U. S . O F F I C E O F P E R S O N N E L MA N AG E M E N T

INSURANCE Federal Employee Insurance Benefits Overview

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. Your agency contributes to the

premium. There are no waiting periods and no restrictions on pre-existing conditions. And

FEHB now offers Self Plus One coverage. Cheers to good 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, yourspouse, 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 canget coverage fromas little asone 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. A helping hand when you need it.

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 fi burden that can cost an

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

Federal Flexible Spending AccountProgram (FSAFEDS)

More than 350,000 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 onprescriptions, 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 . O F F I C E O F P E R S O N N E L MA N AG E M E N T

The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS)

FLEXIBLE SPENDING 

ACCOUNTS

More than 350,000 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

Deductibles & copayments

Office 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

Massage Therapy 

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, orin-law

• 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.

· The annual contribution minimum is $100 for each kind of FSAFEDS account

· Health care participants have until December 31st to incur eligible expenses and can carry over up to $500 of unused 

funds into another health care account in the subsequent year if requirements are met

· Dependent care participants have a grace period of an additional 2 1⁄2 months (January 1 through March 15) to

continue to incur eligible expenses against their prior year balance if requirements are met. Dependent care

participants cannot carry over funds from one benefit period into another

· You can enroll during the Federal Benefits Open Season and must actively re-enroll each year to remain enrolled
U. S . O F F I C E O F P E R S O N N E L MA N AG E M E N T

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

For complete information, including terms and conditions, please visit www.FSAFEDS.com.
U. S . O F F I C E O F P E R S O N N E L MA N AG E M E N T

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

X-rays

Crowns

Root canals 

Dentures

Fillings 

Orthodontics

And more!

Who can enroll?

Federal employees who

are eligible to enroll in

FEHB health insurance,

but you do not have to be 

enrolled in FEHB

Annuitants receiving an

immediate annuity

regardless of FEHB

eligibility

Contact your human

resources office if you are

unsure of your eligibility

Whois 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 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

covered 100% when you

use a network dentist.

For other services, you

usually pay part of the

cost out-of-pocket

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 . O F F I C E O F P E R S O N N E L MA N AG E M E N T

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.

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

Who is Covered?: You

BASI

C

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 you waive coverage

OPTIO

N A

Amount of Coverage: $10,000

Who is Covered?: You

Cost each biweekly pay period: Starting at 20¢

Cost increases with age?: Yes

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

OPTIO

N B

OPTIO

N C

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, you 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, you must elect this coverage

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

For complete information, including terms and conditions, please visit www.opm.gov/life.
U. S . O F F I C E O F P E R S O N N E L MA N AG E M E N T

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

 Multiplesclerosis

 Parkinson’s

 Other disabling

condition

 Old age

Home

Assisted living

facility

Nursing home

$30,000/year

$41,000/year

$83,000/year

*Nat’laverages,

John Hancock

2013 Cost of

CareSurvey

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

Premiums are

not guaranteed

and may change

in the future

Use the Calculate

Premiums tool

at LTCfeds.com

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 . O F F I C E O F P E R S O N N E L MA N AG E M E N T

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 

Contact lenses

Discountson laser eye 

surgery Eyeglass frames and 

lenses

Lens options such as shatter-resistant

polycarbonate; scratch-resistant,

anti-refl tive, and UV coatings; and

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

Annuitants receiving an

immediate annuity

regardless of FEHB

eligibility

Contact your human

resources office if you are

unsure of your eligibility

Whois 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 ($7 monthly) 

for Self Only

All plans provide benefits

for your choice of either

glasses or contacts

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

For complete information, including terms and conditions, please review each plan’s brochure.
U. S . O F F I C E O F P E R S O N N E L MA N AG E M E N T

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

 Youmayhavetopaymore

out-of-pocket for services than you

would with other plan types

 You may have some paperwork if

youdonotuseapreferredprovider

HMO  Little paperwork, if any

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

serviceisusuallylimitedtoafixeddollar

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

with a Health

Savings Account

 Covers high-cost medical events

 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

 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

For complete information, including terms and conditions, please review each plan’s brochure.
U. S . O F F I C E O F P E R S O N N E L MA N AG E M E N T

The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB)

HEALTH INSURANCE

Unexpected accidents and illnesses canbe 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

• 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

Annuitants may be

eligible to continue their

FEHB coverage into 

retirement if they meet

certain requirements

Check with your human 

resources office if you are

unsure

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 offi

Annuitants not currently

enrolled in FEHB cannot

enroll after retirement

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

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

New FEHB Enrollment Type: Self Plus One. For more information visit www.opm.gov/selfplusone