FEHB Open Season to Close Dec. 9

Open Season, the once-a-year opportunity for employees to make changes to their health coverage or choose a new plan, will close at midnight EST on Monday, December 9.

Here’s what you should know:

• You should review your coverage. The Postal Service wants you to evaluate your options to ensure you have the coverage you need without paying for services you do not.

• Making changes can save you money. Last year, approximately 42,000 employees made changes to their benefits during Open Season. On average, these employees are on track to save $2,020 this year — or about $78 each pay period.

• Several options are available. You can choose from a variety of health, vision and dental coverage options through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB), USPS Health Benefits Plan (USPSHBP) for non-career employees, Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

• You can explore your options online. Log into the Open Season LiteBlue page to review your health plan and find out what’s available. You can compare multiple plans side by side through Checkbook’s Guide to Health Plans, an online tool available on LiteBlue.

• You can make changes online, too. To enroll or change coverage in FEHB, USPSHBP or FSA, go to PostalEASE or call 877-477-3273 (select option 1). Use the BENEFEDS site to enroll or make changes to your FEDVIP coverage and the FSAFEDS site to enroll in FSAs.

• There’s a new way to receive information. This year, USPS is testing a service that allows you to receive open season information and reminders through text messages to your mobile devices. Sign up by texting BENEFITS to 21333.

• Help is available. For assistance, call the HR Shared Service Center at 877-477-3273 (select option 5). The Federal Relay Service number is 800-877-8339.