DO ALL FEDS HAVE ACCESS TO ALL HEALTH PLANS

There are probably more than 256 different plan choices within the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) Program, but every Federal employee cannot participate in every plan.  The plans may be available based on the region or jurisdiction you live in.  Most Federal workers will have a choice of at least 10 to 20 plans to choose from.  It really is not all about the number of carriers from which you have the option of selecting, but what plan suits your needs including affordability.

Although the plans offered via FEHB are highly affordable given non–Federal offerings, it remains wise to carefully evaluate what your earnings can afford.  The FEHB is a shared-cost program between employee and employer.  There are no Federal plans that pay the full cost of coverage for the employee or the annuitant.

Medicare is the primary for annuitants and FEHB is the primary for active Federal employees.  There is an exception to active Federal employees we should mention.  As of 2014 Members of Congress and certain members of the Congressional staff are no longer eligible to enroll in plans offered under the FEHB Program as active employees.  If members of the group enroll in a program offered via SHOP (Small Business Health Option Program) exchange they remain eligible for the employer portion of the contribution for coverage.

OPM is charged with overseeing and administering the FEHB Program and has statutory requirements to enter into contractual agreements with carriers that offer comprehensive health care services for Federal employees retired and active, except under certain conditions as outlined in the Health Benefits Manual for Members of Congress and Certain Congressional Staff.

P. S.  Always Remember to Share What You Know.

Dianna Tafazoli