Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and Plans

What is the FEHB Program?

The FEHB program was established in 1959 by an Act of Congress. FEHB is the largest employer-sponsored health benefits program. The program currently covers nearly 8.3 million federal employees and dependents.¹

Who qualifies for federal health benefits?

You are eligible for FEHB health coverage if you're a federal employee, unless your position is excluded by law or regulation. Your agency dictates these rules as well as your eligibility. In addition to full-time, permanent employees, the following individuals may also be eligible for FEHB health plans:

• Family members and dependents of federal employees
• Full-time temporary, seasonal, and intermittent federal employees
• Civilian employees on active military duty
• Temporary firefighters

Learn more about FEHB eligibility

How do federal employees enroll in health benefits?

If you are eligible for a plan from the FEHB program, you may enroll during the annual FEHB Open Season. Open Season typically begins in mid-November and ends in mid-December. During this time you can also change health plans, adjust your benefits, or cancel your enrollment.

Newly eligible employees may enroll within 60 days of first becoming eligible, even if that occurs outside of Open Season. There are also other factors that may make you eligible to enroll or change your FEHB plan outside of Open Season.

Do federal employees pay for health insurance?

Yes. A federal employee pays for health insurance plans in the same way many employees do. Federal employees typically share the cost of their health plan premium with the Government. Depending on the plan, employees may also have to pay deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance.

What types of health plans can federal employees get?

There are many types of health insurance plans offered through the FEHB program. The best plan for you may depend on factors such as cost, coverage, and in-network providers. 

• Fee-For Service (FFS) plans (with or without a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) preference)
• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans
• Point of Service (POS) plans 
• High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHP)
• Consumer-Driven Health Plans (CDHP)

FEHB Plan Comparisons

Are you looking to understand the differences in the various FEHB plans? You can compare plan benefits on the FEHB site.

What benefits do federal employees have?

 The benefits you have will depend on which plan you've chosen. All plans include access to:

• Hospital care
• Surgical care
• Inpatient and outpatient care
• Obstetrical care
• Mental health and substance use care
• Preventive care
• Prescription drug coverage

Can federal employees have both FEHB and Medicare?

Yes, employees who are eligible for both FEHB and Medicare may choose to be covered by both types of plans. However, there are many factors to consider before electing both forms of health coverage. Many features of FEHB and Medicare overlap.

One advantage of having both types of coverage is the coordination of benefits, which may reduce your out-of-pocket costs. If you have an FEHB plan but are also eligible for Medicare Part A, you may choose to enroll for more hospital and inpatient coverage. Part A often comes with no premiums.

If you want to have both FEHB and Medicare, employees will likely have FEHB coverage first and then enroll in Medicare once they're eligible. To be eligible for Medicare, you must:

• Be 65 or older.
• Have a certain eligible disability or end-stage renal disease.

If you are still a federal employee and are enrolled in both FEHB and Medicare, FEHB is typically the primary payer. If you are retired or no longer work as a federal employee, then Medicare will likely become the primary payer. 

How does Cigna Healthcare partner with federal employees?

Cigna Healthcare^SM supports multiple FEHB plans. To determine if the FEHB plan you’re interested in partners with Cigna Healthcare, please review the plan information. 

Learn more about how Cigna Healthcare services Taft-Hartley and federal organizations and agencies.

¹ Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Carriers, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, accessed June 18, 2024, https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/carriers/fehb/

All Cigna Healthcare products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group.