# OPM Sets FEHB Open Season Deadline

Federal employees are comparing Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans amid reported premium increases, with open season scheduled to close December 14, 2026. The current continuing resolution is due to expire December 11, leaving uncertainty about a potential 3.8% pay raise; comments also suggest a possible exception for some VA employees, but do not establish that outcome. Employees and benefits stakeholders are weighing BCBS, MHBP, SAMBA, and GEHA HDHP options, while commenters flag the risk of waiting until the final day to submit an enrollment change if the system is unavailable.

- The December 14 enrollment deadline is 34 days away from November 10. FEHB plan providers and benefits administrators can expect employees to compare premiums and plan options during the remaining enrollment period.
- The possible pay raise remains uncertain as the CR expiration approaches. Federal benefits and health-plan stakeholders should avoid treating the raise, or the suggested VA exception, as confirmed.
- Employees planning a change can submit it before the final day to reduce the risk of a system outage preventing timely enrollment, a concern raised in the discussion.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Healthcare
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** November 09, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

### Vendors
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) (FEHB health plan provider)
- MHBP (FEHB health plan provider)
- SAMBA (FEHB health plan provider)
- GEHA (FEHB health plan provider)
- UnitedHealthcare (UHC) (Health plan network identified by a commenter as used by GEHA)

### Key Quotes
> I would be terrified that if I waited that long, the system would be down and I wouldn’t be able to submit my enrollment change. And since the system was up for 95% of the time, I could see OPM denying the request to allow an exception for a late enrollment.
> — Community commenter

### Sources
- [Fehb open season goes until dec 14th, CR expires dec 11th.](https://www.reddit.com/r/FedEmployees/comments/1xrveq2/fehb_open_season_goes_until_dec_14th_cr_expires) - reddit-fedemployees