By comparison, the average premium increase across all FEHB plans for 2026 is 12.3%, when taking into account the 47 carriers offering a total of 132 total plan options for next year. Not all plan options are available to all FEHB enrollees, as some are specific to certain agencies or geographic regions.

Premium costs, however, are far from the only factor that enrollees should be considering when making a plan selection, according to federal health plan experts.

“FEHB enrollees losing their NALC health plan should carefully consider which health plan will be the best fit for them,” said Kevin Moss, director of marketing and fundraising at Consumers’ Checkbook. “Besides reviewing the plan premium and out-of-pocket costs for benefits, make sure to check the website of the new plan you’re considering to see if your current providers will be in-network, and how any prescription drugs you may take will be covered.”

Notably, the lowest-cost nationwide plan, GEHA Elevate, has lower premiums, but also much lower coverage than GEHA High. NALC High — which the vast majority of those impacted by OPM’s decision are coming from — is more similar to GEHA High than it is to GEHA Elevate, but still with some differences in benefits.

For instance, an enrollee in NALC High who had a $300 deductible for a “self only” plan in 2025 would move to a $500 deductible in 2026 under GEHA High. By comparison, the enrollee’s deductible would increase to $750 under GEHA Elevate.

As another example, an enrollee in NALC High with a catastrophic out-of-pocket maximum of $3,500 for a “self only” plan would see that limit increase to $7,500 under GEHA High. The out-of-pocket maximum for GEHA Elevate, in contrast, is $10,600.

John Hatton, senior vice president of policy and programs at the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), said a higher-premium plan with more coverage may be the best plan for some enrollees, but not necessarily others.

“Maybe the high premium plan with more coverage is the right choice for you, but you may want to look at some other alternative plans that might be cheaper. Because there are options, even with really low deductible plans, that have lower premiums than the main big dogs in the program,” Hatton said in a recent interview on The Federal Drive. “So it’s really critical that you look and choose what’s best for you.”

The post Over 30,000 feds facing possible FEHB premium spike next year first appeared on Federal News Network.

Amid a lot of change and uncertainty for the federal workforce this year, taking advantage of this fall’s Open Season may be especially important for participants in the government’s health insurance programs.

Raj Vavilala, chief sales, marketing and product officer for G.E.H.A, the Government Employees Health Association, said he has been hearing frequently from federal employees this year about the need for reassurance — and strong continuity of care — within the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.

“When there’s a lot of change, we pride ourselves in being that trusted advisor, aspire to that status wherein we can actually share what all of this change means to a specific member or their family,” Vavilala said during Federal News Network’s 2026 Open Season Exchange. “Because health care, even though it’s a broad term, it’s very personalized to everybody’s specific needs.”

Individualized health care plans

Vavilala said health care shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. He noted that G.E.H.A offers a range of both health and dental options for enrollees, depending on their individual situation. That may be critical in a year that has been particularly challenging for the federal workforce.

Generally, the plan choices from G.E.H.A range from those with low premiums, to those with maximum coverage. For Vavilala, the end goal is to find the right fit for each federal employee as they navigate changes to both their careers and their health over time.

“The most important thing for every federal employee right now … is to engage in their health care,” he said. “This is the year of all years to actually take a look at what’s happening underneath the surface of your health care.”

Adjusting health care across your federal career

As any federal employee continues through, and beyond, their career in government, it’s practically inevitable that health care needs will change over time — and that means coverage needs will change over time as well.

Younger federal employees with few health needs or any federal employee that’s looking to save money with a health savings account for health needs in the future, for instance, may find value in a high-deductible health plan, Vavilala explained.

Whereas standard or high plan options may be better suited at later points in a federal employee’s career or for those looking for deeper benefits. There are also Medicare Advantage options, which may appeal more to federal retirees.

But on top of the various options, Vavilala said enrollees can access added benefits from G.E.H.A, in addition to those outlined by the respective federal program. These include  vision, fitness and hearing aid discounts — as well as telehealth options. Ultimately, he said the goal is to help enrollees navigate various situations and find the right benefits for them, including through managing any unpredictable changes that may come.

“We care for the health and well-being of our members more than anything else, and that sets a clear guide path on what matters to us, in terms of the decisions we make — whether it’s a product, whether it’s how we talk to members, how we educate them,” Vavilala said. “That’s really our secret sauce.”

Don’t be afraid to ask for Open Season help

And when seeking out different options during Open Season, participants aren’t alone in their search. Vavilala said G.E.H.A offers various ways for enrollees to get answers to their questions. That includes through digital comparison tools, as well as a customer service phone line.

There are also plan brochures available from each FEHB carrier and detailed information on the Office of Personnel Management’s website.

“You’ll have an opportunity to look at the brochure. You’ll have an opportunity to look at the material that all carriers provide to you,” Vavilala said. “But there is really no substitute for a conversation. Have a conversation with us — ask the questions and demand good answers. It’s our responsibility to help, to provide detailed information.”

G.E.H.A, the Government Employees Health Association, is a nonprofit member association that provides health and dental benefits that millions of federal employees and retirees, military retirees and their families have counted on since 1937.

“It’s an amazing honor to be part of this space serving federal employees and their families,” Vavilala said. “Every time we have a conversation with a federal employee, we realize this is not a job — this is a calling and a mission.”

Discover more articles and videos now on our 2026 Open Season Exchange event page.

The post 2026 Open Season Exchange: G.E.H.A’s Raj Vavilala on the value of stability — particularly this year first appeared on Federal News Network.