Return to Article: Federal health premiums to rise 7 percent in 2009
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66497
Why are you complaing on this web site? How will that help you? Contact OPM directly and cc your congressional rep as well as your state senate. Tell them to get it fixed! OPM just canclled my insureance coveragage (AETNA) all together and sent me a note one week prior to the end date to let me know that my family and I no longer have ANY coverage. If that doesnt stink to high heaven what does? OPM is run by uncaring idiots, make them accoutable by contacting the person in charge of the agencey and your congressional reps. Google them and you will get an address.
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65553
I do not believe that OPM is doing their job. We should have significant bargaining power with the number of agencies and employees that OPM handles. My husband works for a relatively small company that has BCBS as their carrier. They pay half what we pay and it includes dental and vision insurance. How does that happen?!
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64793
I am fed up with OPM, andgry as hell and like to know what is my recourse. OPM is NOT doing their job, not even trying. And ow they are saying that they helped us with prolonging the open season. aget us better rates. Get us better tables to compare different companies, or great suggestion by other person, get one company for all gov and have great rates, get us pay per person, coverage for one two three ....people, not singe and family rates, that is not equitable..... I hope that the new administration will fire every OPM person who are "negotiating" health coverage. I am sure they can get job with some HMO....
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63339
I am a Federal government retiree and have Medicare Part A&B as well as the Mailhandlers Benefit plan. The plan itself isn't going up that much for 2009 but I am on a number of medications, 3 which are only available in Brand names and my pension is not that much. It is already taking a lot of my pension just for health care and medications so what Plan do you think would be cheaper for me as a retiree (self only) for 2009? Help!!
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63149
Now I know where the latest COLA is going.
Meanwhile, everything else goes up as well -food, energy, transportation, taxes.
We're just like hamsters on a treadmill, running around and around, and getting nowhere!
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63035
I am very frustrated by these percentage increases. What also irritates me is that when I joined GEHA 2 years ago, it was the best plan for Orthodontics, as we all know you have to be in a plan for 2 years before it is covered. The reason I joined GEHA because they would cover 70% of braces. Last year they only covered 30 and now this year 50% or $1500.00! Why did I just waste $2704.00 when I could have kept that and invested it in my sons braces!? I put in MORE than I am getting back! I thought the supplemental dental is suppose to be better but its not! Now I am stuck for another year with them. OPM representatives for FEHB are crazy!
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62958
Well I retired but now it looks like I'll need to find a part time job to help pay for increases. I'll need to cancel my fishing trip. Oh and if Obama increases capital gains taxes and eliminates the 401(k) dividends, we will all need part time jobs.
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62921
I am VERY disappointed in the Health Benefits for this year. Whomever negogiated the rates and coverage should be fired. It is unacceptable that in almost every area of health coverage, my deductible has increased along with my monthly premiums.
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62655
The premium for Group Health HMO here in Washington state is going up 28% for the family plan! Now they have eliminated the 10% coinsurance they added last year, but still...and the percentage government share of the total premium has continued to fall to 66%. If they don't screw you one way, they screw you the other. Maybe something will change in a new administration.
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61838
I don't know where you're getting your figures about this "average" premium incraese. I just received notice that my bi-weekly premium for Blue Shield Access HMO is increasing from $125 to $295 -- an increase of $170 every two weeks. Last year the co-pays for office visits increased 50%, a $100 per day hospital surcharge was imposed, and the co-pay for prescriptions increased at least 100%.
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61752
BC/BS - not only a 13.4% increase for a family plan, but I just got notified that mail order non-generic perscription drugs are going from a copay of $35 6o $65. That's over an 85% increase in one year. Who negotiates these contracts? This is unbelievable. The hold health care field in this country is out of control.
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61684
Check Health Care Spending in the United States and OECD Countries, which has a chart on costs as a percent of GDP in 2003. Covers 18 developed countries. (kff.org)
The US was highest, at 15.2% of GDP. Switzerland was second at 11.5% and Ireland was lowest at 7.2%. We are five years later - I presume the situation did not get better.
All, except the US have national health care. BUT, not neccessarily run by the government! Germany's health care, for over 100 years, is run like a utility - private firm with strong government oversight.
All share one common, bottom line trait - they cannot keep people alive forever. So the effectiveness (quality) of one versus the other is inherently a marginal consideration.
When we have just experienced the largest corporate medicaid in history ($700 billion and counting), I have a hard time understanding why we cannot entertain a change for the average Joe's. The benchmarks are out there.
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61625
Personally, I will be looking for another plan. BC/BS goes up every year on premiums, the copays go up, and the benefits go down. Every federal employee who has this insurance should look for another plan. Maybe then BC/BS would get the message.
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61185
I just received a notice from BCBS/Medco stating that the co-pay for brand name drugs will be increasing in 2009 from $35 to $65, even when no equivalent generic is available. Are there any better plans out there?
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60977
I just received a notice from OPM that the Blue Cross Increase will be 13.4% for a family 12.9 single. This is insane. Next year we will literally make less than this year.
We have got to move toward a national health care system. People get so freaked out about a tax increase, you could increase taxes 5% and eliminate Health Insurance. We would all end up with more money in the bank and health care.
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60929
The only way to fix the health care problems and SS is to have ALL members of the Senate, Congress be forced to take the health care that the Fed Employee must take and put them all on SS, You will see the system fixed qiuck fast and in a hurry.
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60846
The dental and vision supplemental plans were supposed to bring the price of health insurance for federal employees down, but BCBS premiums next year are still scheduled to go up by a percentage that is almost five times the rate of inflation. In addition to paying increased BCBS premiums, the costs of the supplemental dental and vision programs have also increased, so that federal employees are paying A LOT more for their total health insurance than they were a few years ago. As the employees pay more, so do the taxpayers, because the amount the government pays for employees' health insurance has also increased. In the case of BCBS, in which the government pays 3/4's of the premium, a standard family plan will cost more than $16,000 next year, per employee!
Way to go, OPM!
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60818
This is just an example of what it will be like when universal healthcare for all arrives. Those who are working and can "afford" to pay for others will continue to have a sticker shock every year. They can't give us a low group rate - not when they are padding our bills to cover for those who don't have their own health insurance! The federal government is designed to act like Robin Hood - take from those who are rich or hard-working and give to those who are either out-of-work, underemployed, or just plain lazy!
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60756
why does it seem the postal system pays about half of the premiums the federeal employees have to pay. i would've thought with as many employees the federal government has, we would get a better rate, at least the same as the postal systems. do they have better representation....? we need an advocate looking out for the federal employees, not just another good ole boy to make a deal.
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60684
I am new to the Federal Government and was totally blown away with the cost of insurance. If you compare gov't rates to private companies, you will see that the gov't employees are paying more. When I was active duty, I always heard how great the benefits were for gov't employees, now I'm a gov't employee and it's unbelievable what I pay. If I did not have a child, I would not purchase health insurance; I would use the VA. It appears that OPM is not working in the best interest of their employee's. It's a joke, that we get a 3.9% cost of living increase, but a 12% hike in insurance cost. What did they base their cost of living increase on? The 1980's cost of living!!!!!
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60599
Well, it looks like we're stuck with BC/BS. I checked out GEHA, and their high option covers about the same as the BC/BS standard option. And since I take a medication that has to be the brand name, I need to stick with the flat fee for the Medco mail order cost. GEHA only covers 50% for name brand medications - could get very expensive.
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60549
Bring the Government Executives to the bench to answer our True America's questions. Health Insurance is a Health Issue. Cosmetic Surgery can be a health issue. Vision, how good you can see is an health issue. BCBS should atleast cover vision & dental. Dental issue is also a health issue. I believe the good ole US should have free or reasonable prices for a Health Policy. Why Not? This is United States of America!
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60543
Since OPM has the power to neogiate the prices - but choose to go along with BCBS increases - how about everyone dropping BCBS and see how long they continue to screw the federal employees. No wonder the GM plant employees(when they were stil open)dropped BCBS as a selection - why because they ween't paying the bills. Someone is getting money on the side arent they? OPM you need to respond to all these comments and do a better job - I would dare you to comment but we all know that you wont!
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60271
HELP! How to you stop this madness. This company is just like the wall street fat cats we bailed out today. I can't even get a hold of the VP Jena Estes Federal Employee Program. No one answers the phones in Chicago or DC. I will be writing my congressman and I suggest the 80 other com mentors to the same. ENOUGH!!! These people took my raise with their 13.9% raise for themselves. I am so angry. I am just a GS 5 and my wife is a CNA taking care of senior citizens. Who is going to help us through this winter. We are lower middle classes and don't qualify for assistance. Ms Estes or Mr Serota maybe you can help us out this winter up here in the north east.Enjoy my raise. May GOD have mercy on the souls of the Executive Officers of Bluecross Blueshield. How dare you?Phil leeser
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60145
I join several others in wondering why BCBS does not offer an "employee and spouse" plan that is in between the "self only" and the "family" plan. Is OPM or anybody listening?
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60107
I thought that the split of the Dental and Vision insurance coverage was to stop the cost of increases in our regular health insurance premiums. Do you remember when they (Gov't and insurance reps) said that it would keep the costs down? Well, that didn't go very far did it! Another no-truth to the gov't civilians. Do they also know that the 3.9 percent increase for our cost of living does not even touch the costs of everything else that increases? Thank you so much, we are really getting screwed this year. When will the Congress and the Senate start having to pay for their own health insurance? We, the civilians, have taken enough of the brunt, why can't they take some of it instead of just passing it on to us.
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60088
Please do something about the premium for a husband and wife with no children being the same as a family with who knows how many children. This is so unfair! And thanks alot for the huge increase this year!
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60069
Kathy Dumire, you said it all when you said "FEDERAL GOVERNMENT". You used to work for BC/BS if you have worked for the government very long you will see that if anything is connected to FG, when it comes to pricing, bend over. Those two words are the kiss of death when you are getting bids on something. Everyone wants to "stick it to the Government". Makes no sense to me. Check your office supply prices, for even better the price of a screw for airplanes or toilet seats for airplanes.
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60049
My premium for Aetna went from $79.82 per pay period to $142.70 per pay period. That's about a 78% increase, and Aetna does not even cover the cost of a pap smear. I'm starting to think I should just cancel my health insurance, bank what I pay for in premiums and pray for good health!
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60032
I am very thankful that I have heath insurance, however my mother-in-law, who worked as a car painter at General Motors, got better health insurance coverage as a blue collar worker than I/my family ever received as a government employee. Even now that she is retired, they are far more generous than what we haev now - even though I am still working. So - on the up side, yes, we do have coverage, but if GM can do it, the federal government can.
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60023
I will have to look real close to see if BCBS will continue to get my money. I have been with them for many years after leaving another company which did the same thing and then drastly lowered their coverage. I am looking at retirement and my husband uses a lot of drugs. I just sent 4 prescriptions to mail order at 140.00. This new plan will be (260.00). We cannot afford that, I am a low grade employee and he is on social security. My daughter is also on disability soc sec and her cobra insurance will run out in a few months. Even with me staying at work, we will not be able to afford to go to the doctor or get med. Thankfully I do not have to take any meds at this time.
They need to reconsider this drasticly increase in cost.
Thanks
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59938
For crying out loud people. There are millions of people in this country without health insurance, millions more who are underinsured, and millions more who pay substantially more for fewer benefits. I don't like higher premiums either, but let's get a little perspective here.
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59921
How is this increase justified? Or was it ever? Your article stated an "average increase of 7 per cent". My cost for BCBS non-HMO, FFS, went up 13 per cent, from $62.15 to $70.18 per payday. Sure it's only $8.03 more, which individually seems minor - but I'm not the only person subject to this. This increase, including your stated average of 7 per cent is nothing but pure greed and should have been challenged and justified because it's taxpayer money that will be collected.
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59883
I agree that the increase is very high for one year. On the other hand, I will gladly pay for the insurance I have. My husband works for a DOD contractor and has the option of obtaining insurance for our family for a whopping $600 a month. So, I do not oppose the prices I pay when I look at the prices in private industry.
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59863
Hey you brilliant math whizzes! Yeah the health issurance went up 7% so your premiun increased $10 or $12. Your salary went up 3.9%. This is 3.9% of let say $70K or $2,730. So you will go broke paying $312 more for health insurance when you received a $2,730 increase. By the way, some of the increase was the addition of free generic drugs, mental health care equivalent to regular health care and hearing aides. Some of you, including the unions, lobbied for this. If you still can't afford Blue Cross, switch to a lower cost health plan, we still have other choices -- at least this year. Increases in premiuns also due to our great legal system and the increased charges by the medical community through lab teststo avoid malpractice and fees to cover malpractice policies.
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59858
I am currently covered under GEHA. What a joke. I recently had to go to the emergency room. I was there about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. The bill $2700+ dollars. The ins. company, of course, disallowed a little over $600 then they paid a little over $1700, I was still left with $310.00 due. Oh, by the way did I forget to mention my deductible was already paid. I called the insurance company, because I thought this was an outrageous charge. They informed me that they had agreed upon this fee and I had to pay the remainder. I have talked to people who do not have insurance and they told me that when they have gone to the emergency room they tell them they do not have insurance and their bill is adjusted, sometimes by 50 to 75%. GO FIGURE.
I know people, who work in factories, that pay $12 to $13 per week and have good dental, vision, and overall coverage. Why can the Federal Government not get the same coverage for us?
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59856
Paying more for less is what the gov't. workers get - that is our reward for working, and for letting the taxation system keep sucking the life out of us. And by the way, some of us actually have saved some money up so we can retire - well, let's just watch that evaporate over the next few days, JUST LIKE IT DID A FEW YRS. AGO WHEN THE STOCK MARKET CRASHED. Back then I found a Financial Advisor to help me, since my skills in investments must have been 'lacking'. We'll soon see if it helped. I obviously don't have any answers to this problem we're facing. I just did my jobs in private industry 14 yrs. and in government for the past 20+ yrs. I just put away some $ for the future. It went away like the wind. I just paid my taxes and tried to help others when I could; I tried to be a good person; I voted. I just wish I had someone to thank for this situation - but whom can I really hold responsible, when there are so many loopholes for the crooks to hide in? To whom can I complain about higher premiums, taxes, and retirement-age increases? Nobody, just my fellow workers who are in the same pit I'm in. The vipers are upon us, folks, and they are mean and they are ungrateful. But I am not a victim. I still believe America can be a good place. Just not sure how to make it that way any more.
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59811
wise old owl wrote
"We need a European style health car system. Get the private sector pirates out of it."
You sure aren't too wise there Owl, take a real good look at the Euro style and see that it is worse than ours but you keep believing that and vote for Obama and we will see how bad it is first hand!
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59792
Your article states that Blue Cross coverage, which is the most popular FEHB plan, is going up 12.9 to 13.4%.
How is that possible?
From my experience in the healthcare business (when I worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield), those groups who pooled the most employees where given a better rate. Therefore, if the Blue Cross plan is indeed the most used plan within the federal government, why are were we not given a better price quote?
I would like a response to my question. Thank you.
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59779
Nothing states you must purchase health insurance, pay out of pocket and do not pay the insurance companies. The prices will come down.
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59748
I belong to an HMO, which I always thought was supposed to be more cost effective, however the premiums are even higher the BCBS and are rising faster. If I stay at the high option, it will go up 15%. In 2004 I paid $39.81 per pay period. In 2009 it will be $106.09. In addition, beginning last year, the co-pay went up 30%, and I also have to pay 10% of the cost regardless. Therefore, for an office visit, they charged me $15 plus another $10.60. (the visit was $106.) therefore, inreality the cost to me increased at least another 10%. I would change to GEHA (my Mom has this as a retiree and its cheaper) but I have had the same doctor many years, and its hard to find another one. I think I will be forced to move to the low option and take my chances. I do think they are trying to drive us to high deductible plans...note they essentially have no increase in premiums.
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59724
What other insurance plan allowed recipients to determine their prescriptions and not use generics. NONE other than the US gov't. Using generics is a requirement of anyone else that's insured. But not our beloved CS they demand a gold plated program and then complain when the rates go up, time to look in the mirror
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59720
I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield and I have to fight for every penny I get. Let alone I have two insurance companies (both Blue Cross/Blue Shield). I have to coordinate the benefits. I stay on the phone more than I stay at the doctor's office.
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59718
I wouldn't mind the premium increase if we also didn't have a massive decrease in benefits resulting in very larges cost increases for service and medication
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59714
they have to raise our rates so they can do more research and find cures so that the rest of the world can pay pennies for them.
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59710
We only have our selves to blame. Believe me I am ashamed at the way I have behaved lately. The increase is based on whatever the market can bear. With a bear market taking up the headlines who's going to notice a little premium gouging. Why is everyone mad at OPM? Those nice people at OPM are busy trying to implement NSPS for the rest of the government before someone figures out what a bad idea it really is. How could they possibley find the time to waste negotiating a better deal for the taxpayers and civil servants. If everyone was more responsible and quit running to the doctor for every broken bone or suspicious mole costs would drop. You might drop dead, too. Now there's a real cost savings for the government. Remember the taxpayers pick up the majority of the costs and if we keep complaining maybe the taxpayers should simply say we not going to pay for any increase let the Feds pay for the entire bill. So, until that unlikely scenario comes to pass put down that double cheese burger, get up on that tread mill and think of something nice to say about our leaders at OPM. It's the patriotic thing to do.
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59708
OPM again did not work for us, but for the lobyist. Ms Springer established good relationship with private industry, I wonder if she is in private industry now? and her replacement is going a same road. It is appaling that ( million of fed employees can't negotiate better rates.
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59702
Again, the government employees eat the bills that our governmental officials are creating, YET, after two years of service, these same governmental officials will take home their complete salary for life. Why do we as native Americans continue to tolerate this? Whoever said it is OKAY for them to set their own astronomical salaries and "bonus checks", while giving us a few pennies a year? They criple us, starve us, and keep us poor while telling us they are "SAVING THE AMERICAN DREAM". I have a question for our government. For WHOM ARE YOU SAVING THIS DREAM? It is certainly NOT for the normal American family. And, as Americans, how "FREE" are we really? Free to choose our president? Yeah, choose between two pre-selected rich people. Free to put our money into a protected savings rather than Social Security? Yeah, these same officials "Borrow" our retirement money in the Social Security fund (and never pay it back), and then tell us we must work until we are now 66 to 70 years old before we can retire and have OUR money. While we are working ourselves to death, they attend their balls and banquets, golf, go on month long vacations, live in one of their many "Mansions", take a ride in their yachts, spend time in one of their numerous vacation homes, fly in their private planes, and tour the world. These same officials allow oil, gas, insurance, interest rates, utilities, food, and everything else to double and triple in prices and give us a meager 1 to 3% raise (and a bonus check for 50,000 per quarter for each of them) Why? They all have "stock or personal interest" in these billion dollar companies. Their hands are in all of these pockets, THUS, BAIL OUT THE STOCK MARKET BILLIONAIRES! Go ahead, stuff your pockets, but it WILL NOT HELP YOU when you stand before GOD. Your millions and billions will be worthless and YOU WILL BE THE POOR AND PENNILESS. I have to agree with the person stating "Maybe we should all quit our jobs and live on welfare". That option IS looking better every day. Imagine IF: No one showed up to vote for President... Imagine IF: Everyone quit their jobs and lived on welfare... Who would they tax and "borrow" from then? Here is an Idea: What If: each of our governmental officials put their bonus checks into bailing out Wall Street? They would more than likely have a surplus.
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59687
Another kick in the teeth for the government employees. Why am I not surprised? Why not jus have all the banks bill the government and we can RATIFY their little actions! Nobody is held accountable for anything so what do you expect.
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59681
I think the insurance business is out of control like the banking and oil businesses. I wish I could choose the benefits that my family needs instead of having such "benefits" as maternity when I don't need it. We should be able to personalize our needed benefits and coverages.
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59651
OMG!! 13%?? How does the government & insurance companies expect families to survive? With gas price, insurance premiums & food & clothing cost, not to mention paying utilites families can not afford to meet their bills! Would we all be better off just opening a savings account and putting those premiums in it to pay our own medical bills rather than give it to the insurance companies! As if I were not all ready there, WELCOME TO THE POOR HOUSE!
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59635
I recently called GEHA and my doctor's billing department to see if paying cash as I go is cheaper than using insurance, and they both told me that out-of-office labs are the most expensive thing we do, and other than that, cash and in-house labs would be the cheapest way to go (we don't have many prescriptions).
I'm considering this for 2009 since we now have our blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure under control with diet, supplements, and a couple of generic prescriptions for Hubby. The only reason we have insurance NOW is because he's afraid we'll get into a car wreck or something and need surgery, or something will happen to ME (I don't work) and I'll need surgery or chemo.
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59625
Criminal...
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59618
Yet another reason not to vote Republican in 2008. You can bet that OPM is in Bush's pocket, just like Justice, Labor, etc. are. Someone's palm is getting greased everytime an increase like this is getting announced. We won't get this kind of shabby treatment under the Democrats.
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59604
Federal health premiums rise predictably because of recurring patterns of insurance contractor fraud, OPM institutional incompetence, and the blind eye of OPM's IG and congress. OPM's FEHBP has catered to the financial interests of it's contractors for decades allowing hundreds of millions to be lost to fraudulent overcharges to govt. OPM's only presidentially appointed IG secured his second govt. career in 1990 by buying into OPM's corrupting "make no waves" management culture. The IG makes a cottege industry of conducting superficial financial compliance audits of FEHBP contracts and then allows OPM to dictate how many millions in fraudulent overcharges should be dismissed and ignored. He has refused for 18 years to allow his staff to conduct substantive oversight of OPM's insurance and retirement programs that annually administer over 50 billion in spending from govt. trust funds. As the coup de grace, the IG systematically retalliates against IG employees who disclose wrongdoing in the IG or OPM. OPM can always be credited with an assist in this regard.
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59595
I think the title of this article is a little bit misleading. The fact of the matter is 60% of the Fed work force uses BCBS and for me the cost is going to up to $165.00+ a pay period. That's around $4300.00/yr. I do realize that we have a choice of plans but not much of one especially if something does happen the "choices" aren't going to pay anything because of high deductables or pay very little. They really have us over a barrel.
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59594
I have always been told that one of the benefits of working for the gov't is the benefits, however, everyone I know who works in private industry gets better benefits for less out-of-pocket cost. You mean to tell me the gov't (the largest employer) can't use their buyers influence to negotiate lower premiums on healthcare? Meanwhile, our measly yearly pay increases still aren't keeping up with the rate of inflation. How can the gov't expect to attract and retain premium talent if they can't treat their employees better than this!
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59591
So basically this info lets me know I don't want to join the civil service insurance as my primary to have my spouse' military retiree insurance as a backup. Maybe we'll start looking to the private sector for insurance to find a better deal.
You know the military has cut back so much on benefits for dependents and retirees, it was just a breath away from messing with the civil service side.
Typical government BS. Not only have they completely trashed the idea of universal healthcare, but the one place in the US you could count on being insured...they find a way to make that a thing of the past as well.
Maybe I'll have to move up north if this keeps up!
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59589
I agree why can't the government go to one provider for the entire US, get our premiums down and provide the coverage that we need.
I use to work for a city that we changes plans every few years cause they looked for the best deal. We complained when family cost went up to 40 a month for everything. But they made every attempt to keep things down. So my premiums should be going up 13 dollars next year. Dental goes up and the benefits go down. Amazing. Just amazing
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59587
What I don't understand is why postal employees pay less than govenment employees on health insurance? As said in one of the comments: "unions and insurance companies...somebody's hand is getting greased". I I was planning on retiring next year now I don't know.
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59585
To get better services from our own government you must be living overseas and not be A U. S. citizen. It is CRAZY that our taxpayers dollars are about to bail out the FAT CATS in our country and the government can give a rats about the average US citizen.
Perhaps Obama is the right answer.
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59582
Illegal inmigrants do not receive benefits, dummy. Get yourself better informed
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59580
The Insurance Companies are just like the oil companies. They keep getting fatter wallets, while ours keep getting thinner and thinner. Yet there is not much we can do to stop them. Bottom line is we need the insurance just like we need the fuel, because we sure can't afford to pay what the hospitals and doctors are billing the inusrance companies for. But then I guess they, the doctors need to be expensive to protect them selves against all the sue happy people out there for so called mall practice suits out there. If you look at it, the sue happy folks out there are also part of the problem. Maybe if the illegals were made to pay their own way instead of welfare paying their way, our insurance would not be so expensive.
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59575
Once again, the Aetna HDHP is keeping rates down. Their premiums are going up only 1 penny for the family HDHP. That's right, only $67.73 per pay period versus BCBS standard's $164.58. I will never understand why people will pay over $2500 more in premiums to stay with BCBS. I had Aetna's HDHP in '08 and due to my wife's knee surgery I hit my $3000 deductible, but I still came out way ahead. How you ask? Do the math. Aetna gave me $1500 which I used towards the deductible plus I saved over $2000 in premiums from BCBS. It's really quite simple. Just put the money you'd pay in premiums with BCBS and stick it in your HSA every pay period. Enjoy the tax benefits and finish the year way ahead had you stayed with BCBS. The premium savings coupled with the $1500 Aetna puts in the HSA more than covers your $3000 deductible. In addition, you don't have the silly co-pays with Aetna. Oh, did I forget to mention that BCBS also has a deductible. DO THE MATH FOLKS!!
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59571
Wow isnt this just great! You said it yourself - your people did better getting some plans down but obviously the team working the BCBS Insurance Plan didn't do the federal workers or retirees any good. Why is this? When BCBS is constantly telling women that they wont pay for mamograms even when it is covered in the plan - they ripped me off this way and I'm sure lots of other women were made to pay for them as well, so why do they need more money? Looks like OPM needs to be fired for leting this happen!
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59570
What a lie! How can Medicare premiums have a 0% increase for 2009 when that system is supposedly in "crisis," (and we're paying the taxes for it but are not eligible for the benefits!!!) yet our premium increases 12-13%?? And, it JUST SO HAPPENS that the plan that most employees are in is getting a much higher-than-average increase. Hmmm... could it be that OPM is deliberately trying to "encourage" everyone to abandon traditional health insurance for BOZO "Health Savings Accounts" (i.e., if you ever need more than a routine check-up you'll be penniless and begging at the soup lines?)
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59564
This is an outrage. At least the rest of you federal emplyees get the 3.9% (and added to your retirement) and the retirees will get 6% COLA. we air traffic controllers due to Marion Blakey, George Bush and Bobby Sturgell and their imposed work and pay rules have had our salries frozen. Our retirements do not increase and haven't since 9-3-06.What a great labor day present for working federal employees. I guess we could call it the gift that keeps on giving!
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59562
Let's see now, NSPS only pays 2% salary increase of the 3.9% COL, the rest if you get a "3" paid as a one time bonus, heavily taxed without credit for FERS retirement, health premiums raising ave of 7% employee costs, SSN reclaculated....FERS investment options in the tank, tasked to do more for less, budgets squeezed to the max, promotions frozen except for the big shots. Lets see, oh yea, sell to the young folks why the gov't is a solid career choice. Ain't it great! Don't forget to vote for the incumbant so the cronnies in the ivy league can continue to get paid mega bucks because they screwed the American Finance system and us idiot workers can pay more taxes to support their inventive ways. Oh by the way, what is the Trilatteral League doing these days?
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59555
My understanding is (correct me if I'm wrong), for those of us still in the workforce, our tax exempt medical premiums are deducted from our reported social security wages, effectively reducing our social security benefit in the long run. As premiums increase, we get the tax benefit now, but the government will take that savings back by paying us less SSI when the time comes for us to collect. In other words, as our (tax exempt) medical premiums go up, our SSI benefits go down. My local SSI office, and every federal employee I've asked, have been unaware of this, which strikes me as a deceptive practice since so few know about it. My HR person said I could waive the tax exemption, or figure out what the tax savings is, and save that amount of money each month to offset the reduction in SSI. What are our genius lawmakers thinking?! Keep an eye on your SSI statements.
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59550
OPM has the ability to hold these prices down, but once again, OPM DID NOTHING TO HELP the ones they are supposed to help. OPM should be the first thing the new administration deletes to cut costs.
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59549
Really?? This is nuts . Im a single mom... by the time I pay rent , car note , day care , food and elec I barley have enough for gas till next pay day (I already cut off phone cable internet & cell phone) How do you tell a 5 year there is no Santa Clause this year ?
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59542
What I'd like to know is why there isn't a greater difference (lower) in the price of what an individual insuree pays vs the family premium? Seems the individual insurees are paying a lot to support those under the family plan. For some reason that just doesn't seem fair to me. Especially, when the same family enrollees want an extension of coverage for their adult off-spring (don't want to call them children because they're not) because they don't want to spend extra money to cover them either insider or outside of the government health plan process. Ummh...
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59540
We need a European style health car system. Get the private sector pirates out of it.
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59539
I, for one, am not surprised to see that our insurance premiums going up. After all, the insurance company employees have to have their raises as well...My portion of the premium went up 24% last year. And, now what ever passes for dental benefits will probably go out the window as well. Why don't our "elected officials" have to pay for their health care, or pay co-pays or deductibles? Lets put THEM on Social Security, and make them pay for their "benefits. It looks like the CEO syndrome is alive and well in OUR government.
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59535
Ah yes, one again another federal agency has worked to ensure the sanctity of the corporate pocketbook. Of course the government is delusional when it comes to the real increase in cost-of-living. Never has the government provided a pay increase that kept up with the real costs.
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59528
We only have our selves to blame.. The increase is based on usage so the more claims filed costs go up just like car insurance. If everyone was more responsible and quit running to the doctor for every sniffle costs would drop. Remember the taxpayers pick up the majority of the costs and if we keep complaining maybe the taxpayers should simply say we not going to pay for any increase let the Feds pay for the entire bill
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59526
Increased premiums without increased benefits is ridiculous!
Private corporations have plans that pay for dependents as long as they are full-time students.
If you've been on a medication for a year, you should be able to get more than a 1-month supply.
Why should couples with NO dependents pay the same family rate as those with 5 kids or more? FEHB needs an overhaul.
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59525
All my Doctors are no longer preferred providers, due to low reimbursement from Blue Shield. The Drs are with the UCLA Medical Group, one of the best care groups in the Western US. If this premium increase gets me back my Drs as preferred providers then OK, but if it goes to Blue Shield then I am disgusted.
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59523
It doesn't matter if our premiums go up 7%. It's a lose, lose situation any way you look at it. I have family coverage with BC/BS in our Federal Health Plan. My husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and until the day he passed away this year we were inundated with questionable charges from the hospital & collection agency on a 20% fee that our BC/BS does not cover. We paid our deductibles, copays for drugs, but on his ongoing cancer treatments were only covered 80% which is dropping each year. I was also informed by the hospital that our Federal coverage is only considered to be supplemental. I'm still reeling from this ongoing nightmare. It is a disgrace.
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59522
It's a good thing that the retirees are [currently] getting a 6% raise next year. It will almost cover the hike in their health insurance premiums.
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59520
Please initiate an investigation of the morons who are negotiating these deals!
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59518
I wonder how many benefits will be reduced for this 13% increase in payments. It is to bad we can't vote ourselves a increase in salary to keep up with the cost of living. Maybe we should all go on welfare and get better benefits like the illegal immigrants.
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59515
You said it yourself, and I quote, "particularly given the bargaining power [the Office of Personnel Management] should be able to exercise as manager of the nation's largest group health plan." Why? I don't understand. All that leverage and this happens. I feel so sorry for my parents.
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59514
I have Blue Shield. What bothers me most is that I am forced to pay for what is perceived as services I want. I will never call their toll-free numbers to discuss any of my medical conditions or problems because they are my INSURANCE COMPANY and not my doctor - they practice medicine without at license as far as I am concerned. My insurance company's job is to pay what has been submitted to them. My insurance company has compromised my medical data. I receive what they feel is helpful information regarding what conditions I may have. Once again, that is not their job. It's time that the people have a voice in whether we want these un-needed un-asked for "services" and have the option to lower our premiums by not having these "services."
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59512
Lets see health premiums(my own) up 12.9, gas up at least $2 a gal.,food up,clothing up,engery up, water bill up & my raise well its gone & I lost money!
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59510
The health care gets worse and the price goes up. What else is new. If the Socialists get control we will get health care for free, but, it won't be worth anything.
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59508
Great with the planned salary increase, I will still be in the hole more than 4% next year! That's not counting the increases NOT YET SEEN on my individual plan, AND increases on medications! At least I have a job though.
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59506
The economy is so bad and it is hard enough to pay the bills as it is. I already live paycheck to paycheck. I have two children and at this point I can not even buy them Christmas. My oldest will be 5 in November and I have only been able to buy her Christmas 1 time, in 2007, when my youngest was 1. This is only going to help push the economy even further down. It is going to be harder to pay bills so people will just stop buying and doing the un-necessay all together. I am not the only person in this situation, I know, but something has got to give! If the economy does not get better eventually there will be nothing left here to worry about insurance.
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59505
I think this is ridiculous! We are getting a 3.9% pay raise in January 09. But health insurance with blue cross is going up 13.4%, just defeats the purpose! Looks like another struggling year for me! YAY!
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59504
I think this is ridiculous! We are getting a 3.9% pay raise in January 09. But health insurance with blue cross is going up 13.4%, just defeats the purpose! Looks like another struggling year for me! YAY!
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59503
You gotta be kidding. My husband is retired and the health insurance comes from his check. Last year the increase in the insurance premium was twice as much as his cost of living raise. If he keeps losing money in his retirement check at this rate, he won't have a retirement check in a few years. Help!!
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59500
Thank you sir may I have another!!!!Wonderful....I don't see my GS-7 paycheck going up any.....
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59498
When is is going to stop. As a retiree our pensions go up but health care costs exceed our cost of living increases year after year. Do we give up eating to pay for these increases?
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59489
I can only imagine what our health benefits would look like if Senator McCain had succeeded in deregulating health care as he did the banking industry.
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59488
Actually, if anyone is surprised that those of us who are enrolled in the FEHBP member insurance companies plans are being taken to the cleaners on both the premiums paid and the cost of the specialty prescription drugs, then they should take a careful look at the past history of the US Government over the past 7 1/2 years. Our premiums have more than tripled, while the co-pays have nearly tripled. This is apparently so that the insurance companies can continue to make outrageous profits while providing the minimum possible service. I spent almost a year getting a simple statement of services from my FEHBP insurance for a specialty prescription drug that included the original cost of the drug, so I could submit a request for reimbursement to TRICARE. As a result, my submission to TRICARE was late, and I had to submit a request for waiver in order to be reimbursed. The FEHBP insurance did send me a statement of service each time I requested it, but carefully left out some essential part of the required information each time.
The service has degraded monumentally in the past 7 1/2 years (Notice, Republicans, that I carefully do NOT mention who was in control for all but 2 of those 7 1/2 years and did this to us. Even though I was a Republican for most of my 67 years, I resent this kind of thing most strenuously), while our costs have skyrocketed in the same period.
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59483
We need MORE regulation of the health care industry. They should not be able to raise premiums any more than the inflation rate. BCBS increase will be nearly 13%. That is obscene! They do not pay the doctors very much at all. Our out of pocket expenses at up substantially. I see the EOBs after I have a doc appt. BSBC pays poorly, in fact so bad, many doctors are dropping them. And yet the govt allows them to increase premiums like this. The health care industry is doing to us what mortgage companies, banks, and Wall Street has done. It is time for government controlled health care! Wake up America before you have to choose between living on the street, eating, or having medical care - damn, I think we are there!!!!
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59482
I would like to know why the Blue Cross/Blue Shield FEHB does not offer a "dual enrollment" like the Blue Cross/Blue Shield State of Virginia program does. Basically, the "dual enrollment" is for two people - a husband and a spouse, a mother and child, or a father and a child. I don't feel it is right for my husband and myself to have to pay the higher premium for "family" coverage when it is just him and myself.
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59476
Why doesn't the government go to one provider and provide the best coverage for every employee. This has been done in other government levels throughout the country and the cost savings is huge. In on instance, the saving were so great that employees don't have to pay anything for the medical coverage for the rest of their life. AH yes! My guess is that this will never happen because between the unions and insureance companies......somebody's hands are getting greased! Wake up and enter the forward thinking world and not the selfish thinking world.
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59473
Enrollees in the Blue Cross Blue Shield standard option, the most popular FEHB plan, will see their premiums increase 12.9 percent for self-only coverage and 13.4 percent for family coverage. Nearly 60 percent of FEHB enrollees are in Blue Cross Blue Shield.
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59472
Your story says that premiums will increase an average of 7% in 2009 but then it goes on to say that self only is going to increase 12+%. Who is only getting the increase of 7%??
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59470
I am shocked at the huge increase in health benefit premiums. As a new retiree, health benefits was a great perk for the retiring federal employee. This brings it closer to the hefty cost that would have been paid had we stayed with my husband's state retirement medical insurance. BC/BS, which has an obvious higher percentage of gov employee loyalty, will likely see a good amount of that erode. Certainly, with the largeness of their loyal federal customer base, they good do much better for their clients than 10-12% increases! Product loyalty can only go so far ... How disappointing!
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59467
Well there goes that 3.9 percent pay increase. Out of the employees' pockets and into the "poor" insurance companies' pockets - for less coverage.
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59463
you bet keep raising our premiums, but let's ball out the big boy's, to the tune of 700 billion. see anything wrong with this.
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59455
Well now that the President and both political parties are working on the Wall Street "Fat Cat" bailout, it is time to start financing the cost; of which this health care cost increases is but a small first step. Expect that federal employees and social security taxpayers in a thousand small ways will pay to shoulder more of the load to keep the economic engine working to support the lifestyles of our CEOs.
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