Office of Personnel Management Announces 2022 Health, Dental, and Vision Program Premiums

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 -- The Office of Personnel Management issued the following news release on Sept. 30, 2021:

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced today the 2022 plans and premiums for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). OPM manages the health insurance enrollment for 8.2 million people, making the FEHB program the largest employer-sponsored program in the world. In the midst of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, OPM and the federal benefits carriers have worked closely to negotiate benefits and rates for the 2022 plan year. OPM continues to focus on offering quality health, dental, and vision benefits that are affordable to the entire federal family.

The average total premiums for current non-Postal employees and annuitants enrolled in plans under the FEHB Program will increase 2.4 percent for plan year 2022, the second lowest premium increase in the last 24 years. Under FEDVIP, the overall average premium for dental plans will increase by 0.81 percent, and the overall average premium for vision plans will increase by 0.95 percent. Additionally, over the last year, FEHB coverage eligibility expanded to employees of eligible tribal schools. Approximately 31,823 tribal and tribal school employees from 132 tribes are currently enrolled.

"Quality health insurance has never been more important, and OPM is ensuring all eligible enrollees have the information they need to make informed decisions about their coverage," said Kiran Ahuja, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. "The global pandemic underscores the responsibility an employer has to provide their workforce with quality, affordable, and dependable health care options. As the largest employer in the United States, the federal government is proud to lead by example with a wide choice of health insurance plans from the FEHB and FEDVIP that deliver the quality coverage every employee deserves."

OPM worked with FEHB carriers to provide smart, timely solutions to provide COVID-19 testing and vaccines, telehealth, and mental health benefits to federal enrollees. To date, over 85% of those enrolled in the FEHB Program have access to incentives of $25 up to $100 for receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. OPM also maximized additional flexibilities permitted by the CARES Act and additional legislation to the pre-tax benefits offered under FSAFEDS in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a special enrollment period (SEP) to make mid-year election changes.

Federal Benefits Open Season begins November 8 and ends December 13, 2021. The annual Open Season gives federal employees, annuitants, and other eligible individuals the opportunity to review their FEHB and FEDVIP plan options, make changes, and enroll for the upcoming benefit year that begins January 1, 2022. Federal employees may use Open Season to elect to make pre-tax contributions to health care and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts under the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS).

FAST FACTS

* Established in 1960, the FEHB Program is the world's largest employer-sponsored health benefits program.

* The FEHB Program provides healthcare benefits for about 8.2 million enrollees: 2.2 million employees, 1.9 million annuitants, and an estimated 4.1 million family members.

* The average total premiums for current non-Postal employees and annuitants enrolled in plans under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program will increase 2.4 percent for plan year 2022.

* The FEHB Program features 275 health plan choices for 2022. OPM asked FEHB carriers to focus on COVID-19, mental health, and substance use disorder service in response to the opioid epidemic.

* Under the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), the overall average premium for dental plans will increase by 0.81 percent, and the overall average premium for vision plans will increase by 0.95 percent.

* FEDVIP features 23 dental plan options and 10 vision plan options.