Open Season Preview

The 2021 Federal Benefits Open Season will run from Monday, November 8, through Monday, December 13.

During Open Season, federal employees may enroll or change their current enrollments in several federal insurance benefit programs: the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, the Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS).

Federal retirees and survivors may make changes to their current enrollment in FEHB and FEDVIP. Open Season is the only time of the year when enrollees in FEDVIP can cancel their enrollment.

In early October, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will release information regarding the 2022 premiums and benefit changes for the numerous insurance plans participating in these federal programs. This occurs well ahead of the start date of Open Season in order to give everyone enough time to study the options and decide whether to make a change.

NARFE will publish selected premium rates and information in the November and December issues of NARFE Magazine. The information will also be posted on NARFE’s website at www.narfe.org.

Generally, OPM encourages carriers to consider a broad range of value- and evidencebased plan designs. In its annual call for carriers earlier this year, OPM announced its focus on quality, affordability and equity, asking FEHB carriers to offer new approaches for ensuring that services equitably reach diverse populations. For the 2022 plan year, OPM requested particular emphasis on certain areas of concern: • Responding to the

OPM and FEHB carriers have been working together to ensure FEHB enrollees’ equitable access to and coverage of care related to COVID-19, including diagnostic tests, treatments, telehealth and vaccines. While the path of the pandemic is hard to foresee, OPM will continue collaborating with carriers to provide necessary coverage related to the coronavirus and provide further guidance as methods of prevention and treatment evolve. • Improving Access to

OPM noted concerns about mental health conditions, particularly amid increased isolation and social distancing as a result of the pandemic. The CDC

reported an increase in adverse mental health issues. To address this, OPM encouraged carriers to continuously monitor provider access and availability, ensure parity for members seeking services, address provider shortages with expanded telehealth options, and use providers who coordinate care during transitions. • Addressing Substance Use Disorders

The country is seeing a rise in substance use disorders (SUDs), which result in increased disability and overall health care costs.

Although SUDs are commonly concurrent with mental health disorders, the two are rarely treated in tandem. OPM asked

FEHB carriers to offer stigma reduction strategies in addition to improving access and reimbursement for integrated mental health, substance abuse and primary care services.

The agency also emphasized SUD programs for youth, pregnant women and those is rural areas, as there can be a lack of capable providers for these populations. • Reducing Opioid Misuse

The opioid epidemic continues to be a nationwide health issue. OPM praised FEHB carriers for the work they’ve done so far to mitigate the problem but also urged continued action during the pandemic to prevent overdose deaths. FEHB carriers have been encouraged to take a varied approach to addressing this crisis, including ensuring safe opioid usage, providing nonopioid-based pain treatments as well as coordinated and comprehensive treatments for opioid use disorder. • Improving Processes for Prior

Some prescriptions require prior authorizations (PAs) to ensure that what is prescribed is appropriate and medically necessary. However, PAs can also add barriers to access, impinge on continuity of care and increase administrative hoops. In 2022,

FEHB carriers are required have a process for reviewing all expiring PAs, and they must notify members about the expiration of a PA for a maintenance medication at least 45 days before the date of expiration. OPM urged carriers to use technologies that streamline the PA process.

In terms of affordability, OPM has issued guidance for carriers related to the availability of transparent price information for consumers for both prescription drugs and medical services. OPM has also requested that carriers have online tools available for plan year 2022 that better allow plan members to accurately gauge their medical costs. OPM thanked carriers for their efforts to curtail surprise billing.

Don’t assume that your current plan will remain in the program or have the same coverage this year. The FEHB program adds new plans and drops others each year, and plans can change from year to year. For instance, you may find that your premium stays the same, but certain medical procedures are not covered the way they have been in the past. The best way to stay on top of upcoming changes is to read the information available from your health plan and from OPM. To ensure you do not miss any critical communication, make sure your current address is on file with both OPM and your FEHB plan.

If you are satisfied with your present health insurance coverage, don’t do anything—your plan will automatically continue unless you make a change or your plan option is terminated. But do confirm that all aspects of your plan are remaining the same before making this commitment.

If your current plan will not be participating in the FEHB program in the upcoming year, you may elect a new plan during Open Season. In the event of a plan termination, if you don’t proactively make an election during Open Season, by regulation, the employing agency

Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision gives you the coverage you need to keep your eyes healthy for years to come. Regular eye exams can serve as a preventive health measure for people of all ages. Your eye exam can detect eye diseases as well as systemic diseases such as diabetes, thyroid disease, high blood pressure, and more. Here’s why more federal employees choose Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision:

No copays for comprehensive eye exams. Basic lenses are included for High Option members. Standard Option members have a small copay.

Accepted by over 117,000 points of access, including Visionworks, LensCrafters, Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target Optical, Pearle Vision, and independent providers.

Use your benefits for eyewear online at 1800contacts.com, befitting.com, glasses.com, and visionworks.com.

Frame allowances: $200 for High Option and $140 for Standard Option.

Enroll during the Federal Benefits Open Season: November 8 through midnight Eastern time December 13, 2021.

To enroll, visit BENEFEDS.com or give them a call 1-877-888-FEDS (3337), TTY: 1-877-889-5680.

We cover Transitions, Varilux progressives, and Crizal anti-reflective-coated lenses at low or no out-of-pocket cost. Questions? Visit bcbsfepvision.com or call 1-888-550-BLUE (2583), TTY: 1-800-523-2847. Download our BCBS FEP Vision app on the App Store® or Google Play™ today. In addition, follow us on our Facebook and Twitter pages @bcbsfepvision.

(if employed) or OPM (if retired) will enroll the employee/annuitant in the lowest cost nationwide plan.

Health insurance carriers are no longer required to send plan brochures through the mail. You can view the brochures online at OPM’s website (www.opm.gov/healthcareinsurance/healthcare/plan-information/ plans/) or call your carrier using the contact information on your health plan ID card.

During Open Season, you may enroll, cancel an enrollment, change plans or options, and waive or begin participation in premium conversion. If you waived participation in premium conversion, you can change from Self and Family enrollment to a Self Only enrollment or cancel your enrollment at any time.

No, you do not have to be enrolled in Self Plus One for the five years before you retire to change during Open Season.

Open Season changes for annuitants are effective January 1. Changes for most current employees are effective the first day of the first full pay period in January. If you need medical services before the effective date of your Open Season enrollment, you should contact your old plan.

We stand with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) in supporting federal employees. We’re dedicated to supporting healthy smiles by offering worldwide dental coverage with no deductibles for in-network services.

THANK YOU FOR A CENTURY OF SERVICE

We proudly stand with The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) in supporting federal employees. We’re committed to providing reliable benefits, helpful online tools and incentives to help keep active and retired federal employees healthy.

THANK YOU FOR A CENTURY OF SERVICE