OPM extends deadline for federal vision, dental plan decisions

The Office of Personnel Management is extending the Open Season deadline for the Federal Employees Dental/Vision Program (FEDVIP), after technical problems left some members and enrollees unable to access their plans.

In a statement on OPM’s website, the agency said “BENEFEDS.com, is currently undergoing repairs due to technical issues,” and any enrollments, changes or cancellations would be allowed until midnight Dec. 14.

“This extension is only for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program,” the agency stated. “Open Season for FEHB and FSAFEDS has not been extended and ends at midnight today, Monday, December 12, 2016.”

In a tweet from OPM’s official Twitter account, the agency said, “We hear you: OPM has extended the FEDVIP dental & vision enrollments/change/cancellations deadline until midnight 12/14/16.”

We hear you: OPM has extended the FEDVIP dental & vision enrollments/change/cancellations deadline until midnight 12/14/16

— OPM (@USOPM) December 12, 2016

The call center is open until midnight Dec. 14, as an alternative to using the site, however, Federal News Radio received several reports that the call center was also experiencing problems.

National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) President Tony Reardon said in a statement that his organization was pleased OPM extended the deadline, adding that the union contacted OPM after hearing from many of its members about website problems.

The 2016 Open Season ran from Nov. 14 to Dec. 12, and was the time for Federal Employee Health Benefit Program participants to make changes to their coverage.

Very few people, usually about 6 percent of federal employees and retirees, actually make a change to their health plan, but OPM’s introduction of self-plus-one last year pushed more people to examine their plans and make changes.

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