Federal Open Season checklist 2026: five steps by December 14
Open Season: November 9 to December 14, 2026
Tick each step as you finish it. Saved on this device only.
- STEP 1
Compare health plans
Premiums, deductibles, and limits change every year, and nine FEHB plans end after 2026. Pick your 2026 plan in the comparison to see what changes for it, then compare it with others for your county.
Premiums, deductibles, and limits change every year, and three PSHB options end after 2026. Pick your 2026 plan in the comparison to see what changes for it, then compare it with others for your county.
Ticks itself when you set two plans side by side, or pick your 2026 plan, on this device.
- STEP 2
Check your drugs
Look up each drug you take in the plan's drug list; every plan page links its list and its brochure. If you take a GLP-1 drug, read what each brochure says about it, in its own words.
Ticks itself when you search or pick plans on a GLP-1 page on this device.
- STEP 3
Compare dental and vision
FEDVIP is a separate program with its own plans and its own enrollment site, BENEFEDS, on the same Open Season dates. You pay the whole premium, and an existing enrollment continues on its own unless you change it.
Ticks itself when you set two dental or vision plans side by side on this device.
- STEP 4
Set your flexible spending account
Your FSAFEDS election does not renew on its own: you enroll every year, during Open Season, directly with FSAFEDS, not through your agency. In a high-deductible plan, check what your plan deposits to your HSA or HRA.
Postal employees are not in FSAFEDS. Career postal employees have the Postal Service’s own FSA, run by Inspira Financial: enroll during Open Season through LiteBlue (select FSA) or 1-833-419-0305.
- STEP 5
Enroll or change by December 14
Health: through your agency’s benefits office or its online system; annuitants, through OPM Retirement Services. Dental and vision: BENEFEDS, by 11:59 pm Eastern. FSA: FSAFEDS. An employee’s FEHB change takes effect January 10, 2027, and a FEDVIP change January 1.
Health: the PSHB System, or the HR Shared Service Center, 877-477-3273. Dental and vision: BENEFEDS, by 11:59 pm Eastern. FSA: LiteBlue. A PSHB change takes effect January 1, 2027, and so does a FEDVIP change.
Steps 1 to 3 tick themselves when you finish them in our tools on this device; tick or untick any step yourself. Nothing you do here leaves this device.
Before you decide
Your employing office handles eligibility and enrollment, and your plan decides coverage and claims under its brochure, so confirm every date with them. This checklist is a reminder list, not an enrollment form: StandWatch is independent, does not act for OPM or any agency, and never enrolls you or files anything for you. The ticks live only on this device. Full disclosures
Sources
OPM Federal Benefits Open Season Highlights, Plan Year 2027. BENEFEDS. FSAFEDS Open Season. OPM, PSHB enrollment. Postal Bulletin 22713, the Postal Service FSA.
