency’s electronic enrollment 

system or submit form SF 2817 to your 

HR office

Designate a (new) 

beneficiary Anytime Submit form SF 2823 to your HR office 

MORE INFO: www.opm.gov/life 

is is only a summary of benets under the FEGLI Program. For complete information, visit www.opm.gov/life. 
LONG TERM CARE

For the Everyday Help that Health Insurance Doesn’t Cover

If you cannot perform everyday tasks such as eating, dressing, and bathing because of a chronic illness, injury, 

disability, or aging, long term care insurance can help you pay for the assistance you need.

Who can apply for coverage? Why would 

someone need 

long term care? 

Where would 

someone 

receive care? 

Cost without 

long term care 

insurance

Most Federal employees 

(check with your human resources

office if you are unsure of your eligibility),

Annuitants regardless of FEHB 

eligibility, 

And their: 

• Spouse 

• Same-sex domestic partner 

• Adult children 

• Parents and parents-in-law 

(of employees only) 

• Car accident

• Sports accident

• Disabling injury

• Alzheimer’s 

• Stroke 

• Multiple sclerosis

• Parkinson’s 

• Other disabling 

condition 

• Old age 

Home 

Assisted living 

facility 

Nursing home

$28,000/year 

$39,000/year 

$75,000/year 

*Nat’l averages,

John Hancock 

2011 Cost of 

Care Survey 

How much 

coverage 

should I get? 

How much 

does it cost?

How do I get coverage under the Federal Long Term 

Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)? 

Use the Cost of 

Care In Your 

Area tool at 

LTCfeds.com 

Consider how 

much of your 

own savings you 

can spend on 

long term care 

Premiums are 

based on your 

age when you 

apply 

Use the 

Calculate 

FLTCIP 

Premiums tool 

at LTCfeds.com

You must apply, answer health questions, and be 

approved for enrollment. Your family member can apply 

even if you do not 

• First 60 days as newly eligible employee 

(fewer questions - employee & spouse only) 

• First 60 days after employee’s marriage 

(fewer questions - spouse only) 

• Long term care open season 

(fewer questions - infrequent) 

• Anytime

(more questions - all eligible individuals) 

MORE INFO: www.LTCfeds.com

is is only a summary of benets under the FLTCIP Program. For complete information, visit www.LTCfeds.com.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS

Save Money on Your Family’s Health and Dependent Care Expenses

More than 300,000 Feds use pre-tax dollars to save about 30% on their family’s health and dependent 

care expenses.

When your insurance only covers part of an expense, or doesn’t cover it at all, you’re stuck with the bill. Joining 

FSAFEDS is like getting a 30% discount on what you, your spouse, and your eligible children under 26 spend on:

Prescriptions

Deductibles & copayments

Oce visits

Lab tests 

Ambulance

Transportation (if it’s a 

purely medical trip)

Eyeglasses

Prescription sunglasses

Contact Lenses

Laser eye surgery

Orthodontics

Birth control pills

In vitro fertilization

Acupuncture

Sunblock

First aid kits

Diabetes testing supplies

Hand sanitizer

Wheelchairs and walkers

And more!

You can also use FSAFEDS pre-tax dollars to save about 30% on your family’s dependent care expenses.

It’s like a 30% discount on:

For your children under age 13:

• Day care

• Summer day camp

• Babysitting

• Before and after school care

• Housekeeper whose duties 

 include child care

Non-medical care for any adult who is 

mentally or physically incapable of 

self-care, who you claim as a dependent 

on your tax return, and who lives with 

you, such as your:

• Parent, grandparent, or in-law

• Spouse, sibling, or adult child

You le claims by mail, fax, or online. Some insurance plans will le claims automatically for you. FSAFEDS quickly 

reimburses you for these expenses with pre-tax dollars you’ve set aside from your pay. 

ere is a $250 annual minimum for each kind of FSAFEDS account. You have over 14 months to incur 

eligible expenses. You can enroll during the Federal Benets Open Season and must actively re-enroll each year.

MORE INFO: www.FSAFEDS.com or 1-877-372-3337

is is only a summary of benets under the FSAFEDS Program. For complete information, visit www.FSAFEDS.com.