What you need
Who is on your plan: just you (Self Only), you and one other person (Self Plus One), or a family (Self and Family)
For each plan: the premium you pay, the deductible, your share after the deductible, the out-of-pocket limit, and any money the plan puts in an HSA or HRA
All of these are in OPM's Plan Comparison Tool and each plan's brochure on OPM.gov. Use the in-network numbers.
Three numbers to compare
Healthy year: premiums only, minus any money the plan gives you. Checkups in network are free.
Typical year: a rough estimate for the amount of care you usually use.
Worst year: premiums plus the out-of-pocket limit. That is usually the most you would pay for covered in-network care. If you could not cover it from savings, weigh it heavily.
Before you switch
Check that your doctors, hospital, and prescriptions are covered by the new plan.
If you add a family member, you now need to send proof they are eligible (new for 2027).
If you have FSAFEDS, you must re-enroll every year. It does not carry over.
Changes take effect January 10, 2027 for most employees and January 1, 2027 for retirees and PSHB.
Common questions
When is FEHB Open Season 2026?
November 9 through December 14, 2026. Changes take effect January 10, 2027 for most employees, and January 1, 2027 for annuitants and PSHB enrollees.
How much are FEHB premiums going up for 2027?
OPM says the enrollee share is up 10.9% on average for FEHB and 8.2% for PSHB. Your plan may be higher or lower. Check your plan's rate on OPM.gov.
Is the plan with the lowest premium the cheapest?
Not always. A low-premium plan usually has a higher deductible and out-of-pocket limit. If you have a bad year, it can cost more in total. That is why this calculator shows a healthy, typical, and worst year.
What is a high deductible health plan (HDHP) worth to me?
HDHPs put money in a health savings account (HSA) for you each year. That money is yours to keep, even if you leave the plan. If you have Medicare, TRICARE, recent VA care, or a regular FSAFEDS health care account, you get an HRA instead, which can only pay for care.
Do I have to do anything if I like my plan?
No. Your FEHB or PSHB coverage continues. But check that your plan is not ending. Nine FEHB plans are leaving for 2027. If yours is one of them and you do nothing, you are moved to a default plan.
Does this tool save my information?
No. Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere. Close the page and it is gone.
Why I built this
Too many people pick a health plan by premium alone, then get hit with a deductible they never planned for. The total cost is the number that matters. This puts it on one screen.
Brian Mongold, Chief Master Sergeant (retired)
Help keep this accurate
OPM and your plan's brochure are the official sources. Something wrong or out of date? Send me a note and I will fix it.
Version 1.2. Checked October 2026 against OPM's Open Season announcement and plan year 2027 highlights.
The fine print
Unofficial tool. Not affiliated with OPM. Not financial advice.
More free tools
How to Read Your Civilian LES, TSP Contribution and Match Check, and Federal Retirement Records Organizer. See more Federal employee tools or all free tools.
FREE · FEHB AND PSHB · NOTHING YOU TYPE IS SAVED
Open Season Cost Calculator
The premium is only part of what a health plan costs. Compare plans by what you could pay for the whole year.
What the numbers mean
- Healthy year: what you pay in premiums, minus any money the plan gives you. Checkups and screenings in network are free.
- Typical year: a rough estimate for the amount of care you picked in step 4. It is a guide, not a quote.
- Worst year: premiums plus the plan's out-of-pocket limit. That limit is usually the most you would pay for covered in-network care in a year. Some plans have a separate limit for prescriptions. Check the brochure.
- Money the plan gives you: HSA money is yours to keep, even if you leave the plan. HRA money can only pay for care and stays with the plan, so it only counts here when you use it. Have TRICARE, Medicare, VA care in the last 3 months, or a regular FSAFEDS health care account? You can't have an HSA. The high deductible plan gives you an HRA instead.
Unofficial estimate from the numbers you typed. Not affiliated with OPM. Not financial advice. Does not include out-of-network care, services the plan does not cover, dental, or vision. Employee premiums are usually taken before taxes. Retiree premiums are not. The plan brochure on OPM.gov is the official source. Open Season runs November 9 through December 14, 2026.
Free FEHB Open Season Calculator: What Will Each Plan Really Cost?
Premiums for 2027 are up 10.9% on average for enrollees. But the premium is only part of the bill. A plan with low premiums can cost you more in a bad year. This free calculator shows what each plan could cost you for the whole year: a healthy year, a typical year, and a worst year. Open Season runs November 9 through December 14, 2026. No email. Nothing saved.