Jane Dotson
Open Season is the annual period in which federal employees can change their health insurance coverage without having a qualifying life event, such as the birth of a child or marriage. During Open Season, employees can change their Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan, Federal Flexible Spending Accounts Program, or Federal Employees Dental & Vision Insurance Program. The Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program and the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program do not participate in the annual open season. Open Season for 2024 ran from November 11 to December 9, with coverage under a new health plan effective from the first day of the pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Open Season Dates | Monday of the second full work week in November through the Monday of the second full workweek in December |
| 2024 Dates | November 11 to December 9 |
| Who is it for? | Federal and U.S. Postal Service employees and annuitants, active and retired members of the uniformed services, and their qualified relatives |
| What can be done during Open Season? | Enroll, cancel, or change health, dental, and/or vision insurance |
| What happens if no action is taken? | Your current enrollment will automatically continue into the next year |
| What is a qualifying life event? | Marriage, birth of a child, or retirement from active duty |
| What is FEHB? | Federal Employees Health Benefits Program |
| What is FEDVIP? | Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program |
| What is FSAFEDS? | Federal Flexible Spending Account Program |
| What is FEGLI? | Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program |
| What is FLTCIP? | Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program |
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What You'll Learn
- Open season for health insurance in 2024 was from November 11 to December 9
- Employees can change their health insurance during open season
- Open season is the only time federal employees can change their insurance without a qualifying life event
- Open season for health insurance ends in mid-December
- Outside of open season, you can change your insurance following a qualifying life event
Open season for health insurance in 2024 was from November 11 to December 9
Open season for health insurance in 2024 took place from November 11 to December 9. This annual period is the only time when federal employees can change their health insurance coverage without experiencing a qualifying life event, such as the birth of a child or getting married. During open season, employees can change their Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan, Federal Flexible Spending Accounts Program, or Federal Employees Dental & Vision Insurance Program.
If you are satisfied with your current benefits, it is still worth reviewing any applicable plan changes and exploring new coverage options. If you do nothing, your current plan will roll over automatically, unless it is leaving the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. Employees with plans that are terminating must make a positive election into another FEHB plan during open season or be enrolled in the lowest-cost nationwide plan option for the following year.
Outside of open season, you can only enroll in or change your plan following a qualifying life event. A qualifying life event (QLE) is a certain change in your life, such as marriage, the birth of a child, or retirement from active duty, which may mean different health plans are available to you and your family members. A QLE opens a 90-day period for you to make eligible enrollment changes.
Open season also doesn't apply to active-duty service members or TRICARE For Life, as coverage is automatic if you have Medicare Part A and Part B. Additionally, it doesn't apply to premium-based plans, which can be purchased at any time throughout the year.
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Employees can change their health insurance during open season
Open Season is an annual opportunity for employees to change their health insurance coverage without needing a qualifying life event, such as marriage or the birth of a child. During this period, employees can change their Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan, Federal Flexible Spending Accounts Program, or Federal Employees Dental & Vision Insurance Program. Employees who are content with their current benefits should still review any changes to their plan and explore other coverage options.
Federal regulations require Open Season to be held each year from the Monday of the second full work week in November through to the Monday of the second full workweek in December. For 2024, Open Season ran from November 11 to December 9. Changes made during this period will come into effect on January 1 of the following year.
Employees should submit their Open Season FEHB SF-2809 changes via the Retirement and Benefits App if they are keeping the same plan but adding or removing a family member. They should indicate the family member being added or removed in the "Remarks" section of the form. If employees do not submit an FEHB or FEDVIP election during Open Season, their current enrollment will automatically continue into the following year.
Outside of Open Season, employees can only enroll in or change their health insurance plan following a qualifying life event. A qualifying life event for one family member creates an opportunity for all eligible family members to make enrollment changes.
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Open season is the only time federal employees can change their insurance without a qualifying life event
Open season is the annual period during which federal employees can change their health insurance coverage without a qualifying life event. This period typically runs from the second full workweek of November to the second full workweek of December. During open season, employees can modify their Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan, Federal Flexible Spending Accounts Program, or Federal Employees Dental & Vision Insurance Program. It is important to note that the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program and the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program do not fall under the umbrella of the annual open season.
Qualifying life events, such as the birth of a child, marriage, or retirement, allow federal employees to change their health insurance coverage outside of the open season. These events initiate a special enrollment period, providing a window of opportunity for employees to make necessary adjustments to their insurance plans.
The upcoming open season for 2024 will take place from November 11 to December 9, with coverage under new health plans becoming effective on the first day of the pay period commencing on or after January 1, 2025. This timing is consistent with previous years, as open enrollment typically ends in mid-December, with coverage changes taking effect in the new year.
During the open season, federal employees can enroll in, cancel, or make changes to their health, dental, and vision insurance plans. It is a time when employees can actively explore their coverage options and review any applicable plan changes. If employees are satisfied with their current benefits and take no action during the open season, their current enrollment will typically roll over into the new year.
While open season provides a window for federal employees to make voluntary changes to their insurance coverage, it is important to be mindful of the deadlines and any applicable qualifying life events that may impact their insurance choices. Outside of the open season, these qualifying life events become crucial triggers for making necessary adjustments to insurance plans.
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Open season for health insurance ends in mid-December
Open season for health insurance typically ends in mid-December. The specific date varies slightly from year to year but generally falls between December 9 and December 15. This period marks the deadline for individuals to enroll in, change, or renew their health insurance plans for the upcoming year. It is important to note that open season only occurs once a year, providing a limited window for individuals to make adjustments to their health coverage.
During open season, individuals have the opportunity to explore different health insurance options and make informed choices based on their specific needs. This includes federal employees, who are given the flexibility to change their Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHB), Federal Flexible Spending Accounts Program, Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), and other supplementary coverage options. It is crucial for federal employees to review any applicable plan changes and carefully consider their options before the open season concludes.
For those with TRICARE health plans, the open season offers the chance to make changes to their healthcare coverage for the upcoming year. TRICARE members can modify their plans, such as TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select, to suit their evolving healthcare requirements. Additionally, TRICARE enrollees may qualify for dental and vision coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), further enhancing their overall healthcare benefits.
It is important to be mindful of the deadlines associated with open season. While the specific dates may vary across different organizations and insurance providers, the general timeframe remains consistent. For federal employees, the open season usually spans from the second full workweek in November to the second full workweek in December. This period allows federal employees to make any desired changes to their health insurance coverage for the upcoming year.
In conclusion, the open season for health insurance ending in mid-December serves as a critical period for individuals to assess their healthcare needs and make necessary adjustments to their insurance coverage. Whether enrolling in a new plan, modifying existing coverage, or adding supplementary benefits, this timeframe offers a valuable opportunity to prioritize one's health and well-being for the year ahead. By staying informed about open season deadlines and exploring available options, individuals can make proactive decisions that best serve their healthcare requirements.
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Outside of open season, you can change your insurance following a qualifying life event
Open Enrollment allows you to enroll in, renew, or change health plans through the Marketplace for the coming year. Typically, Open Enrollment starts on November 1, with coverage starting as soon as January 1 of the following year. The last day to enroll or change plans for coverage in the same year is usually December 15. After this date, you can only make changes to your health insurance following a qualifying life event.
A qualifying life event is a significant change in your life circumstances that may impact your current health insurance coverage. These events allow you to change your health plan outside of the annual Open Enrollment period. You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you experience a qualifying life event.
Qualifying life events include, but are not limited to:
- Loss of health coverage or expecting to lose coverage: This includes losing health insurance or Medicaid in the past 60 days or expecting to lose coverage in the next 60 days.
- Changes in residence: Relocating to a different zip code, county, or state that changes your health plan area.
- Change in employment status: This could include losing your job, getting a new job, or a change in income.
- Changes in family circumstances: Adding or losing family members, such as getting married, having a baby, or a death in the family.
- Turning 26: This is when individuals typically need to move off their parent's health insurance plan.
- Turning 65: This is when individuals can consider enrolling in Medicare.
It's important to note that you may be required to provide documentation of your qualifying life event when enrolling in a new plan. Contact your insurer or the Marketplace to understand your options and what documents you may need.
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Frequently asked questions
Open season for health insurance typically ends in December. For example, in 2024, the Federal Benefits Open Season ran from November 11 through December 9.
Open season is the only period during which federal employees can change their health insurance coverage without having a qualifying life event, such as the birth of a child or marriage. During open season, employees can change their Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan, Federal Flexible Spending Accounts Program, or Federal Employees Dental & Vision Insurance Program.
A qualifying life event is a certain change in your life, such as marriage, the birth of a child, or retirement from active duty, which may mean different health insurance plans are available to you and your family members. A qualifying life event opens a 90-day period for you to make eligible enrollment changes.
