2027 FEHB Open Season: Premium Increases and Key Changes to Consider
Each year, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers an annual Open Season period for Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB). During this time, you may evaluate your benefits and make any necessary changes.
Key Takeaways:
The 2027 FEHB Open Season will run from Monday, November 9 through Monday, December 14, 2026. During this time, Federal employees can review and make changes to their healthcare.
FEHB premiums will increase by an average of 10.9% for Federal employees, the third-consecutive double-digit increase.
PSHB enrollees will see a lower increase, 8.2%. PSHB will also launch a simpler enrollee portal durin Open Season.
The 2027 FEHB Open Season runs from November 9 through December 14, 2026, giving Federal employees an opportunity to review health insurance premiums, compare plans, and make coverage changes.
Navigating the multitude of healthcare choices can be complicated, especially when considering any cost increases or salary changes. However, understanding your options and healthcare changes can help you make the best decision for you and your family.
Below, you’ll find an overview of the changes in Federal benefit offerings. These changes could impact what plans will best fit your needs, especially if you’ve had any life-changing events in the last year, such as a marriage or the birth of a child.
It’s important to understand what your benefit options are in the new year and we hope this overview will help you navigate Open Season with confidence.
When is 2027 FEHB Open Season?
This year, Open Season runs from Monday, November 9, 2026 through Monday, December 14, 2026. Any plan changes will go into effect January 1, 2027. During this period, active Federal employees can do the following:
- Enroll in a Federal Employees Health Benefits plan for the first time
- Change health plans or options within a program
- Opt-out of a plan in which you’re enrolled
- Change your enrollment type (self-only, self plus one, or family coverage)
- Adjust contributions to your Federal Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for dependent care or health care
- Retirees cannot enroll in a medical plan for the first time, but can change to their current enrollments.
Please note that the Open Season window ends at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 14 for FEDVIP and FSAFEDS, while the window ends at 11:59 p.m. local time for FEHB and PSHB benefits.
What’s New for Open Season This Year?
2027 will see changes in Federal benefit options and premium increases.
Will FEHB Premiums Increase in 2027?
Yes. Federal employees and retirees will experience another double-digit increase to their health insurance premiums, for the third-consecutive year. Those enrolled in FEHB will pay an average of 10.9% more in 2027.
This follows a 12.3% increase in 2026 and 13.5% increase in 2025. However, OPM noted that the increase itself is tracking downward.
Actual premium changes vary by plan and enrollment type. Enrollees should review their individual plan rates to understand how their costs may change.
With a Federal pay freeze proposed for most Civilian Federal Employees in 2027, rising healthcare premium costs may have an even greater effect on household budgets.
Related Resource: 2027 Federal Pay Freeze: How Are 2027 GS Pay Scales with Locality Calculated? >
Additional Changes in 2027
- There will be fewer FEHB plans available in 2027 – 45 carriers will offer 118 plan options.
- Nine FEHB plans will no longer be available and enrollees in this plan should choose another.
- Enrollees who do not choose a new one will be moved to Compass Rose Standard
- Anyone adding a new family member to their coverage must submit documentation of their eligibility, based on the FEHB Protection Act of 2025
- Health Care and Limited Expense Health Care FSAs will offer an optional Visa® FSA Card, allowing participants to pay eligible expenses directly rather than relying only on reimbursement.
- Carriers were directed to discontinue provider payments tied to pediatric and prenatal vaccination rates.
- Vaccines recommended by the CDC and given by in-network providers will still be fully covered.
- FEHB and PSHB carriers will require documented participation in intensive behavioral therapy before and during treatment with anti-obesity medications.
- FEDVIP premiums will increase on average by 1% for dental and 1.6% for vision. Enrollees should check their specific plan premiums to determine their actual increase amount.
What if I Do Nothing during Open Season?
Your current coverage will automatically continue. If you are satisfied with your current FEHB plan, you do not need to take any action.
Please note that if you are currently enrolled under a plan that is exiting, you should choose another or you will be automatically enrolled in Compass Rose Standard in 2027.
What About Benefits Other Than the Medical Plan?
Open Season includes the Federal Dental and Vision Insurance Program, flexible spending accounts, and life insurance.
Dental and Vision
The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program offers eligible participants a choice between 21 plan options for 2027 and 10 vision plans, both of which are the same as last year.
Postal employees and annuitants remain eligible for FEDVIP, a change that was made in 2023.
FSA (Flexible Spending Account)
During Open Season, active employees can sign up for health care, a dependent care flexible spending account (FSA), or both. Medical, dental, and vision enrollments roll over unless you make changes, but you must re-enroll every year to keep your FSA contributions going.
Life Insurance
The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program and the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) do not participate in Open Season. While life insurance is not part of Open Season, you can still apply for Group Term Life Insurance from WAEPA at any time during the year. Open Season is an excellent time to do an annual review of your life insurance needs.
How Do I Determine What’s Best for My Situation?
OPM provides an online tool to compare the available plans/rates. You can search for available options based on location or employee type and you can review changes to your existing plan.
The most important step is to carefully assess your own medical and financial situation. Here are some questions to help you get started:
Existing Medical Conditions
Do you or any covered family member have a medical condition that will require extensive treatment in 2027? If so, it may be worth purchasing a plan that pays out more on your claims.
Minimal Medical Needs
If you have a healthy family and only anticipate minor illnesses, a less expensive plan can help you build up your savings account. Consult with a trusted benefits advisor or your HR department for more information.
Compare Your Spouse’s Medical Plan
If you are married, compare your coverage with the options offered by your spouse’s employer. The FEHB program often provides better coverage at a lower cost, so switching plans can help save money without sacrificing benefits.
Open Season provides the opportunity to review your medical, dental, vision, and FSA options. It also offers a natural time to reassess your life insurance coverage.
Life-changing events can influence your benefit choices, but when it comes to life insurance, don’t assume Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) is the best option.
What is the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program?
2025 was the inaugural year of the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program. As of January 2025, one-fifth of FEHB enrollees were transferred to this new system. This includes more than 2 million USPS employees, annuitants, and their families.
The PSHB program is meant specifically for the Postal Service and is a requirement of the 2022 Postal Service Reform Act. The 2022 law mandated that OPM establish a health program specifically for USPS by January 2025.
What are the 2027 PSHB Plan Options?
In 2027, PSHB enrollees will have 65 plan options across 17 health carriers to choose from. Some of these plans are specific to certain geographic regions or agencies.
PSHB enrollees will also see a lower increase in premiums than FEHB participants – 8.2% more on average (11.3% in 2026)%)
Medicare-eligible Postal annuitants and their family members will need to enroll in Medicare Part B to be able to access PSHB benefits. All PSHB benefits align with FEHB, with the exception of prescription drug benefits.
PSHB’s enrollment system will also launch a simpler enrollee portal during Open Season.
Join WAEPA
Worldwide Assurance for Employees of Public Agencies (WAEPA) offers life insurance For Feds, By Feds.
Current and former Civilian Federal Employees can apply for up to $2 million in Group Term Life Insurance coverage at any time during the year. WAEPA coverage can supplement or serve as an alternative to FEGLI, depending on your individual needs and eligibility.
WAEPA members can also access benefits designed for Civilian Feds and their families, including financial wellness resources, premium refunds for eligible members, scholarships, and more.
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