We believe we can make more effective use of these resources and still provide important information to Federal employees when and where they need it. Employees and annuitants have been accessing Open Season material, including the Federal Employees Health Benefits Guides, via the Internet in increasing numbers for several years.
Research indicates that number has increased.
Many FEHB enrollees now tell us they rely totally on electronic information when making Open Season decisions. While we believe we will always produce some volume of printed materials, it is apparent that our customers are looking for, and using, information electronically. Because of that, for the upcoming FEHB Open Season, we will concentrate even more effort on the development of web-based information. We believe we can do this without adversely affecting the availability of information employees need to make decisions. However, we also understand that some of you require wider distribution of printed material.