Federal Employee Insurance Benefits Overview INSURANCE 

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) 

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

up. With FEHB, you have 11 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. There are no waiting periods and no restrictions on 

pre-existing conditions. Cheers to health! 

Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) 

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

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

under age 22 for cleanings, x-rays, cavities, orthodontics, and more. With 10 dental plans to choose 

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

Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) 

If you want more vision coverage than what your health plan offers, 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 4 vision plans to 

choose from and premiums starting around $3 biweekly, you're looking well. 

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. 

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 financial burden that can cost an 

average of $30,000 to $83,000 a year. 

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 your adult dependents. When you’re in 

FSAFEDS, you’re in the money. 

MORE INFO: www.opm.gov/insure
 

For complete information, including terms and conditions, please visit www.opm.gov/insure. 

U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
 
The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) 

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS
 

More than 330,000 Feds use pre-tax dollars to save an average of 30% on their family's health care 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 Eyeglasses Massage Therapy 

Deductibles & copayments Prescription sunglasses Sunblock 

Office visits Contact Lenses First aid kits 

Lab tests Laser eye surgery Diabetes testing supplies 

Ambulance Orthodontics Hand sanitizer 

Transportation (if it’s a Birth control pills Wheelchairs and walkers 

purely medical trip) In vitro fertilization 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:	 Non-medical care for any adult who is 

• Day care	 mentally or physically incapable of 

• Summer day camp	 self-care, who you claim as a dependent 

• Babysitting	 on your tax return, and who lives with 

• Before and after school care	 you, such as your: 

• Housekeeper whose duties 	 • Parent, grandparent, or in-law 

 include child care • Spouse, sibling, or adult child 

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

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

NEW FOR 2015: We have lowered the annual minimum to $100 for each kind of FSAFEDS account. 

NEW FOR 2015: Health care participants have 12 months to incur eligible expenses and can carryover up to $500 of 

unused funds each year. Dependent care participants have 14 1/2 months to incur eligible expenses but cannot carry 

over funds. You can enroll during the Federal Benefits Open Season and must actively re-enroll each year. 

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

For complete information, including terms and conditions, please visit www.FSAFEDS.com. 

U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
 
The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) 

DENTAL INSURANCE
 

If you want more dental coverage than what your health plan offers, 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 

Crowns 

Root canals 

Fillings 

Orthodontics 

X-rays Dentures And more! 

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

my enrollment? it cost? Federal employees who During your first 60 days 

are eligible to enroll in as a newly eligible Self Only covers just you It depends on what plan FEHB health insurance, employee; or you select and where you but you do not have to be Self Plus One covers you live. Some areas pay 

enrolled in FEHB During the Federal and one specified eligible higher premiums than 

Benefits Open Season family member: your others 

Contact your human (mid-November to spouse or one unmarried

resources office if you are mid-December); or dependent child under Routine basic services like 

unsure of your eligibility age 22 exams and cleanings are 

When you have a covered 100% when you qualifying life event such Self and Family covers use a network dentist. 

as marriage or losing you, your spouse, and For other services, you other dental coverage all your unmarried usually pay part of the 

dependent children cost out-of-pocket 

under age 22 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/dental 

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


For complete information, including terms and conditions, please review each plan’s brochure. 

U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
 
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 

The Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) 

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 

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 

OPTION 

A 

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 

MORE INFO: www.opm.gov/life 

For complete information, including terms and conditions, please visit www.opm.gov/life. 

U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) 

LONG TERM CARE 

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

disability, or aging, FLTCIP 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 qualifying relatives, 

including: 

• 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 

$30,000/year 

$41,000/year 

$83,000/year 

*Nat’l averages, 

John Hancock 

2013 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 

Use the Calculate 

Premiums tool 

at LTCfeds.com 

Premiums are based 

on your age when 

you apply 

Premiums are 

not guaranteed 

and may change 

in the future 

You must apply, answer health questions, and be 

approved for enrollment. Your qualified relative 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 

For complete information, including terms and conditions, please visit www.LTCfeds.com. 

U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT 
 

The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) 

VISION INSURANCE
 

If you want more vision coverage than what your health plan offers, FEDVIP provides comprehensive vision 

insurance for you and your eligible family members. You have 4 plans to choose from, 

each covering: 

Routine eye exams Lens options such as shatter-resistant 

Contact lenses polycarbonate; scratch-resistant, 

Discounts on laser eye surgery anti-reflective, and UV coatings; and 

Eyeglass frames and lenses tinted and progressive lenses 

Who can enroll? 

Federal employees who 

are eligible to enroll in 

FEHB health insurance, 

but you do not have to be 

enrolled in FEHB 

Contact your human 

resources office if you are 

unsure of your eligibility 

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 

Who is covered by 

my enrollment? 

Self Only covers just you 

Self Plus One covers you 

and one specified 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 first 60 days 

as a newly eligible 

employee; or 

During the Federal 

Benefits Open Season 

(mid-November to 

mid-December); or 

When you have a 

qualifying life event such 

as marriage or losing 

other vision coverage 

How much does 

it cost? 

It depends on what 

plan you select. Vision 

premiums start at around 

$3 biweekly for Self Only 

All plans provide benefits 

for your choice of either 

glasses or contacts 

For complete information, including terms and conditions, please review each plan’s brochure. 

U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
 
The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) 

HEALTH INSURANCE
 

Type of Health 

Plan 

Features Tradeoffs 

Fee-For-Service 

with a PPO 

(Preferred Provider 

Organization) 

• See any doctor without referral 

• Nationwide and worldwide coverage 

• When you use an in-network doctor or 

hospital, you pay less 

• You may have to pay more

out-of-pocket for services than you

would with other plan types 

• You may have some paperwork if 

you do not use a preferred provider 

HMO • Little paperwork, if any 

• Simpler costs: your out-of-pocket cost for a

service is usually limited to a fixed dollar 

copayment rather than a percentage of

the cost 

• Some HMOs offer a Point-of-Service 

product allowing you to use an 

out-of-network provider, but you usually

pay more and need to submit a claim 

• Generally must use in-network 

doctors and hospitals 

• Usually need a referral to see 

a different provider 

High-Deductible • Covers high-cost medical events • Higher deductible 

with a Health 

Savings Account 

• Puts money into an interest -bearing

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 

• 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 • Your health plan puts money into a • Must pay deductible if your 

with a medical fund medical fund for you health expenses exceed the 

• If your medical expenses for the year are amount of your medical fund 

less than the amount of your medical fund, 

you pay nothing out-of-pocket • Medical fund is not portable, 

not interest-bearing, and you • Lower premiums 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 

For complete information, including terms and conditions, please review each plan’s brochure. 

U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT 
The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) 

HEALTH INSURANCE
 

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. 

There are no waiting periods and no restrictions on pre-existing conditions. No matter where you live, you have 11 or 

more health plans to choose from, each covering: 

• Routine physical exams • Ambulance services • Urgent care 

• Doctor’s office visits • Inpatient hospital care • Mental health services 

• Specialist visits • Surgery • Stop smoking aids 

• Lab tests • X-rays • Physical therapy 

• Prescriptions • Maternity care • And more 

Who can enroll? 

Most Federal employees 

are eligible 

Check with your human 

resources office if you are 

unsure 

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 

When can I enroll? 

During your first 60 days 

as a newly eligible 

employee; or 

During the Federal 

Benefits 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 office 

MORE INFO: www.opm.gov/health 

For complete information, including terms and conditions, please review each plan’s brochure. 

U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT