Open Season with the Experts
On the latest episode of the FEDtalk podcast, join host Jason Briefel for a final sit down with Open Season experts to review coverage options, changes from previous years, and all the virtual ways feds can learn about their insurance options. The discussion features Jay Fritz from the Open Season Program Office at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and Joan Melanson, Director of Education and Outreach at FedPoint.
OPM encourages everyone to ensure that they have the right health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for their family. Jay Fritz explains, “OPM has been encouraging carriers for the last couple of years to increase coverage for telehealth services, including waiving cost-sharing and response through the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The show discusses several rate changes that will affect federal employees. The overall average increase in rates for non-postal employees and annuitants is 3.6%. The average government contribution will increase by 3.0%. The average enrollee share will increase an average of 4.9%. The average percentage increase in FEHB Program plan premiums is 3.6%.
Feds can find options for active federal employees, federal retirees, tribal employees, and uniformed services on the open season homepage. There are several Open Season options and a plan comparison tool that Feds can use to find the best healthcare option for themselves and their families. The Federal Benefits Open Season for the 2021 plan year for health insurance under the FEHB Program, dental and vision insurance under FEDVIP, and flexible spending accounts will be held from November 9 through December 14, 2020.
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).