PEN SEASON REPORT
2021 OPEN SEASON: NOVEMBER 8 – DECEMBER 13 FEHB PLAN CHANGES
T
he 2021 Federal Benefits Open Season will run from Monday, November 8, through Monday, December 13. During Open Season, federal employees may enroll or change their current enrollments in several federal insurance benefit programs: the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, the Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS). Federal retirees and survivors may make changes to their current enrollment in FEHB and FEDVIP. Open Season is the only time of the year when enrollees in FEDVIP can cancel their enrollment. In early October, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will release information regarding the 2022 premiums and benefit changes for the numerous insurance plans
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NARFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2021
participating in these federal programs. This occurs well ahead of the start date of Open Season in order to give everyone enough time to study the options and decide whether to make a change. NARFE will publish selected premium rates and information in the November and December issues of NARFE Magazine. The information will also be posted on NARFE’s website at www.narfe.org.
THIS YEAR’S FOCUS
Generally, OPM encourages carriers to consider a broad range of value- and evidencebased plan designs. In its annual call for carriers earlier this year, OPM announced its focus on quality, affordability and equity, asking FEHB carriers to offer new approaches for ensuring that services equitably reach diverse populations. For the 2022 plan year, OPM requested
particular emphasis on certain areas of concern: • Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic OPM and FEHB carriers have been working together to ensure FEHB enrollees’ equitable access to and coverage of care related to COVID-19, including diagnostic tests, treatments, telehealth and vaccines. While the path of the pandemic is hard to foresee, OPM will continue collaborating with carriers to provide necessary coverage related to the coronavirus and provide further guidance as methods of prevention and treatment evolve. • Improving Access to Mental Health Care OPM noted concerns about mental health conditions, particularly amid increased isolation and social distancing as a result of the pandemic. The CDC
