NATCA Southwest Region · Open Season 2027
What’s changing in your health, dental and vision coverage
For NATCA-represented FAA employees in New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Every number links to its source.
The Southwest Region at a glance
Pick a state above to see only what applies there.
Why costs are rising
OPM points to higher hospital and physician prices, more use of care, growth in mental health care, and prescription drug spending, especially GLP-1s and specialty drugs.2
The government pays the lesser of 72% of the program-wide average premium or 75% of your plan’s premium. On pricier plans, every extra dollar above that line comes out of your check.2
Average increases, 2026 vs. 2027. Source: OPM.2
Action alerts
Plans that are leaving, merging or shrinking for 2027, from OPM’s official significant-events tables.3 If one of these is your plan, review your options before December 14.
Health plan prices for 2027
Biweekly employee share, non-Postal. Retirees pay monthly amounts shown on OPM’s rate charts.4
What the change costs you per year
Self Only, 2026 → 2027, over 26 pay periods.9
The Self Plus One trap
For these plans, Self Plus One costs more than Self and Family. OPM lets you choose Self and Family to cover one family member, so two-person households should price both.9
All nationwide plans
Available in all five states. Some are open only to members of a specific employee organization; check the brochure.5
| Plan | Codes | Self | Self+1 | Family | Change (Self) | Per year |
|---|
Deductible and out-of-pocket changes
In-network, Self Only / Family. From OPM’s plan-benefits files, as compared by FedTools.10
| Plan | Deductible 2026 → 2027 | Out-of-pocket max 2026 → 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| BCBS Standard | $350/$700 → $500/$1,000 | $6,000/$12,000 → $7,000/$14,000 |
| BCBS Basic | $0 → $0 | $7,500/$15,000 → $8,500/$17,000 |
| FEP Blue Focus | $750/$1,500 → $1,000/$2,000 | $10,000/$20,000 → $11,000/$22,000 |
| MHBP Standard | $350/$700 → $500/$1,000 | $6,000/$12,000 → $8,000/$16,000 |
| Aetna Direct | $1,600/$3,200 → $2,000/$4,000 | $6,000/$12,000 → $8,000/$16,000 |
| Aetna HealthFund HDHP | $1,800/$3,600 → $2,000/$4,000 | See brochure |
| GEHA (all five options), Compass Rose, SAMBA, APWU | No change | No change |
Also changing, per Consumers’ Checkbook:7 MHBP Standard moves emergency and inpatient hospital care from a flat $200 copay to 10% coinsurance and raises doctor-visit costs. BCBS Basic raises ER, inpatient hospital, maternity and inpatient mental health copays. BCBS Standard raises inpatient hospital and inpatient mental health copays. Read Section 2, “Changes for 2027,” in your plan’s brochure.5
What will my plan cost in 2027?
Premiums are only part of the cost. Add your likely deductible and copays, and treat the out-of-pocket maximum as your worst case.
Dental and vision (FEDVIP)
No dental or vision plan is leaving for 2027. Dental prices depend on your ZIP code; vision prices are the same everywhere. Enroll or change at BENEFEDS, not through your agency.2,12
Dental: Self Only price range by plan
Each bar runs from the cheapest to the most expensive rating region. Hover a bar for the exact range and change. FedTools analysis of OPM rate files10; official rates at OPM.11
Vision: 2027 biweekly (same price everywhere)11
| Vision option | Self | Self+1 | Family | Change |
|---|
New for 2027: BENEFEDS has a Compare Dental Service Costs tool that estimates out-of-pocket costs for 75 common dental services across all 11 dental carriers (FEDVIP account required).2
Rule changes in every plan
These apply no matter which plan you choose or where you live.2
GLP-1 and weight-loss drugs
Plans still cover at least one GLP-1 and two oral anti-obesity drugs, but every plan now requires documented participation in an intensive behavioral therapy program before and during treatment. Plans must cover 12–22 sessions a year plus medical nutrition therapy.2Adding a family member
You must now submit proof of eligibility when you add someone during Open Season (P.L. 119-21, Sec. 90101). Gather marriage or birth certificates first.2,17FSAFEDS debit card
A new Visa debit card for Health Care and Limited Expense FSAs lets you pay at the counter. You still have to re-enroll every year.2FSA and HSA limits
Health Care FSA limit $3,500, with up to $700 carryover if you stay enrolled. HSA limits $4,500 Self Only / $9,000 family.7 HSA-qualified HDHP minimum deductible: $1,750 / $3,500.18Vaccines
In-network ACIP-recommended vaccines stay fully covered. Provider cash incentives tied to pediatric and prenatal vaccine rates are removed.2Maternity
USPSTF-recommended perinatal depression prevention is covered in-network at no cost, and midwives are listed in provider directories.2Site of care
Most plans now flag preferred places for care, like urgent care, office infusion and virtual-first care. Using them can lower your costs.2Other
Wellness incentives expand to all members, digital therapeutics coverage varies by plan, and plan materials will include information on the TrumpRx cash-price program.2
Your Open Season checklist
Tick items off as you go. Your progress stays on this device.
Do your own research
Don’t take our word for it. These are the tools and official documents behind every number on this page.
Official tools (OPM and government)
Independent comparison tools
Sources
About this page. Compiled November 8, 2026 by Sanchez for Southwest volunteers from the sources above. Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM, the FAA or any carrier. State plan prices come from FedPayscale’s compilation of OPM’s 2027 rate files; deductible and dental figures come from FedTools’ comparisons of OPM files. Plan brochures are the official statement of benefits. Postal Service (PSHB) plans don’t apply to FAA employees. If you spot an error, tell us and we’ll correct it.