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The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) is a vital benefit for federal employees, offering a range of health insurance options. You can choose from a variety of plans, including Blue Cross, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare.
Each plan has its own network of healthcare providers, so it's essential to review the provider network before making a decision. This will help you ensure that your preferred doctors and hospitals are covered.
The FEHBP is administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which oversees the program and ensures that it meets the needs of federal employees. The OPM works with insurance carriers to offer a range of plans that cater to different needs and budgets.
With so many options available, it's no wonder that FEHBP is a popular choice among federal employees.
FEHB Program Overview
The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program offers a wide selection of health plans to federal employees, retirees, and their survivors. You can choose from among Consumer-Driven and High Deductible plans, Fee-for-Service (FFS) plans, and their Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO), or Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO).
The FEHB Program provides catastrophic risk protection with higher deductibles, health savings/reimbursable accounts, and lower premiums. This can be a great option for those who want to save on premiums while still having access to quality healthcare.
You can review the FEHB plan brochures to see what services and supplies are covered and the level of coverage. The brochures are formatted to ensure they are all organized alike.
The FEHB Program offers a total benefit package that includes service, cost, and provider availability. This means you should consider all these factors when choosing a health plan, not just the cost.
You can get FEHB plan brochures from the health plans or your human resource office.
Benefits and Coverage
The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program offers a wide range of benefits to federal employees, retirees, and their survivors. Coverage continues each year unless you make a change, and there are no waiting periods or pre-existing condition limitations.
You can choose from various health plans, including Consumer-Driven and High Deductible plans, Fee-for-Service plans, and Health Maintenance Organizations. All nationwide FEHB plans offer international coverage, which is a great benefit for those who travel frequently.
Here are some of the benefits and coverage you can expect from the FEHB Program:
During an emergency, your FEHB health benefits will continue uninterrupted. You can continue to see your medical providers as you have previously done, and your plan will reimburse you or pay your providers directly for covered services.
FEHB and Fedvip Benefit Info Files
You can access FEHB and FEDVIP plan benefit information through public use files, also known as PUF files. These files provide a wealth of information on plan rates and benefits.
The FEHB site allows you to compare plan benefits, which is especially useful when trying to decide on a plan that suits your needs. All plans include access to a range of benefits, regardless of which plan you choose.
You can find detailed information on FEHB plan benefits by visiting the FEHB site.
Benefits
The FEHB program offers a wide range of benefits to federal employees, including hospital care, surgical care, inpatient and outpatient care, obstetrical care, mental health and substance use care, preventive care, and prescription drug coverage.
Hospital care is one of the many benefits offered by the FEHB program. You can expect to have your medical expenses covered for hospital stays, surgeries, and other inpatient services.
Preventive care is also a key benefit of the FEHB program. This includes services such as routine check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings to help prevent illnesses and detect health problems early.
In addition to these benefits, the FEHB program also offers prescription drug coverage. This means that you can get the medications you need to manage your health conditions, often with minimal out-of-pocket costs.
The FEHB program offers a range of health plans to choose from, including Consumer-Driven and High Deductible plans, Fee-for-Service (FFS) plans, and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). Each plan has its own unique features and benefits, so it's essential to research and compare them carefully.
Here are some of the key benefits of the FEHB program:
Who Qualifies?
If you're a federal employee, you're likely eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. You can enroll during the annual FEHB Open Season, which typically begins in mid-November and ends in mid-December.
To be eligible, you must work for the federal government, unless your position is excluded by law or regulation. Your agency will dictate these rules and your eligibility. In addition to full-time, permanent employees, the following individuals may also be eligible for FEHB health plans: full-time temporary, seasonal, and intermittent federal employees, civilian employees on active military duty, temporary firefighters, family members and dependents of federal employees.
You can also enroll if you're a newly eligible employee, within 60 days of first becoming eligible, even if that occurs outside of Open Season. Some factors may make you eligible to enroll or change your FEHB plan outside of Open Season.
Here's a list of individuals who may be eligible for FEHB health plans:
- Full-time, permanent federal employees
- Full-time temporary, seasonal, and intermittent federal employees
- Civilian employees on active military duty
- Temporary firefighters
- Family members and dependents of federal employees
Making Changes and Canceling
You can make changes to your Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) coverage during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season, which takes place in mid-November through mid-December.
During this time, you can change plans, options, or the type of enrollment, such as from Self Only to Self and Family. You can also make changes if you experience an FEHB-specific Qualifying Life Event (QLE).
To make a change during open enrollment, select "2A" as the applicable event code. This will ensure that your change is processed correctly.
If you need to cancel your coverage, you can do so either during the open enrollment season or within 60 days of obtaining coverage outside of the FEHB program.
Plan Options and Comparisons
Federal employees have access to a wide range of health insurance plans through the FEHB program. These plans vary in cost, coverage, and in-network providers, so it's essential to choose the one that best suits your needs.
There are five main types of health plans to consider: Fee-For Service (FFS), Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Point of Service (POS), High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHP), and Consumer-Driven Health Plans (CDHP).
If you're unsure which plan is right for you, the FEHB site allows you to compare plan benefits and make an informed decision. All plans include access to essential benefits, such as healthcare services and preventive care.
Here are the main types of FEHB plans:
- Fee-For Service (FFS) plans (with or without a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) preference)
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans
- Point of Service (POS) plans
- High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHP)
- Consumer-Driven Health Plans (CDHP)
Family Coverage
Family coverage is a wonderful benefit of this plan. Your spouse is automatically eligible for coverage, including those with a valid common-law marriage.
To add children to your plan, they must be under the age of 26, including adopted children, recognized natural children, and stepchildren. You can also include children of same-sex domestic partners in certain states.
Foster children are eligible if they meet specific requirements, such as being under the age of 26, currently living with you, and being your primary source of financial support.
Here are the key requirements for foster children:
Additionally, a child over the age of 26 who is incapable of self-support due to a mental or physical disability that existed before age 26 may also be eligible.
FeHB Plan Comparisons
FEHB Plan Comparisons can be a daunting task, but don't worry, I've got you covered. You can compare plan benefits on the FEHB site to help you make an informed decision.
There are many types of health insurance plans offered through the FEHB program, including Fee-For Service (FFS) plans, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, Point of Service (POS) plans, High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHP), and Consumer-Driven Health Plans (CDHP).
To make comparisons easier, the FEHB program has categorized benefits into various categories based on enrollee requests, differences among plans, and simplicity. However, it's essential to consider the total benefit package, including service, cost, and provider availability, when choosing a health plan.
The FEHB plan brochures provide detailed information on services and supplies covered and the level of coverage. You can get brochures from the health plans or your human resource office.
Here are the main types of FEHB plans:
- Fee-For Service (FFS) plans (with or without a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) preference)
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans
- Point of Service (POS) plans
- High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHP)
- Consumer-Driven Health Plans (CDHP)
Can Have Both and Medicare
You can have both FEHB and Medicare, but there are some things to consider. If you're eligible for both, you may want to choose to be covered by both types of plans.
One advantage of having both types of coverage is the coordination of benefits, which may reduce your out-of-pocket costs. If you have an FEHB plan but are also eligible for Medicare Part A, you may choose to enroll in Medicare for more hospital and inpatient coverage. Part A often comes with no premiums.
To be eligible for Medicare, you must be 65 or older, have a certain eligible disability, or have end-stage renal disease.
Here are the general steps to follow if you want to have both FEHB and Medicare:
- Employees will likely have FEHB coverage first and then enroll in Medicare once they're eligible.
- If you are still a federal employee and are enrolled in both FEHB and Medicare, FEHB is typically the primary payer.
- If you are retired or no longer work as a federal employee, then Medicare will likely become the primary payer.
Pharmacy and Insurance Partnerships
The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) allows participating pharmacies to join the network, expanding access to care for federal employees.
Participating pharmacies can offer discounted rates to federal employees, making healthcare more affordable.
The program also allows participating pharmacies to offer additional services, such as medication therapy management and health screenings.
Pharmacy Incentive Programs
Pharmacy Incentive Programs are not prohibited for FEHB members, and OPM is aware of no Federal laws restricting participation.
The FEHB Program is exempt from the Anti-Kickback Act, which prohibits pharmacy incentive programs for Medicare and Medicaid enrollees.
OPM does not have authority to direct retail pharmacies to offer incentives to FEHB Program members.
How Does Cigna Partner?
Cigna Healthcare partners with federal employees through the FEHB plans, which you can review for more information.
Cigna Healthcare supports multiple FEHB plans, so it's worth checking the plan information to see if your preferred plan is partnered with Cigna.
Cigna Healthcare also provides services to Taft-Hartley and federal organizations and agencies, offering a range of options for those in the federal sector.
To find out more about Cigna's services and partnerships, you can check out the information on their website or contact them directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you pay for health insurance as a federal employee?
As a federal employee, your health insurance premiums are partially covered by the government, with average monthly costs of $897 for Self Only, $1,956 for Self Plus One, and $2,149 for Self and Family coverage.
Sources
- https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/
- https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/hurricane-guidance/benefits/federal-employee-health-benefits-program/
- https://www.usgs.gov/human-capital/federal-employees-health-benefits-fehb-program
- https://dcrb.dc.gov/page/federal-employees-health-benefits-program
- https://www.cigna.com/employers/insights/federal-employee-health-benefits
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