Benefits
House-passed budget resolution hits feds in pocketbook
The House on a 228-199 vote approved a budget resolution that proposes a range of changes affecting federal employee compensation, including cuts to healthcare and retirement benefits.
Benefits
VA alters Veterans Choice 40-mile rule
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced this week that it will revise the way it calculates the distance between a veteran’s residence and the nearest VA medical facility in order to expand eligibility for its Veterans Choice program.
Benefits
OPM instructs FEHB insurers on self-plus-one plans
The Office of Personnel Management last week directed insurers who offer FEHB coverage to make sure that rates for the new "self-plus-one" coverage slated to debut with the 2016 plan year are lower than rates for self-and-family coverage.
Benefits
VA changes method for determining eligibility
The Department of Veterans Affairs said it eliminated net worth as a factor in determining a veteran's eligibility for VA health care.
Benefits
Tricare announces compound screen drug screening
Tricare said that its pharmacy contractor, Express Scripts, on May 1 will begin to screen all ingredients in compound drug claims to make sure they are safe and effective, and covered by Tricare.
Benefits
DOD personnel agency warns of alleged scam
Personnel officials warned Defense Department civilian workers about a company that allegedly is using misleading ads related to the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program as part of a sales scam.
Benefits
Three Ways for Military Spouses to Find a Federal Job on a Military Base
Most military spouses know about USAJOBS and will look there for federal jobs that might be in the geographic location of their next duty station. What many spouses do not know is that there are two other sources of federal jobs to consider.
Benefits
FEHB insurer nixes security audit
Health insurer Anthem Inc. has refused to let federal inspectors conduct a full vulnerability scan of its systems in the wake of a data breach affecting nearly 80 million individuals.
Benefits
Wounded Warriors sick leave bill advances
A Senate panel this week passed a bill that would provide 104 hours of sick leave up front to disabled veterans who are first-year federal employees.
Benefits
Health insurer data breach affects feds
A well-publicized data breach at health insurer Anthem, a provider of federal benefits for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, has impacted federal employee participants—some past, and some present—potentially compromising some of their personal data.
Benefits
NATCA marks engineers week
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association—whose approximately 15,000 members work mostly for the Federal Aviation Administration—is celebrating the role of the FAA's engineers this week, Feb. 22-28.
Benefits
Innovations in Government Awards announced
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University's Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation has announced 124 awards for innovative government programs.
Benefits
IG report: VA regional office failed to process 'informal claims'
An investigation by the Department of Veteran Affairs Office of Inspector General found that the VA Regional Office in Oakland, Calif., had not been properly reviewing and processing informal claims, according to an IG report.
Benefits
VA 'choice cards' cause confusion
Initial feedback on the Department of Veterans Affairs' new "choice card" program indicates vets and doctors alike are confused on how and when to use the cards.
Benefits
Where are my drugs?
Thanks to an idea suggested by a Department of Veterans Affairs employee, vets now can track the status of most of their prescriptions online, the department said.
Benefits
Some Tricare drug copays increase
New copays for prescription drugs covered by Tricare went into effect Feb. 1, the organization said.
Benefits
Military compensation report calls for radical changes
A highly anticipated study on military retirement and compensation released Thursday recommends trimming military pensions and eliminating the Tricare health insurance program.
Benefits
Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act advances
The Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act received a boost Jan. 27, when it won the unanimous approval of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Benefits
Lawmakers introduce bill to provide feds paid parental leave
House Democrats this week introduced a bill that would provide federal employees with six weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child.
Benefits