FEHB Plans Compared 2026: Federal Employee Health Insurance Costs

Types of FEHB Plans

FEHB offers several plan types, each with different trade-offs between cost and flexibility:

Fee-for-Service (FFS) plans allow you to see any provider but may require you to pay up front and file claims for reimbursement. BCBS Basic is the most popular FFS plan, covering roughly two-thirds of all FEHB enrollees.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans require you to use a specific network of providers and typically require referrals to see specialists. Premiums are often lower, but geographic availability is limited.

High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) have lower premiums but higher deductibles. FEP Blue Focus is the HDHP version of BCBS. HDHPs are paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) if you elect HDHP coverage, allowing pre-tax contributions for medical expenses. Note: HSA contributions are not included in our V1 calculator.

Consumer-Driven Health Plans (CDHPs) combine a health plan with a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) funded by the plan. These are similar to HDHPs but with different tax treatment.

FEHB Open Season

Open Season typically runs from the Monday of the second full week in November through the Monday of the second full week in December. Changes take effect on the first day of the first full pay period in January. Outside of Open Season, you can change plans only due to a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, loss of other coverage, or change in employment status.

FEHB Into Retirement

One of FEHB's most significant advantages is portability into retirement. If you are enrolled in (or covered as a family member under) FEHB for the 5 years immediately before retirement (or for the full period of federal service if less than 5 years), you can continue your FEHB coverage as an annuitant. The government continues to pay its share of the premium. This is particularly valuable because there is no age-based premium increase in FEHB—unlike Medicare supplement plans or private insurance. Many federal retirees consider FEHB one of the most valuable benefits of federal service.

Choosing Between Self Only, Self Plus One, and Family

Self Plus One covers you and one eligible family member (typically a spouse). Family covers you and all eligible family members. The cost difference between Self Plus One and Family is often small relative to the additional coverage. If you have more than one dependent, Family is usually the better value. If you have exactly one dependent, compare the premiums for your specific plan—in some plans, Self Plus One is significantly cheaper than Family.

FEHB and Medicare Coordination

Federal retirees who are eligible for Medicare can maintain both FEHB and Medicare. If you have both, FEHB becomes the secondary payer after Medicare, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. Some FEHB plans waive copays, deductibles, or coinsurance for services covered by Medicare. Whether to enroll in Medicare Part B (which carries a monthly premium) while maintaining FEHB depends on your specific plan and financial situation. Most financial advisors recommend enrolling in Medicare Part B when eligible, as the combined coverage provides the most comprehensive protection.

The Value of FEHB Over a Lifetime

FEHB's value extends far beyond your working years. Unlike private-sector employer health insurance, which typically ends at retirement or is replaced by a retiree plan with different terms, FEHB continues into retirement with the same premium structure and government contribution. The cumulative value of decades of government-subsidized health insurance in retirement can easily exceed $200,000-$500,000, making it one of the most valuable components of total federal compensation.

Dental and Vision: FEDVIP

FEHB does not include dental or vision insurance. These are available separately through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), authorized under 5 U.S.C. Chapter 89A. FEDVIP premiums are paid entirely by the employee with no government contribution, and they are not pre-tax by default (though they can be if enrolled through FSAFEDS). FEDVIP premiums are not included in our calculator, as they are separate from FEHB. Employees can compare FEDVIP plans at BENEFEDS.com.

Qualifying Life Events

Outside of Open Season, you can change your FEHB enrollment due to qualifying life events including: marriage or divorce, birth or adoption, death of a spouse or family member, loss of other health coverage, transfer to a new duty station that makes your current plan unavailable, or return from military service. Changes must be made within 60 days of the qualifying event in most cases. This flexibility is particularly important for new parents or employees whose spouse's coverage changes.

FEHB for Part-Time Employees

Part-time federal employees are eligible for FEHB, but the government's share of the premium is prorated based on the ratio of hours in the employee's tour of duty to the hours of a full-time employee. For example, a half-time employee would receive approximately half the government contribution. The employee's share increases correspondingly. This prorated contribution applies only during active employment; retirees receive the full government contribution regardless of whether they worked part-time before retirement, provided they meet the 5-year enrollment requirement.

Temporary employees with appointments expected to last at least one year and who work a schedule of at least half-time are also eligible for FEHB coverage. Employees on intermittent schedules are generally not eligible. Understanding your FEHB eligibility and the government contribution you receive is important for accurately calculating your take-home pay, since the premium deduction can be one of the largest items on your Leave and Earnings Statement.