Open Season: Understanding the Options
The latest episode of FEDtalk features Open Season experts to discuss coverage updates and learning about the new options available to federal employees. FEDtalk host Jason Briefel sits down with Joan Melanson, Director of Education and Outreach at FedPoint and Shane Canfield, CEO of WAEPA.
Melanson discusses the role FedPoint plays in administering federal employee benefits and touches on the digital nature of benefits in 2021 through virtual benefits and online resource portals - an experience new to the workforce after the pandemic. Using FedPoint's virtual benefits fair, you can learn about your benefit options at one place. Visit benefeds.com to learn more.
Although OPM has not added any new dental and vision carriers this year, the plans offered by carriers change, including their benefits and rates. According to Melanson, about 5 percent of federal employees change plans during open season. Federal employees' plans rollover from the previous year if they don't make a change; however, your benefits will change over time as your life changes.
During the benefits fair and on-demand, FedPoint will offer resources on federal benefits, including live chats and webinars with veterans and retirement specialists. Additionally, she reminds listeners that retired benefits under TRDP (TRICARE Retiree Dental Program) transitioned to FEDVIP (Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program) in 2019.
Briefel introduced the work of Worldwide Assurance for Employees of Public Agencies (WAEPA), which was established by an executive order signed by Roosevelt in 1943. Following this, Canfield explained some changes being instituted during open season and tips for evaluating insurance options.
If you moved over the past year, your network might not have the same availability – this is incredibly important for health maintenance organizations (HMOs) based around specific facilities.
Additionally, Canfield mentions the nature of choosing various other plans: medical coverage can change every year and life insurance changes every ten years. Further, they discuss the affect of inflation on daily living expenses and healthcare coverage.
WAEPA offers a low premium rate with the ability to transfer your plan outside the federal workforce – unique to the organization as a non-profit.
Feds can learn more about WAEPA (waepa.org) and FedPoint (fedpointusa.com). The Federal Open Season runs from November 8 – December 13, 2021. Feds can register for the virtual benefits fair here and access the plan comparison tool here.
You can stream the show online anytime via the Federal News Network app and listen to the FEDtalk podcast on PodcastOne and Apple Podcasts.
FEDtalk is a live talk show produced by Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm. Bringing you the insider’s perspective from leaders in the federal community since 1993.
FEDtalk is sponsored by the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP). The FLTCIP is sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, insured by John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company, under a group long term care insurance policy, and administered by Long Term Care Partners, LLC (doing business as FedPoint).