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Federal Benefits 2021 Open Season

FSIS Notice 55-21
Issue Date Nov 04, 2021
Expiration Date Nov 01, 2022
Full Notice
FSIS Notice 55-21
  1. PURPOSE
    This notice announces the Federal Benefits 2021 Open Season (2021 Open Season) from November 08, 2021 through December 13, 2021.  This open season is for changes impacting calendar year 2022. During the 2021 Open Season, eligible employees may enroll, change, or cancel coverage in the following programs:
    1. Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program;
    2. Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and
    3. Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS)
  2. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES REGARDING THE 2021 OPEN SEASON
    If an employee's current plan dropped out of the FEHB Program or terminated an enrollment code, the employee must complete a 2021 Open Season election to remain covered under a FEHB plan in 2022.  Please review the 2021 Federal Benefits Open Season Announcement BAL 21-401 and BAL 21-403 for the 2021 significant FEHB Plan changes at: https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/publications-forms/benefits-administration-letters/.  Employee Services Section, Human Resources Operations Division, Office of Human Resources will notify employees if their plans or codes are terminated.
  3. OBTAINING FEHB BROCHURES AND FORMS
    1. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) no longer issues a Guide to Federal Benefits or provides individual FEHB plan brochures.  To obtain health insurance brochures and forms, employees can view or print 2021 Open Season information at the OPM's web site: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/open-season.
    2. Employees may obtain the SF-2809, Health Benefits Election Form, (SF 2809) at: https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf2809.pdf or by contacting the Employee Services Section at: 1-877-FSIS-HR1 (1-877-374-7471) or FSISHR1@usda.gov (subject line: Need SF-2809).
  4. COMPLETING FEHB ELECTIONS DURING THE 2021 OPEN SEASON
    1. The most secure method to enroll, make a change, or cancel FEHB coverage is through the Employee Personal Page (EPP).  Employees can only make one election through EPP.  If an election is made and later needs to be changed or cancelled, employees need to contact the Employee Services Section at: FSISHR1@usda.gov (subject line: Change Benefits Election) OR 1-877-FSIS-HR1 (1-877-374-7471).
    2. The EPP provides electronic employee self-service through the National Finance Center: https://www.nfc.usda.gov/EPPS/index.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fepps%2f
    3. To use EPP, employees need to have a User ID and Password or their e-Authentication login.  If employees are changing health plans, they will need the 3-character code of the health plan in which they are enrolling.  In addition, if employees are enrolling in "self and family" coverage or "self plus one," they will need the eligible family members' names, social security numbers, and dates of birth.
    4. Employees should print a copy of their completed enrollment for their personal records.
    5. Employees retiring on or before January 2, 2022 should not use the EPP to process their 2021 Open Season change.  Instead, they are to complete the SF-2809 and write at the top "RETIRING ON (DATE)" so the form is properly processed with their retirement papers.
    6. FEHB elections may also be submitted using the SF-2809.  Print, complete, and return the SF 2809 no later than December 13, 2021.  Email to: FSISHR1@usda.gov (subject line: FEHB Election) OR fax to: 1-833-840-9217.
    7. FEHB 2021 Open Season changes are effective January 02, 2022.
  5. COMPLETING FSAFEDS ENROLLMENTS DURING THE 2021 OPEN SEASON
    1. To re-enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), employees should visit www.fsafeds.com or call (877) 372-3337.  Hearing impaired employees may call the FSAFEDS TTY line at (866) 353-8058. 
    2. FSAFEDS 2021 Open Season enrollments are effective January 1, 2022.
  6. COMPLETING FEDVIP ELECTIONS DURING THE 2021 OPEN SEASON
    1. To complete a Federal Employee Dental and Vision Program (FEDVIP) election, employees should visit www.benefeds.com or call BENEFEDS at (877) 888-3337. Hearing impaired employees may call (877) 889-5680.
    2. FEDVIP 2021 Open Season changes are effective January 1, 2022.
  7. QUESTIONS
    For more information, please visit the following link: https://inside.fsis.usda.gov/fsis/emp/static/centerContent/fsisPage.jsp?keyword=healthcare (Level 2 eAuthentication is needed to access this site) or contact the Employee Services Section, Human Resources Operations Division, Office of Human Resources at 1-877-FSIS-HR1 (1-877-374-7471) with questions or to request all the pertinent Open Season documents via mail or e-mail.