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DCHR

DCHR

Open Enrollment 2025

2025 Employee Benefits Open Enrollment Banner

Welcome to the Benefits BlockBuster:
It's Time to Choose Your Employee Benefits for 2025!

Open Enrollment for 2025 DC Government Employee Benefits is Now Closed

Open Enrollment for employees with district benefits has begun and ends Monday, December 9th, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review your current benefit elections and make any necessary changes. If you are satisfied with your current benefits and have no new dependents to add, take advantage of this Annual Benefits Enrollment period to review your benefit elections for accuracy and update your designated beneficiaries. If no changes are made, all elections except enrollments for Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Saving Accounts will carry over to the 2025 plan year; however, the costs will reflect the 2025 premium amounts.

PLEASE NOTE:

If you need a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2025, you must re-enroll with a new annual pledge every year for healthcare and dependent care programs as current annual pledges do not carry forward into the new plan year.
 

Coverage Effective Dates

• For employees who are paid biweekly, changes made during Open Enrollment will be effective January 12, 2025.
• For employees who are paid semi-monthly (some DCPS and UDC), changes made during Open Enrollment will be effective January 1, 2025.
 

 
 

Important Update: Open Enrollment In-Person Fair

The in-person fair scheduled for Thursday, December 5th at the Marion S. Barry, Jr. Building has been cancelled.

Please join us for the final in-person fair on Wednesday, December 4th at the Department of General Services (DGS)3924 Minnesota Avenue, NE.

 

 

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Learn How to Update, Change, or Enroll in Your Benefits

You can access ESS through PeopleSoft at https://ess.dc.gov on your work computer or any computer with an internet connection.

 
 

Open Enrollment Highlights Banner


Enjoy a Seamless Experience:
Catch the Open Enrollment Highlights

Are you ready for the show? Accessing your benefits has never been easier! Here are the key highlights to guide you through your options and ensure your employee benefits enrollment or changes are a box office success.

Act now! Click the topics below and let the benefits roll:

What's New for 2025

Find out what you need to know about the 2025 benefits changes before enrolling in or changing your benefits this year.

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CareFirst CDHP Plan: DC Government employees and their eligible family members can choose the CareFirst CDHP plan, which offers low premiums but higher deductibles and out-of-pocket limits. This allows pre-tax spending on healthcare services, providing more control over expenses. Often paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA), CDHPs enable informed healthcare choices and tax-free savings for medical costs. Please see the CareFirst CDHP Health Plan Summary for more details.
 

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457(b) Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan Contribution Limits: The 2025 elective deferral limit for 457(b) plans is $23,500. The 2025 Age 50 Catch-Up Limit is $7,500 ($31,000 total), and the Pre-Retirement Catch-Up Limit is $23,500 ($47,000 total). Deductions start with the pay period that begins on December 15, 2024.
 

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Health Care FSA Contribution Limit: The 2025 pre-tax contribution limit for Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (HCFSA) is $3,300. Deductions start with the pay period that begins on December 15, 2024.
 

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Commuter Benefit Contribution Limit: The 2025 maximum monthly pre-tax contribution limit for mass transit and parking is $325. Deductions start with the pay period that begins on December 15, 2024.
 

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Health Savings Account Contribution Limit: For participants enrolling in the Aetna CDHP or CareFirst CDHP with HSA, the 2025 pre-tax contribution limit for Health Savings Accounts (HSA) is $4,300 for individual coverage and $8,550 for family coverage. Please visit the respective CDHP (Aetna or CareFirst) plan pages for more information. Deductions start with the pay period that begins on December 15, 2024.


 

Hybrid Open Enrollment Benefits Fair Schedule

DCHR will have Hybrid Open Enrollment Benefits Fairs this year. We will host a total of 14 events with 8 onsite fairs and 6 days of virtual sessions. Join the in-person fair and webinars for the latest benefit updates and personalized expert guidance to align your choices with your unique needs.

Onsite Fairs

Get a chance to meet the healthcare vendors in person at our 8 onsite fairs at the following DC Government locations:

DCHR – November 12
DC Health – November 13
DCPS – November 14
DCPL – November 19
DDOT– November 20
UDC – November 21
DGS – December 4
CANCELLED: Marion S. Barry, Jr. Building – December 5
 

See Hybrid Fairs Schedule

 

Live Webinars

We are hosting 6 days of multiple one-hour virtual sessions, each with time slots for healthcare vendors to present the 2025 benefits package available to the workforce.

Please note: You don't have to commit to the entire day; you can participate in individual sessions as needed.

View the complete week-by-week schedule of the virtual sessions below.
 

See Live Webinars Schedule

 

 

 

Rollover Information for Flexible Spending Accounts

All unused funds from 2024 for Commuter Benefits (Transit & Parking) Flexible Spending Accounts will roll over into 2025.
Account balances and access will be uninterrupted. 

 

PLEASE NOTE:

If you need a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2025, you must re-enroll with a new annual pledge every year for healthcare and dependent care programs as current annual pledges do not carry forward into the new plan year.
 

Important rollover limits for the plan year 2025

Plan

Contribution Limits

Rollover Limits

Health Care Flexible Spending Account

Maximum Annual Contribution: $3,300

Maximum: $660

Dependent Care Flexible Account

Maximum Annual Contribution: $5,000

Unused funds will be forfeited

Commuter Benefits Program(Transit & Parking)

Maximum Monthly Contribution: $325

All unused funds rollover to next plan year

 

For more information on Flexible Spending Accounts, please click HERE.
 

Available Benefits for 2025

For additional plan resources and details, please visit our Open Enrollment 2025 On-Demand Resources page.

Benefit
Plan Options
Who Pays
How to Enroll
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
  • Cigna DHMO: 100% employer paid.
  • Cigna DPPO: Employees pay a portion of the cost of coverage.
  • Premiums are deducted from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis. See Plan Rates for more details.
Vision Insurance
  • 100% employer paid.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

*You must be enrolled in the Aetna or CareFirst CDHP to be eligible.

  • Employees can choose to contribute funds from your paycheck to your HSA on a pre-tax basis.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Contributions are deducted from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis.
  • Deductions start with the pay period that begins on December 15, 2024.
Indemnity Insurance
  • Employees pay the full cost of coverage.
  • Premiums are deducted from your paycheck.
Disability Insurance
  • Employee pay the full cost of coverage.
  • Premiums are deducted from your paycheck on an after-tax basis.
Retirement Plans
  • Contributions are deducted from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis.
  • Deductions start with the pay period that begins on December 15, 2024.
Commuter Benefits
  • BRI: Employees can choose to contribute funds from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis.
  • Deductions for Parking and Transit start with the pay period that begins on December 15, 2024.
  • SmartBenefits: Subsidized through DC Government and WMATA
Savings Plans
  • Contributions are made by Direct Deposit.
Employee Assistance Plan
  • 100% employer paid for the first 5 sessions
 

ALEX, the Virtual Benefits Counselor

ALEX® is an interactive tool that will ask you a few questions about your health care needs, crunch some numbers, and educate you about the plans that best fit your personal and family needs. It's that easy!
Get started with Alex now..

Take a Sneak Peek at Your 2025 Benefits with Alex Now

Alex Benefits Sneak Peak

 

How long does it take go through ALEX?

Going through the entire ALEX experience and clicking every possible button can take about 30 minutes or so, but the actual duration of your experience will depend on your needs. Most users spend about 7 minutes with the tool. Also, you can always save your place in ALEX and return later simply by providing your email address.

 
 
 
 

Medical Premium Plan Rates


2025 Medical Premium Costs for Employees Hired Before October 1987

Please visit the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Health Care Plan Information page for 2025 medical premiums. In addition to the biweekly and monthly premiums, you can also find the total premiums, the amount the government pays, and the change in your portion of the premium compared to last year.

If you are updating your Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB), please complete Standard Form SF-2809 and email to [email protected].

 



2025 Medical Premium Costs for Employees Hired On or After October 1, 1987*


Aetna CDHP with HSA

► View Aetna CDHP HSA Health Plan Summary

Type
2025 Biweekly Premium
2025 Monthly Premium
Self Only
$52.33
$113.38
Self + 1
$102.86
$222.86
Family
$151.21
$327.62


Aetna HMO

► View Aetna HMO Open Health Plan Summary

Type
2025 Biweekly Premium
2025 Monthly Premium
Self Only
$135.67
$293.95
Self + 1
$268.44
$581.61
Family
$389.44
$843.77


Aetna PPO

► View Aetna PPO Health Plan Summary

Type
2025 Biweekly Premium
2025 Monthly Premium
Self Only
$130.28
$282.26
Self + 1
$256.08
$554.85
Family
$376.47
$815.68
 

For more information, please visit the Aetna DC Government Microsite.

For Aetna's formulary (prescription drugs), please visit the  Aetna Formulary Page.
 



CareFirst CDHP

► View Carefirst CDHP Summary

Type
2025 Biweekly Premium
2025 Monthly Premium
Self Only
$50.56
$109.55
Self + 1
$96.57
$209.24
Family
$148.15
$320.98


CareFirst HMO

► View Carefirst HMO Summary

Type
2025 Biweekly Premium
2025 Monthly Premium
Self Only
$100.28
$217.28
Self + 1
$197.56
$428.04
Family
$289.82
$627.93


CareFirst PPO

► View Carefirst PPO Summary

Type
2025 Biweekly Premium
2025 Monthly Premium
Self Only
$110.72
$239.88
Self + 1
$211.47
$458.18
Family
$324.40
$702.85
 

For more information, please visit the Carefirst DC Government Microsite.

For CareFirst's Formulary (Prescription Drugs), please visit the  CareFirst Formulary Page.
 



Kaiser Permanente HMO

► View Kaiser Permanente Plan Summary

Type
2025 Biweekly Premium
2025 Monthly Premium
Self Only
$93.83
$203.30
Self + 1
$179.22
$388.30
Family
$274.91
$595.64
 

For more information, please visit the Kaiser Permanente DC Government Microsite or contact Kaiser Permanente Member Services.

For Kaiser Permanente's Drug Formulary, please visit the  Kaiser Permanente Drug Formulary (Covered Drugs) Page and Kaiser Permanente list of Covered Drugs.
 



UnitedHealthcare Choice Open Access HMO

► View UnitedHealthcare Choice Open Access HMO Plan Summary

Type
2025 Biweekly Premium
2025 Monthly Premium
Self Only
$118.36
$256.45
Self + 1
$226.07
$489.81
Family
$346.79
$751.37


UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus PPO

► View UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus PPO Plan Summary

Type
2025 Biweekly Premium
2025 Monthly Premium
Self Only
$116.68
$252.81
Self + 1
$222.86
$482.86
Family
$341.87
$740.72
 

For more information, please visit the UnitedHealthcare DC Government Microsite or contact UnitedHealthcare Member Services.

For UnitedHealthcare Formulary (Prescription Drugs), please visit the  UnitedHealthcare Prescription Drug List.
 

 

In the event the plan rates listed here do not match the provider's listed rates, always default to the rates listed with the provider.
Click here for 2024 rates.

 

Vision & Dental Premium Plan Rates


2025 Vision Plan

Vision coverage is available at no cost to eligible employees. DC Government pays 100 percent of the premium. For more information, please see the Vision Summary Plan Description or visit the VSP Vision Care Microsite.
 



2025 Dental Plan

Cigna Dental HMO: The District pays for 100 percent of the premium costs for the DHMO benefit.
For more information, please see the Cigna Dental HMO Patient Charge Schedule.

Cigna Dental PPO: For more information, please see the Cigna DPPO Summary.


2025 Cigna DPPO Premium Rates

Type
2025 Biweekly Premium
2025 Monthly Premium
Self Only
$26.71
$57.87
Self + 1
$37.91
$82.14
Family
$49.16
$106.51
 
 

In the event the plan rates listed here do not match the provider's listed rates, always default to the rates listed with the provider.
Click here for 2024 rates.

 

VIP Guide to Open Enrollment

Make better benefits choices with our list of benefits tools and resources to help you prepare.

Alex, Virtual Benefit Counselor Tool

Meet Alex, the Virtual Benefits Counselor

Talk to Alex 

Live Open Enrollment Benefits Webinars Tool

Join Live Open Enrollment Benefits Webinars

See the Schedule

Benefits Plan Comparisons at a Glance Tool

View Benefits Plan Comparisons at a Glance

Compare Plans

 

 


Open Enrollment Resources

2025 Open Enrollment Checklist

2025 Open Enrollment Checklist

The Open Enrollment Checklist provides step-by-step guidance to ensure you can make timely and appropriate updates to your benefits elections for 2025.
 

2025 Health Care Premiums Plan Rates and Changes

2025 Health Care Premiums Plan Rates and Changes

Explore the 2025 Healthcare Premiums Plan Rates and Changes for a clear view of upcoming premium changes to find the best coverage for you and your family.
 

2025 How to Enroll or Make Changes Guide

2025 How to Enroll or Make Changes Guide

The How to Enroll or Make Changes Guide is a step-by-step, guide for enrolling or making changes in your DC Government Benefits through Employee Self Service (ESS).
 

DC Government Employees Benefits Boss On-Demand Trainings

2025 Benefits Boss On-Demand Trainings

Rule your benefits like a pro with our On-Demand Benefits Boss Trainings. Dive into recorded sessions to enhance your understanding and make informed choices at your own pace.
 

2025 DC Government Employee Benefits Guide

2025 DC Government Employee Benefits Guide

The DC Government Benefits Guide provides comprehensive information about your DC Government employee benefits.
 

2025 DC Government Employee Benefits at a Glance

2025 DC Government Employee Benefits at a Glance

The DC Government Benefits At a Glance provides key information about your DC Government employee benefits.
 

 
 


Contact the DCHR Benefits & Retirement Administration

The DCHR Benefits and Retirement Administration can be reached Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the following:

Phone: 202.442.7627
Email: [email protected]


Payroll Concerns & Questions

For issues regarding payroll or paychecks, please contact the Office of Pay and Retirement Services.

Phone: 202.741.8600

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