Choosing between Self Plus One vs. Self and Family comes down to how many people you need to cover. Self Plus One covers you and one eligible family member you designate. Self and Family covers you and all of your eligible family members. Federal Benefits Open Season runs from November 9 through December 14, 2026, and it is the main chance each year to switch enrollment types for 2027.
Premiums are rising again for 2027, so it pays to make sure you are not paying for more coverage than you need, or leaving someone uncovered. Here is how the three FEHB and PSHB enrollment types work and how to pick the right one.
The three enrollment types
The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program offer the same three enrollment types:
- Self Only covers just you.
- Self Plus One covers you and one eligible family member that you designate.
- Self and Family covers you and all of your eligible family members.
Each plan sets a separate premium for each enrollment type. The government contribution is also calculated separately for each type, so you cannot assume the difference between two types is the same from one plan to the next.
Who counts as an eligible family member
According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), eligible family members include:
- Your spouse.
- Your children under age 26, including adopted children, stepchildren and foster children.
- A child age 26 or older who is incapable of self-support because of a physical or mental disability that began before age 26.
Parents, former spouses and domestic partners are not eligible family members, even if they live with you.
Self Plus One vs. Self and Family: how to decide
When Self Plus One makes sense
Self Plus One is designed for households with exactly one eligible family member to cover. Common examples include:
- A married couple with no children under 26.
- A single parent with one child.
- A couple where one spouse has their own coverage and you want to cover one child.
With Self Plus One, you designate which family member is covered. Only that person has coverage under your enrollment.
When Self and Family makes sense
Self and Family is the right choice when you need to cover two or more family members. It automatically covers all of your eligible family members, which matters when you add a new child through birth or adoption.
When to check both options
Some families are in transition. A child may turn 26 in 2027, or a spouse may gain or lose employer coverage. If your household will shrink during the year, compare what you will pay for each enrollment type and think about when the change will happen.
A child generally loses eligibility as a family member at age 26 unless the child is incapable of self-support. That child may be able to buy temporary continuation of coverage (TCC). Plan ahead so the transition does not leave a gap.
Why the choice matters more for 2027
OPM's plan year 2027 open season highlights report these average changes:
- FEHB: average total premium up 9.3%, average enrollee share up 10.9%.
- PSHB: average total premium up 6.7%, average enrollee share up 8.2%.
These are averages across all plans. Your plan's change may be higher or lower. OPM explains that the government contribution is the lesser of 72% of the program-wide weighted average premium for your enrollment type or 75% of your plan's total premium. That means your share depends on both the plan and the enrollment type you pick.
You can find the 2027 rates for every plan and enrollment type on OPM's premiums page. Look up both the Self Plus One and Self and Family rates for your plan before you decide. If you are a postal employee or annuitant, PSHB rates are also available in the Postal Service Health Benefits System.
New documentation rule for adding family members
There is a new step this year. Under the FEHB Protection Act of 2025, beginning with Open Season for plan year 2027, anyone who adds a new family member to an FEHB or PSHB enrollment during Open Season must submit supporting documentation.
That includes moving from Self Only to Self Plus One or Self and Family to cover a spouse or child. Gather marriage certificates, birth certificates or adoption papers before you make the change. Our guide to documents for adding a family member to FEHB lists what to have ready.
When the change takes effect
The effective date depends on who you are:
- FEHB, non-postal employees: January 10, 2027.
- FEHB, compensationers (OWCP): January 24, 2027.
- FEHB, annuitants: January 1, 2027.
- PSHB, all enrollees: January 1, 2027.
Your current enrollment continues until the new one starts.
Don't forget dental and vision
The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) also offers Self Only, Self Plus One and Self and Family enrollment. FEDVIP is separate from FEHB, so changing your health enrollment does not change your dental or vision enrollment. If your household changes, review all of them. OPM reports average FEDVIP premium increases of 1.0% for dental and 1.6% for vision for 2027.
A quick checklist
Before December 14, 2026:
- 01Count the eligible family members you need to cover in 2027.
- 02Note any expected changes, such as a child turning 26 or a spouse changing jobs.
- 03Look up your plan's 2027 rates for each enrollment type.
- 04Compare other plans if your premium jumped.
- 05Gather documents for anyone you are adding.
- 06Review FEDVIP enrollment types too.
- 07Re-enroll in FSAFEDS if you want a flexible spending account in 2027.
Fitting the decision into your budget
Health premiums come out of every paycheck or annuity payment, so the enrollment type you choose affects your monthly budget all year. If your premium is going up, use our budget builder to see where the increase fits, and look at our tips to reduce your expenses. For a full review of every benefit before the deadline, use our Open Season checklist.
OPM's Open Season page has links to plan brochures, comparison tools and rate charts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Self Plus One and Self and Family?
Self Plus One covers you and one eligible family member you designate. Self and Family covers you and all of your eligible family members.
Can I switch from Self and Family to Self Plus One during Open Season?
Yes. Open Season, which runs November 9 through December 14, 2026, lets you change your enrollment type. If you add a family member who was not covered before, you will need to provide documentation.
Who can I cover under Self Plus One?
You can designate one eligible family member, such as your spouse or a child under 26. Parents, former spouses and domestic partners are not eligible.
When does my 2027 change take effect?
For FEHB non-postal employees, changes take effect January 10, 2027. For FEHB annuitants and all PSHB enrollees, changes take effect January 1, 2027.
Is Self Plus One always cheaper than Self and Family?
Not necessarily by the same amount in every plan. Each plan sets its own rates for each enrollment type, so check OPM's 2027 rate charts for your plan.
