Federal Benefits 

FastFacts

What to Consider During the Federal Benefits 

Open Season (November 8 – December 13, 2010) 

Open Season is the time of year when you have the opportunity to make decisions about your benefits 

under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, the Federal Employees Dental and 

Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program 

(FSAFEDS). 

If you take no action, your current enrollment in FEHB and FEDVIP will continue automatically for 

2011. You will be subject to any changes in premiums, benefits, and service areas. If you already have 

an FSAFEDS account it will not continue automatically; you must reenroll.

We strongly recommend you evaluate your current enrollment status in the Programs. We have listed 

three basic questions to ask yourself. All are equally important and should be considered carefully. 

1. What are my and/or my family’s expected health care needs for 2011? 

 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program 

 Are we expecting a new baby? Do I need surgery? Will my medication needs change? 

 

 Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) 

 Do I only need routine dental care? Will I need a crown or a root canal? Does my child need 

 braces? 

 Do I need glasses and/or contact lenses? Am I considering Lasik surgery? 

 Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) 

 What are my out-of-pocket expenses going to be (e.g., deductibles, copays, coinsurances, daycare 

and elder care expenses, over-the-counter drugs and medicines {prescription required beginning 

January 1, 2011, except for insulin} and other over-the-counter products, etc.)? Does my child 

need braces or use acne treatments? Will I send my children (under age 13) to a non-overnight 

summer camp next year? 

2. What benefits are available in 2011? 

Now that you have an idea of what services you may need, the next step is to determine what benefits 

the plans provide in 2011. If you are already enrolled, please review Section 2 “How we change 

for 2011” of your 2011 FEHB plan brochure and the “How We Have Changed for 2011” section 

of your 2011 FEDVIP brochure for any benefit changes. 

Do not rely solely on this fact sheet. 

Always refer to the individual plan brochures before making your final decision. 
FEHB/FEDVIP

 Are there plan limitations such as number of visits or dollar maximums which will result in outof-pocket expenses? 

 Are any services I may need (such as chiropractic care or Lasik surgery) not covered? 

 What is my share of the cost of prescription drugs? (FEHB only) 

 What deductibles, copays and coinsurances must I pay? 

 Do I have enough coverage for extensive dental work? 

 Do I have enough coverage for glasses, exams, contact lenses, or other vision services? 

 

FSAFEDS

 Should I enroll in a dependent care account and/or a health care account? How much should I 

contribute to my FSAFEDS account(s)? 

3. How much will it cost? 

Now that you have an idea of what services you may need and what types of benefits your FEHB 

and/or FEDVIP plans and FSAFEDS provide, the third consideration is cost. 

Look at the 2011 premiums for the FEHB and/or FEDVIP plan you are already enrolled in or 

considering enrolling in -- in the 2011 FEHB and FEDVIP brochures, the 2011 Guide to Federal 

Benefits, and on our website at www.opm.gov/insure. 

Enrolling in FSAFEDS is free to you. You just have to decide how much to contribute from your 

salary, which you’ll get back when you incur eligible expenses. 

4. What do I do now? 

Now that you have considered these three questions, you are on your way to making more informed 

decisions about your benefit choices for 2011. If you are satisfied with your FEHB plan and/or 

FEDVIP plan, you do not have to do anything. Your FEHB and/or FEDVIP enrollment(s) will 

continue for 2011. If you want to participate in FSAFEDS for 2011, you must make a new election. 

If you are not satisfied with your current enrollment status, look at the resources OPM provides to 

assist you in making decisions, located at www.opm.gov/insure and in your Human Resources Office. 

 The 2011 Guide to Federal Benefits 

 FEHB and FEDVIP Plan Brochures 

 FSAFEDS brochure – www.FSAFEDS.com 

 OPM’s plan comparison tool 

 Other plan comparison tools such as PlanSmartChoice or Checkbook 

Do not rely solely on this fact sheet. 

Always refer to the individual plan brochures before making your final decision.