Federal Benefits Open Season, Til Dec. 10

The Benefits Open Season began on Nov. 12 and runs through Dec. 10. Don’t miss this opportunity. If you plan to make an Open Season election, now is the time to do it. Unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event during the year, the annual Open Season is your only chance to enroll, cancel your enrollment or make a change to your enrollment for the participating programs.  

For detailed information about the Federal Benefits Open Season, visit https://hr.nih.gov/benefits/change-open-season/benefits-open-season. 

The three participating programs are:  

• Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program - To enroll, cancel or change your FEHB enrollment, you must use myPay at https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx. Open Season elections will be effective on Jan. 6, 2019. Your current enrollment will automatically continue into next year if you do not take any action. (Exception: If you will be retiring between now and Jan. 5, 2019, do not use myPay to make your Open Season change. Instead, you must submit a hard-copy Health Benefits Election Form, SF 2809, along with your retirement paperwork to your benefits specialist.)
• Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) - To enroll, cancel or change your FEDVIP enrollment, you must use the BENEFEDS Portal at www.benefeds.com or call 1-877-888-3337 (TTY 1-877-889-5680). Open Season elections will be effective on Jan. 1, 2019.  Your current enrollment will automatically continue into next year if you do not take any action.  
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Program - To enroll in an FSA for 2019, you must use the FSAFEDS website at www.fsafeds.com or call 1-877-372-3337 (TTY 1-866-353-8058). Note that your current enrollment will not automatically continue into next year. If you want an account in 2019, you must enroll during the Open Season. Open Season elections will be effective on Jan. 1, 2019.

If you have questions, email AskBenefits@nih.gov or your benefits contact, who can be found at https://hr.nih.gov/contacts/benefits.