Special Reports
Open Season Guide

GovernmentExecutive.com's guide to help federal managers, employees and their families navigate the open season for health, dental, vision and flexible spending account benefits. Open season has been extended, and now runs through January 2009.
Health Benefits Program
- 2009 Non-Postal Rates, Health Management Organizations
- 2009 Non-Postal Rates, Fee-for-Service Plans
- 2009 Postal Rates, Health Management Organizations
- 2009 Postal Rates, Fee-for-Service Plans
- General information
- Plan comparison tool
- Health insurance glossary
Dental and Vision Insurance Program
- 2009 Dental Premiums
- 2009 Vision Premiums
- General information on the dental program
- General information on the vision program
Flexible Spending Accounts
Health Plan Tools, Calculators and Report Cards
- National Committee for Quality Assurance, a non-profit organization that rates health insurance programs for consumers.
- Consumer's Checkbook Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees. Contains ratings of plans for likely out of pocket costs, ratings of HMO and Fee-for-Service plans for customer satisfaction based on independently collected survey data, and much more. Users must pay a fee to access ratings.
- Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, a non-profit that evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.
- Healthfinder, a Health and Human Services Department site with health news and tips.
LATEST NEWS
- Federal employees have fewer health insurance choices this year
(11/06/09)
As Open Season begins, choices are more limited than before as several plans leave the federal program or reduce their coverage. - Legislators clash over health care reform's impact on FEHBP
(11/04/09)
Republicans say bill could force feds out of their current insurance plans, while Democrats decry claims as scare tactics. - Budget chief says administration is 'changing the culture in Washington'
(11/03/09)
In NYU speech, OMB director cites contracting reform and weapons systems cuts as steps to curb excessive government spending. - Hidden cost hikes aren't new to federal benefits programs
(10/30/09)
Premium jumps in the long-term care insurance program are the latest example of stealthy rate increases. - House health care tax provisions are friendly to feds
(10/29/09)
Democratic leaders propose raising revenue by taxing high-income individuals rather than insurers, who could pass on the cost through hikes in FEHBP premiums. - Cooking classes teach feds the ingredients of a strong immune system
(10/26/09)
A popular how-to series helps employees prepare foods that will prevent cancer and other diseases such as diabetes. - FEHBP open season nears as Congress considers major health care reform
(10/23/09)
Click here for our guide to Open Season 2009. - OPM extends window for long-term insurance changes
(10/22/09)
Enrollees now have until Feb. 15, 2010, to modify their plans. - Lawmakers say Senate health care bill could hit feds with new taxes
(10/21/09)
FEHBP plans would be subject to a 40 percent tax beginning in 2013 under the proposal. - GAO: Debt could break record in 10 years
(10/16/09)
Report cites health care costs and demographic trends as main contributors. - Legislation would keep kids in FEHBP longer
(10/16/09)
Dependents of federal employees would receive five more years of health insurance coverage under the House health care reform package. - Officials say cost of domestic partner benefits is affordable
(10/15/09)
A bill that would extend coverage to the partners of gay and lesbian federal employees could reach Senate floor by December. - Senators blast long-term care insurance premium hikes
(10/14/09)
Promotional materials were misleading, lawmakers say. - Insurance providers drop out of federal employee health program
(10/09/09)
Thirty-two health plans are either leaving FEHBP altogether, or lowering their coverage in certain areas across the country. - Transition begins to new long-term care contract
(10/02/09)
Certain enrollees will face hefty premium hikes in January unless they elect to change their benefits. - Key players debate how to lower prescription drug costs for feds
(09/30/09)
Allowing OPM to negotiate a single drug benefit for FEHBP enrollees was among proposals discussed during private meeting on the Hill. - Gimme My Discount!
(09/29/09)
A directory of deals on travel, entertainment and more for frugal federal employees, retirees and members of the military. - Federal employees' health insurance premiums to rise 8.8 percent
(09/29/09)
Personnel officials have started meeting with major insurance carriers to explore ways to drive down prices. - Committee leader scales back proposal to end FEHBP
(09/25/09)
Modified language would allow, but not require, federal employees to leave the government's plan; GOP senator continues to advocate stronger version. - Gala recognizes top civil servants
(09/24/09)
Dr. Janet Kemp of the Veterans Affairs Department is named federal employee of the year for her work on suicide prevention.









