Benefits
GAO: DOD should end duplicative health plan
The Government Accountability Office issued a new report recommending that the Defense Department end its US Family Health Plan and transition the plan's beneficiaries into Tricare Prime.
Benefits
Bill would give special leave to disabled vets new to workforce
House lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill that would give extra sick leave to new federal employees who are disabled veterans so they can pursue medical treatment during their first year of employment.
Benefits
Proposed rule opens FEHB to some temp, seasonal employees
The Office of Personnel Management is proposing a regulation that would extend Federal Employees Health Benefits coverage to certain temporary and seasonal employees.
Benefits
More mental health choices coming to Tricare
Tricare subscribers now have access to an expanded mental health benefit, the organization announced.
Benefits
OPM makes changes to FEDVIP
Enrollment in dental and vision coverage—under the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP—will be opened up in future to some federal employees outside of the normal open period.
Benefits
Postal unions blast closures plan
Postal unions continue to react in protest against the Postal Service’s announcement that it would resume closing “up to 82” network and mail processing facilities—beginning early in 2015.
Benefits
LGBT advocates: Feds' access to sex changes will be slow
Even though the Office of Personnel Management recently issued guidance to Federal Employees Health Benefits insurers on how to extend health coverage for sex-change surgeries, advocates do not expect feds to have immediate access to the surgeries, Politico reports.
Benefits
VA speeds up payment of burial benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced new regulations under which it now can pay burial benefits automatically to most surviving spouses without a written application. The new rule became effective July 7, VA said.
Benefits
VA contacts 140,000 vets
The Department of Veterans Affairs late last week released its latest twice-monthly report on veterans' access to health care at VA facilities, and announced it had increased the number of individual vets it has contacted.
Benefits
CBO says compensation reforms could save DOD billions
The Congressional Budget Office has laid out a range of options for reducing compensation for military service members and retirees as a way to cut the defense budget to meet sequestration-mandated spending levels.
Benefits
VA medical center leaders to meet monthly with local partners
The Department of Veterans Affairs took steps this week to bolster its relationships with community health providers and veterans service organizations.
Benefits
OPM urges agencies to increase mental health awareness
The Office of Personnel Management last week issued a memo to heads of departments and agencies urging them to help raise mental health awareness in the workplace.
Benefits
Tricare to expand test coverage
Tricare announced that it will expand coverage of laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) under a new demonstration program.
Benefits
OPM issues guidance on transgender health coverage
The Office of Personnel Management has issued guidance to Federal Employees Health Benefits insurers that opens the way for carriers to provide coverage for sex-change surgeries.
Benefits
Senate bill likely to draw more vets into VA health care system, CBO says
A Senate bill aimed at improving veterans' access to care at the Department of Veterans Affairs could carry a hefty price tag, according to a preliminary assessment of one portion of the bill by the Congressional Budget Office.
Benefits
McCain bill would let vets seek care outside VA system
Several Republican senators have introduced a bill aimed at quickly addressing problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs by giving veterans greater flexibility to seek care outside the VA system at the government's expense.
Benefits
Commission to survey service members on compensation preferences
A commission aimed at modernizing military compensation and benefits programs is soliciting input from service members on their preferences.
Benefits
It could be worse (seriously)
If you think things are getting dicey when it comes to your federal benefits, step into this private-sector scenario for a moment ...
Benefits
Lawmaker wants to fast-track fixes for VA
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) over the weekend laid out a legislative package he said would correct problems that hinder veterans' access to medical care.
Benefits