Posted on 11/09/2009 5:26:31 AM PST by chambley1
The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program typically includes an array of health insurance options. But this year the choices are more limited than before because 32 health insurance plans are leaving FEHBP or reducing their coverage across the country.
"It's kind of a disturbing trend," said Dave Snell, retirement benefits service department director for the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. "It cuts down on choices, for one, and the federal program is all about choice."
Snell said primarily health maintenance organization plans are eliminating their FEHBP coverage leaving some regions with fewer options. According to the Office of Personnel Management, 10 states -- Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina and Vermont --will no longer have an HMO choice.
Only two plans -- QualChoice, an HMO in Arkansas and Physician Plus, an HMO in Wisconsin -- are joining the program in 2010, according to OPM.
According to Snell, plans often drop their coverage due to factors outside the federal government's control, such as economic conditions, or changes to their provider networks that make it difficult to continue coverage in a certain area.
Another reason is declining enrollment, Snell said. According to OPM, about 61,000 enrollees will be affected by service interruptions, either through reductions in existing plans or plan terminations. Those affected represent about 1 percent of total FEHBP enrollees.
"Plans generally decide to withdraw based on an assessment of enrollment, utilization and premium," OPM stated when announcing the 2010 rates.
Insurance providers are required to notify their members about a plan's termination. If the members do not choose another plan during Open Season, they will lose health benefits in 2010. Despite the dropped plans, there are still 235 health plan choices for FEHBP enrollees, including 30 in the Washington area.
The terminated and reduced coverage are an extra wrinkle during an open season period that already forces enrollees to face tough choices. With the average contribution for a federal employee going up by as much as 8.8 percent, many government workers might have to choose a new plan to fit their budget.
"It's tough when these things go up, especially for retirees who are on fixed incomes," said Snell. "People are very conservative about moving out, especially if they have their favorite doctors."
Snell urged enrollees to study all costs when considering a new plan, not only premiums, but also out-of-pocket costs such as co-payments and co-insurance options.
OK,I probably have too much insurance,Medicare,FEHB and Tricare for Life.I carry the FEHB because it's better for my wife,who is 12 years tounger than me.
My FEHB plan is going from $287 per month to $396 per month...that seems like a LITTLE more than the 8.8% quoted!
I'm going to drop FEHB and my wife will purchase a somewhat less comprehensive plan through her workplace.At some point I expect the government will trot out a "Public Option" that will replace FEHB and voila! problem solved...er,sort of.
I would hope that as a matter of protest, all insurance companies withdraw and refuse to participate in FEHBP until congress wakes up and quits trying to destroy the country.....red
In the future, when obama-care becomes the law, gov’t employees should ALL be enrolled in the ‘public option’. No exceptions. Not for firemen. Not for congressman. Not for czars.
There are a lot of conservatives who work in government who are just as against this abomination as you are.
the insurance industry just earned my respect....they could not beat Pelosi in a one-on fight on Saturday, so they have delivered a kick to the government groin. Way to go!
I think I am with you MaineYankee.
But maybe a step further:
ALL people who get TAX Dollars should get the public option.
All gov’t employees at every level, local, state and federal, all public service employees, Medicare & Medicaid recipients too.
The ONLY exception is UNIFORMED Military personnel, active and retired. They deserve whatever we can to help them.
If those supporting Obamacare in Congress possessed one hint of integrity or fairness, the first paragraph in any health care bill proposed would eliminate all government employee programs (other than the military), including Congress, the White House and the judiciary, and move everyone on the federal payroll into the proposed government option.
But integrity and fairness has nothing to do with what they’re trying to do.
“In the future, when obama-care becomes the law, gov’t employees should ALL be enrolled in the ‘public option’. No exceptions. Not for firemen. Not for congressman. Not for czars.”
While I agree with you to a certain extent, I happen to be a government employee. I am a Air Reserve Technician. My primary function in life is to ensure our Air Force Reservists are trained well enough to fight side by side with our Active Duty counterparts. We have decent coverage right now, and most military(esque) federal employees were against this healthcontrol bill. I’ve personally rallied, protested, written, etc. witht he best of them.
I can understand your sentiment and the stereotype that all government workers are a bunch of lousy, lazy, worthless leeches on the system; but I must remind you there are those out their that do a great service for the people of this nation, including firefighters, police, etc. I don’t quite understand why your knee-jerk reaction is to “punish” firefighters, police, military for a bill passed by the congress who “represents” the people. I think the people are to blame. They vote. We do, too, but half the time we (in the military) don’t know if our vote counts becuase absentees get thrown out so much now days—IF they even make it back to the CONUS...
Did I say you were a lousy, lazy, worthless leech ? That’s your description, not mine.
That’s your defense mechanism kicking in.
If you’re looking for a medal for your ‘primary function’, I would suggest the jewelry counter at the PX.
I didn’t claim you said it about me in particular. I simply referred to the stereotype given to the government worker, which in fact, I agree there is a lot of truth to.
My “knee jerk” wasn’t necessarily in my defense, but those who do provide a service, and work hard at what they do. Many times people make general statements (you for example) which only shows their lack of understanding/education on a given matter.
Reading you posts and responses, that seems to be a trend.
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