Tribal FastFact 

What to Consider During 

the Federal Employees Health Benefits 

(FEHB) Open Season for Tribal Employees 

(November 8 – December 13, 2021) 

Do not rely solely on this fact sheet. 

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

Open Season is the time of year when you get to make decisions about your 

benefits under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program for the 

upcoming calendar year. The FEHB Open Season for Tribal Employees is held 

every year from the Monday of the second full work week in November to the 

Monday of the second full work week in December. This year, Open Season will 

run from Monday, November 8, 2021 through Monday, December 13, 2021. 

If you are a Tribal employee who is eligible for FEHB, you can decide to enroll in 

the FEHB Program; change your FEHB enrollment type (enrollment types are Self 

Only, Self Plus One, and Self and Family); change your FEHB enrollment from 

one FEHB plan or option to another; or cancel your existing FEHB enrollment. 

Note that if you are not participating in premium conversion, (i.e., paying your 

share of FEHB premiums with pre-tax dollars), you may decrease or cancel your 

enrollment at any time. You may make changes during Open Season even if you 

have been enrolled in an FEHB plan for less than one year. 

 Open Season is an opportunity for you to look at: 

• benefit changes including changes in deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, 

or other out-of-pocket costs, 

• changes in plans’ premium rates, and 

• service area changes if enrolled in an HMO. 

You will continue to be covered by your present health insurance plan 

unless your plan is dropping out of the FEHB Program or reducing its 

service area. However, your benefits, premiums, or coverage options 

may change. 
Do not rely solely on this fact sheet. 

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

We recommend that you evaluate your current FEHB enrollment status and we 

have listed some basic questions to ask yourself. Please carefully consider all of 

the following questions as they are equally important: 

1. What are the expected health care needs for me and/or my family for 

2022? 

• Am I expecting a new baby? 

• Do I need surgery? 

• Will my medication needs change? 

2. What benefits are available in 2022? 

• Are there plan limitations (i.e., number of visits or dollar maximums) which 

will result in out-of-pocket expenses? 

• Are there any services I may need (such as chiropractic care or acupuncture) 

that are not covered? 

• What is my share of the cost of prescription drugs? 

• What deductibles, copays, and coinsurances must I pay? 

The next step is to determine what benefits the FEHB plans provide in 2022. If 

you are already enrolled, please review the “Changes for 2022” section 

of your 2022 FEHB plan brochure for any benefit changes. 

 

3. How much will it cost? 

The third consideration is cost. Look at the 2022 premiums for the FEHB plan 

you are already enrolled in or considering enrolling in. You can find the FEHB 

premiums in the 2022 FEHB brochures. Along with premiums, consider out-ofpocket costs such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurances in estimating your 

total cost. 

4. What do I do now? 

Now that you have considered these questions, you are on your way to making a 

more informed decision about your FEHB benefit choices for 2022. If you are 

satisfied with your FEHB plan, you do not have to do anything. Your 

FEHB enrollment will continue for 2022. However, if you do nothing during 

this Open Season and you are later unhappy with your 2022 FEHB premiums or

benefits, you cannot change your FEHB enrollment until the next Open Season 

unless you experience an FEHB qualifying life event. 
Do not rely solely on this fact sheet. 

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

Please look at the following resources OPM provides to assist you in making 

decisions: 

• FEHB Brochures 

• OPM’s Plan Comparison Tool 

• Health Benefits Election Form, the Standard Form 2809, 

• Guidance for you on how to complete the SF 2809 to enroll, change, or 

cancel your FEHB enrollment 

If you have any questions, please contact your Tribal Benefits Officer.