OPM Announces 2018 FEHB Program Premiums

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced that the overall average increase in total premiums for the 2018 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program will rise by an average of four percent. The Federal Benefits Open Season, which runs from November 13 to December 11, 2017, gives Federal employees and retirees the opportunity to evaluate their benefits, provider networks, and the 2018 rates for Federal benefits, which include FEHB, Federal dental and vision (FEDVIP), as well as elections for Flexible Spending Account (FSAFEDS) for health care and/or dependent care. Individuals have the chance to make changes to their coverage within the Open Season dates. “Open Season is important because these health benefits can help Federal employees care for themselves and their families,” said OPM Acting Director Kathy McGettigan. “I urge Federal employees and retirees to carefully review their healthcare needs and to choose wisely among the plans and enrollment options available to them during this enrollment period.” Additional information about this year’s Open Season: – The share of FEHB premiums paid by the government and enrollees is determined based on a government contribution formula set forth in the law. As a result of this formula the average enrollee share increase will be 6.1 percent and the average increase in the government share will be 3.2 percent. – For FEDVIP, which is fully funded by enrollee premiums, average vision plan premiums will decrease by 0.48 percent and average dental plan premiums will increase by 1.26 percent for 2018. – In 2018, the FEHB Program will offer 262 health plan choices government-wide. OPM encouraged all insurance carriers to thoroughly evaluate their health plan options to find ways to improve affordability, reduce costs, and improve the quality of care and the health of the enrolled population. Negotiations were geared to keep premium increases as low as possible while minimizing changes in out-of-pocket costs, such as for deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance. Established in 1960, the FEHB Program is the largest employer-sponsored health benefits program in the United States, providing health care benefits for about 8.3 million employees, retirees and family members. Approximately 85 percent of all Federal employees participate in the Program.

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