Attachment III: Frequently Asked Questions 

Belated Enrollment Opportunity 

Why is OPM allowing agencies to accept belated enrollment changes? 

OPM has asked the FEHB carriers, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield, to re-evaluate their 

benefits for non-emergency surgery by a non-participating physician, and to propose any 

changes for 2009 in this benefit category. To ensure fair competition, all Plans were given the 

opportunity to propose changes in this one benefit area. 

OPM has requested that agencies exercise their FEHB belated enrollment authority to permit all 

changes through January 2009, to ensure that employees have adequate opportunity to elect the 

FEHB Plan that best suits their benefit needs. Because FEHB Plan choice may affect decisions 

on dental and vision plan enrollment, and flexible spending account (FSAFEDS) participation, 

OPM is permitting belated enrollments, changes and cancellations in these programs as well. 

Who is allowed to make a belated enrollment change? 

Anyone can make a belated enrollment change including employees, annuitants, survivor 

annuitants, and temporary continuation of coverage enrollees. 

This opportunity is not limited to enrollees of any particular health plan. 

Can I make a belated enrollment change even if I made a change during the Open Season? 

Yes. 

Which Programs are affected by the belated enrollment opportunity? 

The Programs participating in the annual Federal Benefits Open Season are included in the 

belated enrollment opportunity. These Programs are 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 I’m not currently enrolled but eligible, can I use this belated enrollment opportunity to 

enroll? 

Yes. 

If I’m currently enrolled, can I use this belated enrollment opportunity to cancel coverage? 

Yes. 

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How long do I have to enroll or make a change? 

• FEHB - You can make a belated FEHB enrollment change through the end of January 

2009. 

• FEDVIP - You can make a belated FEDVIP enrollment change through January 2009 

when the online systems and call centers are available. FEDVIP changes during the 

month of December can be made via the website at www.BENEFEDS.com and by phone 

at 1-877-888-3337. FEDVIP changes during the month of January will only be allowed 

for FEDVIP via BENEFEDS by phone at 1-877-888-3337. The call center is open from 

9:00 am to 7:00 pm Eastern time, Monday through Friday. The BENEFEDS call center 

is NOT open on Saturday, January 31. You will not be able to make belated enrollment 

changes via the BENEFEDS website during the month of January. The phones will be 

busy in January and you may experience long hold times. Please make your changes in 

December, if possible. 

 

• FSAFEDS – You can make a belated FSAFEDS enrollment change through the 

FSAFEDS.com website or by phone at 1-877-372-3337 through January 2009. The 

FSAFEDS call center is open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Eastern time, Monday through 

Friday. The FSAFEDS call center is NOT open on Saturday, January 31. 

***Any actions you take should be done as soon as you have made your decision. Making a 

belated enrollment change early will avoid delays in processing your enrollment and ensure 

your proof-of-enrollment documentation is issued in a timely manner.

What are the effective dates of a change? 

• FEHB – the first day of the first full pay period in January (for most employees this date is 

January 4, 2009) 

• FEDVIP – January 1, 2009 

o Please note: Depending on the timing of your enrollment/change, you may owe 

retroactive premiums back to January 1, 2009. Retroactive premiums cannot be paid 

pre-tax. If you owe retroactive premiums, you would receive a direct bill in the mail, 

from BENEFEDS. You must pay this direct bill. If you do not, your FEDVIP 

coverage will be cancelled. 

• FSAFEDS 

o Enrollments, changes and cancellations received on or before December 31, 2008 will 

be effective on January 1, 2009. These actions do not affect your enrollment(s) for the 

2008 plan year or 2008 plan year grace period. 

o Enrollments, changes and cancellations changes received in January 2009 will be 

effective the day after they are received. These actions also do not affect your 

enrollment(s) for the 2008 plan year or 2008 plan year grace period. 

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WARNING: You will not be able to reduce your 2009 annual election(s) to an 

amount that is lower than the dollar amount(s) that you may have already received in 

2009 reimbursements. You will not be able to cancel your enrollment(s) if you have 

submitted claims against your 2009 account(s). 

o Please Note: You can only submit claims for reimbursement of eligible expenses for 

the 2009 Benefit Period that are incurred on or after your effective date. We strongly 

encourage you to enroll or change your election as soon as possible so you will have 

the maximum allowable time to use your account(s). 

Did my plan make changes to its non-emergency surgery benefit? 

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan Standard Option is the only plan making 

benefit changes. No other carriers are revising benefits for 2009. 

What happens if I use my health, dental or vision insurance in mid-January and change to 

another plan in late January? 

If you make a belated enrollment change, and you have claims for services incurred in 2009 

under your former plan, you and/or your provider may be responsible for reimbursing the former 

plan for any benefits paid. 

How do I make a belated enrollment change? 

• FEHB – through your agency’s online system or by completing an SF 2809 and giving it 

your Human Resources Office. In the remarks section, please indicate “Belated Open Season 

change.” You can find links to your agency’s online system and the SF 2809 at 

http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/enrollment/index.asp. 

• FEDVIP – During December, through the BENEFEDS website at or by phone at 1-877-888-

3337. During January, by phone only, at 1-877-888-3337. 

• FSAFEDS – through the website at www.FSAFEDS.com or by phone at 1-877-372-3337 

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