Dive Brief:
- The U.S. Office of Personnel Management announced premiums for the 2016 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program will increase an average of 6.4%.
- The Washington Post reports OPM officials said the increases are not far from estimates of price increases in private-sector employer-sponsored health plans (4%-6%).
- In addition, OPM is offering a new enrollment type in the program to provide coverage for an enrollee and one designated eligible family member.
Dive Insight:
The Washington Post reports the enrollee share of federal employee and retiree premiums will increase by 7.4% in 2016, the largest of such increase in five years.
According to a prepared statement from OPM, All FEHB plans will offer a Self Only, Self Plus One, and Self and Family enrollment type beginning in 2016.
On average, enrollees with Self Only coverage will pay $5.50 more each pay period; enrollees with Self and Family coverage will pay $19.61 more per pay period. Those who opt for Self Plus One coverage will pay $8.92 more per pay period than they previously paid for Self and Family coverage. The government contributes approximately 70% of the total cost of a plan's premium.
“I urge FEHB participants to use the Open Season opportunity to carefully review their health care needs and to choose wisely among the plans and new enrollment options available to them,” said OPM Acting Director Beth Cobert.