![\"FEHB](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/FEHB_2026.png\")
Graph created by Federal News Network using Office of Personnel Management data from 2015-present.<\/p>\n
The PSHB program, which is open to more than 2 million USPS employees, annuitants and family members, is also set for a large premium increase for 2026. Enrollees in PSHB will be paying 11.3% more, on average, toward their 2026 premiums. In dollars, that\u2019s about $21.51 more per pay period.<\/p>\n
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The federal government covers about 75% of a participant\u2019s premium \u2014 and no more than 72% of the weighted average of the previous year\u2019s federal health insurance premiums.<\/p>\n
When accounting for the government\u2019s share of FEHB costs, which is increasing by about 9.2%, premiums will rise by 10.2% overall. PSHB premiums are increasing by 9% overall, when including the government\u2019s portion of the cost, which is going up by 8%.<\/p>\n
Open Season during a shutdown<\/p>\n
For this year\u2019s announcement, federal employees are facing more uncertainty than usual. The upcoming premium increases for the government\u2019s health insurance programs are compounded by the current shutdown, as well as the possibility of missing paychecks if the lapse in appropriations drags on.<\/p>\n
If a shutdown extends into November, OPM has said Open Season would still go on as normal<\/a>. Health benefits for federal and postal enrollees continue throughout the shutdown, but premium payments are paused for the duration of the shutdown.<\/p>\n Additionally, participants in FEHB, PSHB and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) \u2014 regardless of whether they are furloughed, excepted or exempt \u2014 can still make changes to their plan options during Open Season, even in the case of a shutdown. OPM finances those programs through a trust fund, rather than appropriations, meaning the funding is not expected to be interrupted.<\/p>\n But at the same time, OPM is now managing the FEHB and PSHB programs with significantly less staffing than in previous years. Due to the Trump administration\u2019s overhauls to the federal workforce, the agency is on track to lose 1,000 employees, or about one-third of its total workforce, by the end of the calendar year.<\/p>\n OPM\u2019s healthcare and insurance office<\/a>, which manages FEHB, PSHB, FEDVIP and other insurance programs, has lost a total of 80 employees this year through retirements, attrition, the deferred resignation program (DRP) and probationary terminations.<\/p>\n ]]><\/p>\n Over the summer, OPM\u2019s inspector general office warned that those staffing shortages, coupled with funding issues, put the PSHB\u2019s central enrollment platform at risk of an operational failure<\/a>. All PSHB participants must use the online platform to access their benefits and make changes to their health insurance options during Open Season.<\/p>\n A separate Government Accountability Office report earlier this year also found that recent OPM staffing vacancies led to a\u00a0suspension<\/a>\u00a0of fraud risk assessments in the FEHB program.<\/p>\n Looking ahead to 2026<\/p>\n Premium rates for federal health insurance programs inevitably increase to some extent each year.\u00a0Though the premium increases for enrollees average to 12.3% and 11.3% for 2026, some plan options will have smaller cost increases, while others will have bigger ones.<\/p>\n The large premium increase for federal health insurance also contrasts with the 1% federal pay raise<\/a> President Donald Trump is proposing for most General Schedule employees in 2026.<\/p>\n OPM Associate Director of Healthcare and Insurance Shane Stevens noted that the premium increases aren\u2019t as large as they were for 2025, which shows \u201csome positive movement.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll that being said, we recognize that increasing health care expenses at this clip is not a sustainable path,\u201d Stevens said in a blog post<\/a> Thursday. \u201cAs we assess the overall health vs. expense equation across the US, we find an alarming trend.\u201d<\/p>\n Stevens said OPM is looking to address the rising costs by cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse in the programs, as well as moving toward \u201ca more proactive, preventive health-first orientation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNone of these initiatives of course will happen overnight,\u201d Stevens said. \u201cBut, we are committed to improving the quality of life and quality of care for our members while also ensuring that healthcare remains accessible and affordable for those who work (or have worked) for the American people.\u201d<\/p>\n OPM\u2019s announcement Thursday comes about a month ahead of Open Season, the time of year that FEHB and PSHB enrollees can update their federal health insurance options for plan year 2026. This year\u2019s Open Season runs from Nov. 10 to Dec. 8.<\/p>\n ]]><\/p>\n Any changes made during Open Season will take effect when plan year 2026 officially starts on Jan. 1. More information and resources are available on OPM\u2019s website for both FEHB<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0PSHB<\/a>\u00a0participants.<\/p>\n