FEHB Premiums for 2027: Enrollee Share Up 10.9 Percent, and Proof Required to Add a Family Member

Bottom line

Premium growth in the federal health program slowed again, and it is still the third straight year of double-digit increases in what enrollees pay ^{[2, 3]}. OPM published the 2027 rates on September 30 for the open season that runs November 9 through December 14 ^{[1, 3]}. The larger change is administrative: for the first time, adding a spouse or child during open season requires proof that the person is eligible ^{[2, 4]}.

What happened

The rates. For the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, OPM’s highlights put the average 2027 premium increase at 9.3 percent, down from 10.2 percent in 2026 ^[2]. The enrollee share rises 10.9 percent on average, against 12.3 percent last year, and the government’s contribution rises 8.6 percent ^[2]. Federal News Network counts back further: enrollees saw 13.5 percent in 2025, 7.7 percent in 2024 and 8.7 percent in 2023 ^[3].

The Postal Service Health Benefits Program, priced separately, comes in lower. Total PSHB premiums rise 6.7 percent and the enrollee share 8.2 percent, after 11.3 percent for 2026 ^{[2, 3]}. Dental premiums rise 1.0 percent on average and vision 1.6 percent ^[2].

Readers should note why the enrollee share outpaces the total. The government’s contribution is set by formula: the lesser of 72 percent of the program-wide weighted average premium or 75 percent of the plan’s own premium ^[2]. When the total climbs, the enrollee carries the remainder.

OPM attributes the increases to rising prices and use of inpatient, physician, outpatient and surgical care, growth in behavioral and mental health care, and drug spending, naming GLP-1s and specialty drugs ^[2].

OPM’s position. Matthew Kiley, OPM’s associate director for healthcare and insurance, said: “For the second year in a row, OPM has been able to reduce the average rate of premium increases for federal employees and annuitants” ^[1]. He called it “just the start of a more comprehensive set of programs” to keep enrollees from being “priced out of the market” ^[1].

The other view. William Shackelford, national president of NARFE, told Federal News Network the increases “will cause sticker shock” ^[3]. He tied them to the planned 2027 pay freeze for most General Schedule employees and to workforce cuts, saying the hikes further erode “the appeal of federal employment” ^[3]. He also said enrollees “have options” if they compare plans ^[3].

The plans. FEHB will have 45 carriers and 118 plan options; PSHB, 17 carriers and 65 options ^{[1, 2]}. Nine FEHB options end with 2026, including both Independent Health options and four Health Net of California options ^[2]. One PSHB plan, UnitedHealthcare’s Choice Plus Primary Postal East, is also leaving ^[2].

Benefit design. For 2027, every carrier will require documented participation in intensive behavioral therapy before and during treatment with anti-obesity drugs, with 12 to 22 sessions a year covered depending on progress ^[2]. Plans must still cover at least one GLP-1 and two oral anti-obesity medications ^[2]. Carriers were also told to drop provider payments tied to pediatric and prenatal vaccine uptake, while plans must continue covering in-network vaccines the CDC recommends ^[2]. FSAFEDS adds an optional debit card ^{[1, 2]}.

The verification rule. Congress set this up in the FEHB Protection Act of 2025, section 90101 of Public Law 119-21, enacted July 4, 2025 ^[5]. It ordered OPM to verify, within a year, both the qualifying life event behind any family addition and that the person added is an eligible family member, “including during any open season” ^[5]. It also requires a three-year audit of covered family members, beginning one year after enactment, with a review of marriage and birth certificates, and it funds the work with $66 million ^[5].

OPM issued the rule without prior comment on June 2, effective July 2, citing its lack of discretion under the statute ^[4]. Before it, proof was required only after a qualifying life event, and OPM had not required employing offices to verify open season additions ^[4]. Now 5 CFR 890.302(a)(1)(i) says the enrollee “must provide proof of family member eligibility” whenever a family member is added ^[4]. OPM’s rationale rests on a 2022 GAO report and on agency reviews of more than 19,000 cases in 2024, which confirmed almost 2 percent of family members ineligible, with up to 4.36 percent potentially so ^[4]. Its central estimate of the effect on premiums is small: rates in 2025 would have been 0.018 percent lower without those family members ^[4].

What it means for you

Employees adding a family member this open season. Gather the documents before November 9. The rule lists examples: government-issued marriage or birth certificates, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, adoption decrees, federal tax returns for children or stepchildren under 26, and medical certification for a disabled adult child ^[4]. Proof goes to “the employing office, the carrier, or OPM, as specified by OPM” ^[4].

Enrollees not adding anyone. The new rule does not, by its terms, reverify family members already covered ^[4]. OPM chose not to require periodic reverification for now and said it may consider it in a planned enrollment integrity rule ^[4]. The statutory audit is separate, and it can reach existing coverage ^[5]. If a family member is removed for lack of documentation, existing rules allow a request for reconsideration within 60 days of the decision ^[4].

Postal employees. The rule assigns initial PSHB family eligibility decisions to employing offices, which for postal workers means the Postal Service, consistent with its past practice ^[4]. PSHB enrollees will also see a redesigned enrollment portal during open season ^[2].

Timing. Open season changes take effect January 1, 2027 for annuitants and PSHB enrollees, and January 10, 2027 for non-postal employees ^[2]. For General Schedule employees facing the planned 2027 pay freeze, a higher premium share comes out of an unchanged salary ^[3].

Enrollees in a departing plan. Pick a replacement. If you do nothing, OPM places departing FEHB enrollees in Compass Rose Standard and the departing PSHB plan’s enrollees in FEP Blue Focus ^[2]. A default plan is not chosen around your doctors or prescriptions.

Contractors. The rule’s list of who may enroll covers federal employees, annuitants, family members, former spouses, groups named in statute and certain tribal employees ^[4]. Contractor staff are not on it.

Separate from the rates. Federal News Network reports that a group of congressional Democrats urged OPM Director Scott Kupor to drop a plan to collect claims-level data from FEHB and PSHB, citing privacy and security concerns ^[3]. In June, OPM described steps to secure that data ^[3]. Nothing in the open season materials addresses that plan ^{[1, 2]}.

Questions you’re probably asking

How much are FEHB premiums going up in 2027?

On average, the enrollee share rises 10.9 percent and total premiums 9.3 percent, down from 12.3 and 10.2 percent for 2026 ^[2]. Individual plans vary, so check your own plan’s rate chart ^{[2, 3]}.

How much are PSHB premiums going up for postal employees and retirees in 2027?

The average PSHB enrollee share rises 8.2 percent, with total premiums up 6.7 percent ^{[2, 3]}.

Do I need documents to add my spouse or child to FEHB during open season?

Yes. Starting with this open season, anyone adding a new family member must submit supporting documentation, such as a marriage or birth certificate ^{[2, 4]}. The requirement comes from the FEHB Protection Act of 2025 ^[5].

When is the 2026 federal benefits open season?

November 9 through December 14, 2026 ^[1]. Health and dental or vision enrollments carry over if you do nothing, but FSAFEDS accounts do not ^{[1, 2]}.

What happens if my FEHB plan is leaving the program in 2027?

You must pick a new plan during open season. Otherwise OPM moves you into a default plan: Compass Rose Standard for FEHB, or FEP Blue Focus for the departing PSHB plan ^[2].

When do 2027 FEHB open season changes take effect?

January 10, 2027 for most non-postal employees, and January 1, 2027 for annuitants and PSHB enrollees ^[2].

What I’m watching

• Early November: OPM’s 2027 brochures and plan comparison tools, and instructions on how and when to submit family member documents ^[2].
• November 9 to December 14: open season itself ^[1].
• November 16: comments close on OPM’s request for information on how many and what kinds of plan options carriers should offer, under a rule that now caps each plan at three options, or two plus a high-deductible plan ^[6].