2026 Federal Employee Health Benefits and Postal Service Health Benefits Plan Information

Last week, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released the 2026 Federal Employee Health Benefits and Postal Service Health Benefits plan information. This update provides valuable insights into the changes and updates that will be available for federal employees and their families in the upcoming year.

Overview of the Plans

The Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) plans are two types of health insurance plans offered to federal employees and their families. The FEHB plan is sponsored by the OPM, while the PSHB plan is sponsored by the United States Postal Service.

Changes in the 2026 Plans

The OPM has announced several changes for the 2026 FEHB and PSHB plans. Some of these changes include:

Premium Increases

• The FEHB premium will increase by 2% in 2026, which is lower than the predicted increase of 3-4%.
• The PSHB premium will also increase by 2%, but with a slight adjustment to the maximum out-of-pocket cost.

Changes to Benefits

• In 2026, some medical services and prescriptions will no longer be covered under the FEHB plan.
• The PSHB plan will cover additional dental care services and will have higher limits for vision care.

New Health Savings Account (HSA) Options

• In 2026, federal employees will have the option to contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) through their FEHB plan.
• HSAs allow individuals to set aside pre-tax dollars for medical expenses and can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses.

Changes to Network Providers

• Some network providers may not participate in the 2026 FEHB plan, so federal employees should check their coverage before seeking care.
• The PSHB plan will have additional network providers participating in the plan.

Impact on Federal Employees and Families

The changes in the 2026 FEHB and PSHB plans may impact federal employees and families differently. Some of these impacts include:

Increased Costs

• Premium increases and changes to benefits may result in higher costs for federal employees and their families.
• Families with higher incomes may see a greater impact from premium increases.

Access to Care

• Changes to network providers may limit access to certain medical services or care providers.
• Federal employees should verify coverage before seeking care to avoid surprise medical bills.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

• HSAs can help federal employees save for medical expenses and reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
• Contributions to HSAs are tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free.

Conclusion

The 2026 FEHB and PSHB plan information provides valuable insights into the changes that will be available for federal employees and their families in the upcoming year. Federal employees should review the updated plans carefully and verify coverage before seeking care to avoid surprise medical bills. With careful planning, federal employees can take advantage of new benefits and reduce their out-of-pocket costs.

Recommendations

• Federal employees should review the updated 2026 FEHB and PSHB plan information carefully.
• Verify coverage before seeking care to avoid surprise medical bills.
• Consider opening a Health Savings Account (HSA) to save for medical expenses.
• Take advantage of new benefits, such as additional dental care services and higher limits for vision care.

Next Steps

To stay up-to-date with the latest information on federal employee health benefits, we recommend:

• Visiting the OPM website for more information on the 2026 FEHB and PSHB plans.
• Checking with human resources or payroll to verify coverage before seeking care.
• Reviewing your plan documents carefully to understand changes and updates.

By taking these steps, federal employees can make informed decisions about their health insurance coverage and take advantage of new benefits in the upcoming year.