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CHAPTER SIX
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Many federal employees choose their health plan by throwing a dart
at the wall and hoping that it lands on the right spot. This is not the
approach I would recommend. During open season, federal employees
have the opportunity to review their health benefit options. Although
benefits change within the plans and premiums continue to increase
annually, many federal employees leave their health insurance choices to
chance and never look at a plan other than the one they have. The
reasons can vary. Maybe they are content with the cur-rent plan and they
simply do not want to expend the energy or time looking at other
choices. This chapter is focused on the process of comparing health
plans and breaking them down so you can compare and understand the
variety of plan choices.
The following are standard rules that apply to all plans:
During open season, which is usually the second Monday in
November through the second Monday in December, federal
employees and retirees may enroll in, change or cancel their
existing health plan. They can also choose to enroll in, change or
cancel their dental and vision coverage. And in order to
participate in the flexible savings account for the following year,
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