FEHB Open Season Information

As the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season begins, the U.S. Army Financial Management Command Human Resources team wants to provide USAFMCOM civilian employees with key details, important updates and deadlines to ensure a smooth and successful process.

Open Season Dates:

  • Open Season Begins: Monday, Nov. 10, 2025
  • Open Season Ends: Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST

What is Open Season?

Open Season is the time of year when employees may elect to enroll in benefits coverage for the first time or, if already enrolled, may change plans, options, type of enrollment (Self Only/Self Plus One/Self and Family), or premium conversion status. With Open Season just around the corner, now is the time to review one’s current health, dental, and vision benefits options.

The only other time employees may change their benefits coverage is if they experience a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). Details about what qualifies as a QLE may be found here: Changes You Can Make Outside of Open Season (opm.gov).

Virtual Benefits Fair

A Virtual Benefits Fair will be held Nov. 10 to Dec. 8, 2025. Register to attend the benefits fair to chat with carriers, review 2026 plan details, and get the information needed in on, convenient location. Live chats are available 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 13, Nov. 19, Nov. 25 and Dec. 3. Register now at https://vshow.on24.com/vshow/FVBF25/registration/24363.

2026 Premium Increases

On average, civilian employees will pay 12.3 percent more for their health insurance premiums. USAFMCOM wants to ensure that all employees are aware of the price changes and understand what their insurance plans will cost them for 2026. We encourage all employees to carefully review the costs of their plans to make informed decisions during Open Season.

Employee Resources and Tools

  • Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Open Season General Information Page: Open Season (opm.gov)
  • OPM’s Comparison Tool: Employees can view and compare available FEHB plan options here: OPM Plan Comparison Tool
  • Enrolling or Making Changes: To enroll in or make changes to an FEHB plan, employees should go to GRB Platform to submit a transaction: GRB Platform
  • Additional Information on Federal Health Benefits: FEHB Handbook (opm.gov)
  • For Dental and Vision Insurance: For enrollment or premium questions regarding dental and vision insurance, employees should contact BENEFEDS at 1 (877) 888-3337. To enroll in FEDVIP, visit: BENEFEDS | Federal Benefits Enrollment (FEDVIP, FLTCIP, FSAFEDS)
  • For Health Care Flexible Spending, Limited Expense Health Care Flexible Spending, or Dependent Care Flexible Spending elections, please visit: FSAFEDS

2026 FEHB Updates

For the 2026 plan year, FEHB participants will have access to 47 health carriers, with a total of 132 plan options to choose from.

OPM has also announced several significant changes to benefits and options that federal employees and their families will have access to in 2026. Among these changes are:

  • HMO plans in states with IVF mandates were required to propose benefits that met those mandates, resulting in an expansion of coverage for the Federal family. OPM also requires, at a minimum, retrieval and cryopreservation of sperm and eggs, along with storage costs for at least one year, for individuals with iatrogenic infertility from non-elective procedures.
  • Behavioral health access continues to expand. Carriers must broaden networks and allow out-of-network care when wait times are excessive.
  • Opioid safety: Carriers must continue to provide at least one opioid rescue agent at no cost, with expanded education on safe usage.
  • Anti-obesity care: Carriers must continue to cover Food and Drug Administration-approved medications, including at least one GLP-1 and two oral options, plus behavioral and nutritional programs.

Important Reminders

No Action, No Change: If employees are satisfied with their current health insurance (FEHB) and dental & vision plans (FEDVIP), and do not wish to make any changes, they do not need to take action. Please note: FSAFEDS does require a new election each open season to contribute.

  • Effective Date of Changes: Any changes made during Open Season will take effect on January 1, 2026. New benefits coverage will also begin on January 1, 2026.
  • Documentation: When making an Open Season FEHB change, ensure you are providing documentation (Family Member Eligibility Documents) to ensure eligibility and audit compliance. GRB will prompt you to add documentation when making your election.