Health Plan Leaving FEHB or PSHB in 2027? What to Do Next

If your health plan is leaving FEHB or PSHB for 2027, you need to choose a new plan during Open Season, which runs November 9 through December 14, 2026. If you do nothing, you will be enrolled automatically in a default plan. For the nine FEHB plan options ending this year, the default is Compass Rose Standard. For the one PSHB plan option ending, the default is FEP Blue Focus.

A default plan keeps you covered, but it may not fit your doctors, prescriptions or budget. Here is how to find out whether your plan is affected and how to pick a replacement.

Which FEHB plans are leaving for 2027

According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), these FEHB plan options will not be available in 2027:

• Independent Health Standard
• Independent Health HDHP
• Blue Care Network of Michigan, Southeast High
• UHC (Choice Primary West) High
• UHC (Choice Plus Primary West) High
• Health Net of California (Northern) High
• Health Net of California (Southern) Standard
• Health Net of California (Southern) Basic
• Health Net of California (Southern) High

OPM says enrollees in these plans must select a new plan during Open Season or they will be enrolled automatically in the designated default plan, Compass Rose Standard.

Which PSHB plan is leaving for 2027

One Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) plan option is ending: UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, Inc. (Choice Plus Primary Postal East).

Its service area covered Alabama, Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Florida, the Atlanta metropolitan area in Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

Enrollees who do not choose a new plan will be enrolled automatically in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan FEP Blue Focus.

The full lists are in OPM's plan year 2027 Open Season highlights.

How to tell if your health plan is leaving FEHB

Check these places:

• Any notice you received. If your plan is ending, you may get a notice from the carrier or your benefits office.
• Your enrollment record. Compare your current plan name and option with the lists above. Pay attention to the option, not just the carrier. A carrier can drop one option while keeping others.
• Your agency or retirement system. Employees can ask their benefits office. Annuitants can contact OPM Retirement Services.

If you are not sure, assume you need to look. It costs nothing to compare plans. Even if your plan is staying, Open Season is a good time to confirm it still fits your needs for the year ahead.

Why you should not just accept the default

The default plan is a safety net, not a recommendation. Before you let it happen, check:

• Doctors and hospitals. Make sure your providers are in the new plan's network.
• Prescriptions. Check each drug against the new plan's formulary.
• Premiums. OPM reports the average FEHB enrollee share is rising 10.9% for 2027 and the average PSHB enrollee share is rising 8.2%. Your new plan's rate may be quite different from what you pay now.
• Deductibles and copays. A lower premium can come with higher costs when you use care.
• Enrollment type. Confirm whether you need Self Only, Self Plus One or Self and Family. Our guide to Self Plus One vs. Self and Family can help.

How to compare plans

OPM's plan comparison tool lets you compare FEHB plans available where you live. Postal employees and annuitants should use the Postal Service Health Benefits System to research and compare PSHB plans.

Here is a simple process:

1. 01List your doctors, hospitals and prescriptions.
2. 02Estimate how much care you expect in 2027.
3. 03Pull up three or four plans available in your area.
4. 04Compare premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket limits and drug coverage.
5. 05Read the 2027 plan brochures for anything that matters to you.
6. 06Make your election before December 14, 2026.

When your new plan starts

Your terminating plan does not leave you uncovered. OPM's guidance explains that the old plan continues to cover services until the new plan takes effect. For 2027, new enrollments take effect on these dates:

• FEHB, non-postal employees: January 10, 2027.
• FEHB, compensationers (OWCP): January 24, 2027.
• FEHB, annuitants: January 1, 2027.
• PSHB, all enrollees: January 1, 2027.

If you are in the middle of treatment, call the new plan before your coverage starts. Ask how they handle ongoing care, prior authorizations and refills.

Special notes for retirees

Retirees who keep FEHB or PSHB into retirement face the same choice. If you have Medicare, look at how each plan coordinates with it.

For postal annuitants, PSHB plans provide prescription drug coverage to Medicare Part D-eligible members through a Medicare Part D Employer Group Waiver Plan. When you switch plans, your drug coverage moves to the new plan's version.

Other changes worth knowing for 2027

Even if your plan is staying, 2027 brings changes. OPM's highlights note:

• All FEHB and PSHB carriers will require documented intensive behavioral therapy before and during GLP-1 treatment for weight management.
• Anyone adding a new family member during Open Season must provide supporting documentation.
• FSAFEDS will offer a Visa FSA card option, and you must re-enroll in FSAFEDS each year.

For a full review, use our Open Season checklist. If you are adding a spouse or child, see our guide to documents for adding a family member.

Common mistakes when a plan is ending

• Assuming the carrier is staying. A carrier may keep some plan options and drop others. Check the exact option you are enrolled in.
• Waiting until the last week. Open Season ends December 14, 2026. Leave time to call doctors and check drug coverage.
• Choosing on premium alone. A cheaper plan can cost more if your doctors are out of network or your drugs are not covered.
• Forgetting family members. If you are adding a spouse or child, have your supporting documents ready.
• Not saving confirmation. Keep a copy of your new election until you see the change on your pay statement or annuity statement.

Plan your budget for the change

A new plan can change how much comes out of every paycheck or annuity payment. Once you choose, update your monthly budget with our budget builder. If you are close to retirement, your health plan cost is one of the biggest pieces of your federal retirement blueprint.