FEHBP PREMIUMS RISING, BARELY

Source: FedNews Online
 
The Office of Personnel Management recently announced FY 2007’s Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premium increases, which are the lowest increases since 1997.

Premiums will increase by an average of 1.8 percent next year, but the majority of enrollees (63 percent) will not pay any more than they did in FY 2006.

“The low premium increase can be credited to OPM’s continuing efforts to provide federal employees and retirees with choices for top-quality health care at the most affordable price,” said OPM Director Linda Springer.

Premiums in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan will decline by up to $1.29 per bi-weekly pay period, or stay the same, depending on the enrollment option. Blue Cross and Blue Shield has more than 56 percent of FEHBP enrollments.

The FEHBP provides a range of quality health-care options, including cost-conscious consumer-driven plans linked to Health Savings Accounts (HSA), covering 8 million federal employees, retirees and their dependents.

The FEHBP will offer 284 plan choices in 2007, up from 279 in 2006; 29 HDHPs will be offered, an increase of two over 2006. Similarly, the number of Health Maintenance Organizations increases to 209, up from 205.

Feds will also have an opportunity to select dental and vision coverage next year. (See OPM SELCTS DENTAL, VISION PROGRAM VENDORS at http://www.fednews-online.com/?publicationId=9641.)

A single open season for the FEHB Program, FSAFEDS Program and Dental/Vision coverage will be held governmentwide from Nov. 13 through Dec. 11. During this period, individuals can review printed and online materials to compare the coverage and costs of each program, as well as enroll or make changes based on their personal needs. Current FSAFEDS enrollees must re-enroll for 2007 if they wish to continue coverage.

Additional information on FEDVIP benefits and costs, along with health plan brochures, will be available at agencies for review by employees; employees and retirees can view the information online at www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp. Information on FEDVIP can be obtained online at www.opm.gov/insure/dentalvision; information on FSAFEDS can be found at www.fsafeds.com.