FEHB open season

[James48843]

I know we usually do a thread during Health Care Plan Open Season. Somehow this year we haven't done one yet. Open Season for the Federal Employee Health Benefit plans only lasts a few more days- so if you haven't studied the plans available in your area, compared the services you need or think you may need with the coverages available out there, then now is the time.

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=49465&oref=todaysnews has a reminder to check out plans.


Open season, your chance to change plans, only lasts until December 12.

Here is an OPM video headlining some info:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0pARe8hhfA

Open season is now for:

Health Care Plans:
http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp

Dental Plans:
http://www.opm.gov/insure/dental/index.asp

Vision Plans:
http://www.opm.gov/insure/vision/index.asp

and
Three different kinds of Flexible Spending Accounts:
http://www.opm.gov/insure/flexible/index.asp

[James48843]

A reminder- OPEN SEASON for Federal Health Benefit enrollment changes, Dental and Vision plans, and FSA FEDS savings accounts ends on December 8.

Only a few more days to make those decisions and changes to your next year's choices.

Here is the link to learn more:

Open Season (http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/open-season/)

Good luck.

[James48843]

We are now about to roll into November, and I am noticing that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has not yet published the new Health Care Plans and rates anywhere.

Normally, the new data is out in the first or second week of October, and Open season starts early in November.

This year, Open Season runs as follows:




When is the next Open Season?November 8, 2015 through December 14, 2015



But,. at least as of this morning, there are NO new plan information brochures and rates published on the OPM website at:
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/


WHAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT THIS YEAR:

Is that people will, for the first time, be able to make THREE choices over WHO is enrolled in their plan.

1. Self-Only

2. SELF PLUS ONE PERSON

3. SELF PLUS FAMILY


This is a result of Congressional changes- and it is expected that the "Self-plus-one" may be cheaper than family plans for many people- although we won't know until the data on prices of plans actually is published. WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN BY NOW- so I am wondering when to expect to see something.

And since I will have to continue with a self-and family plan, I expect that the price of that is going to be climbing quite a bit this time around, as those "self-plus-one" people pull out of family plans and the rates for the rest of us rise.

Just saying....


Can't wait for single-payer Medicare for everyone - at better rates :-)

[Cactus]

Here are the 2016 rates for GEHA: https://www.geha.com/plans-and-benefits/premiums

Looks like I save 18 cents over my 2015 premium by going self plus one. Otherwise it would be an $11 increase for family. I never thought there would be much difference between the two for us because we get to carry FEHB into retirement. Sure you have all the kids when you are young but you also have all the aging retirees on the other end. I always figured it evened out in the end. It will be interesting to see how much the premiums differ in the future.

[flybaby]

You would expect the Self +1 to be significantly cheaper but it's not. The rational I read, is that the insurance companies expect that the majority of Self +1 insurees will be older and retired folks.... This means that they expect them to have higher insurance needs.
It's a bummer... I was hoping for a lower premium

[Khotso]

We are now about to roll into November, and I am noticing that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has not yet published the new Health Care Plans and rates anywhere.

Normally, the new data is out in the first or second week of October, and Open season starts early in November.

This year, Open Season runs as follows:



But,. at least as of this morning, there are NO new plan information brochures and rates published on the OPM website at:
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/


WHAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT THIS YEAR:

Is that people will, for the first time, be able to make THREE choices over WHO is enrolled in their plan.

1. Self-Only

2. SELF PLUS ONE PERSON

3. SELF PLUS FAMILY


This is a result of Congressional changes- and it is expected that the "Self-plus-one" may be cheaper than family plans for many people- although we won't know until the data on prices of plans actually is published. WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN BY NOW- so I am wondering when to expect to see something.

And since I will have to continue with a self-and family plan, I expect that the price of that is going to be climbing quite a bit this time around, as those "self-plus-one" people pull out of family plans and the rates for the rest of us rise.

Just saying....


Can't wait for single-payer Medicare for everyone - at better rates :-)

[/FONT][/COLOR]

Something's wrong with the OPM Insurance website. I was looking at the 2016 Plan Comparison page yesterday for about a half hour, but it stopped responding after I'd done a couple of comparisons. Basically, I got a window that said something like "Oops. We're experiencing problems. Try again later."

The premiums info was still working though. It looked to me like the Self+ One Plans were not that big a deal as far as actual savings (which kind of makes sense because young people don't typically have as much need for health care generally).

[James48843]

Here are the new 2106 FEHB rates:



https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/premiums/

Remember- there are now THREE rates published for each plan-

1. Self only

2. Self and family

3. SELF PLUS ONE ((NEW)



For my plan, interestingly, SELF-PLUS ONE rate is actually MORE EXPENSIVE than SELF-PLUS FAMILY.


Go figure THAT one out! LOL!

[burrocrat]

For my plan, interestingly, SELF-PLUS ONE rate is actually MORE EXPENSIVE than SELF-PLUS FAMILY.

Go figure THAT one out! LOL!

obviously the state adoption agency picked the wrong family for you to support. it's just the luck of the draw now homes, everybody into the pool.

[Boghie]

When are these prices going down? Someone promised me something and I am absolutely confident that I was not swindled by this chap.

[Cactus]

For my plan, interestingly, SELF-PLUS ONE rate is actually MORE EXPENSIVE than SELF-PLUS FAMILY.


Go figure THAT one out! LOL!

Well, sounds like it's time to start another family -- it's cheaper. :banana:

[k0nkuzh0n]

This is a website I used to use to compare all the options. some people might find it useful:

https://www.plansmartchoice.com/

[James48843]

Health Benefits Open Season opens on MONDAY.

The OPM website posted the new plan brochures yesterday, and the plan comparison tool is now up and running.

Go check out your 2016 FEHB options here:
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/plans/

My plan reduced Doctor's visit fees, increased co-pays for prescription drugs, and added new types of coverage, and reduced the premium by about $20 a pay period.
Check out your plan to see what is changed, and see what other plans might be better in your case.
Good luck.

[James48843]

When are these prices going down? Someone promised me something and I am absolutely confident that I was not swindled by this chap.

My Self + Family premium decreases by $19.68 starting the first pay period in January 2016. I do not know about yours.

[James48843]

This is a website I used to use to compare all the options. some people might find it useful:

https://www.plansmartchoice.com/

That one says:
"Please note that the PlanSmartChoice site includes information for the current benefit year. Unfortunately, PlanSmartChoice will not be updated and available for Open Season 2015 (2016 benefits)."


You CAN compare 2016 FEHB plans now on the OPM website here:
https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/compare-plans/

[FogSailing]

Thanks for the info James. I hope you are healing well and feeling well. It's nice to see you posting.

FS

[Warrenlm]

My premium went up. But I understood that was how the law was set up to work. Liberals get some of Conservatives' money.

35872

[nnuut]

My premium went up. BCBS Basic + Medicare, I'm switching from Self and Family to Self plus One, thinking that might save a little money, I was right my new Premium is $6.17 a month less than Self and Family But up $28 a month more than the 2015 premium. Something is wrong here?

[clester]

My premium went up. BCBS Basic + Medicare, I'm switching from Self and Family to Self plus One, thinking that might save a little money, I was right my new Premium is $6.17 a month less than Self and Family But up $28 a month more than the 2015 premium. Something is wrong here?
I've never seen'em go down unless you change plans. I'm bcbs basic and now on the plus 1 since my youngest turns 26 ��

[clester]

I've never seen'em go down unless you change plans. I'm bcbs basic and now on the plus 1 since my youngest turns 26 ��
Usually cola helps cover it but not this year!

[maui21ice]

I've never seen'em go down unless you change plans. I'm bcbs basic and now on the plus 1 since my youngest turns 26 ��
Are those...tears of joy, or sadness? lol

[James48843]

And one more reminder- If you are eligible for FEHB, you may also be eligible for a FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (FSA Account)- to use PRE-TAX DOLLARS FOR YOUR MEDICAL EXPENSES, deductables, prescription co-pays, etc.


But you have to sign up for an FSA account every year- it is NOT automatic like FEHB carryover- you have to choose a new dollar amount EACH OPEN SEASON, which is RIGHT NOW.


I almost forgot this year- until I had to go on-line this morning to file a co-pay receipt, and it reminded me that this is open season.

See https://www.fsafeds.com

Good luck!