Annual health fair highlights options, open enrollment season Published Nov. 21, 2014 By Rebecca Amber Staff writer EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The annual Edwards AFB Federal Employee Health Fair was held in Bldg. 3000 for Edwards and NASA federal employees. Representatives were present from a variety of health care companies, some in the local area and some outside of the local area. More than 300 NASA and Edwards employees attended the event. "They bring their brochures and they are available for employees to answer questions about their benefits or find new plans," said Sandy Rexorade, 412th Force Support Squadron, Employee/Labor-Management Relations chief. Today, employees can shop for benefits and compare plans and prices online. There are approximately 24 national plans to choose from such as Mailhandlers, GEHA, Blue Cross or plans with state-specific coverage like Kaiser, Anthem Blue Cross and Health Net. Individual dental and visions plans are also available. "A lot of employees just like that face-to-face contact and being able to talk to a representative specifically about their situation and they've always benefitted from that. I think it's worthwhile," said Rexorade. Every year, federal employees have a small window of opportunity to make changes to their benefits plan. This year, open enrollment began Nov. 10 and will close Dec. 8. If an employee misses the open enrollment period, they must wait until the following year unless they have a qualifying event such as a divorce or birth of a child. "There's a lot of interest this year because some of the plans, we've heard, have increased their prices so people are really shopping around." If a federal employee does wish to make changes to their health benefits, they must access the Employee Benefits Information System Web Application using a link found on the Air Force Portal. They can also access the Air Force Personnel Center secure website. Visit http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/ for more information on health care plans.