Federal Health Benefits - Open Season

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about FSBP? I keep hearing how it’s the best kept secret within the government arena - that is, if you are eligible. I have BCBS and haven’t had too many issues.

FSBP - how is it?

Idk about FSBP but do you have standard or basic BCBS.

Most people who use BCBS are fine with Basic. It doesn't cover out of network, but most local providers are in network. If you really need out of network, look at the difference in premium between basic and standard and whether you would make that up with the out of network reimbursements.

[Anonymous]

Apparently my family is eligible for FSHB also. We currently have GEHA Standard.

Can anybody compare the two? It doesn't look like FSHB is that much better than GEHA Standard, but I could easily be misunderstanding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apparently my family is eligible for FSHB also. We currently have GEHA Standard.

Can anybody compare the two? It doesn't look like FSHB is that much better than GEHA Standard, but I could easily be misunderstanding.

It might not be as good of a switch from GEHA. I was on BCBS so it was a huge savings but that is because BCBS is sooooooo $$$$$

[Anonymous]

Shout out to the person who brought up FSBP. I had no idea I was eligible. Benefits looked comparable if not better, for HALF THE PRICE. I'm going to try it for a year and see.

[Anonymous]

I've always done BCBS standard. Is the network with FSBP as extensive as BCBS around here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've always done BCBS standard. Is the network with FSBP as extensive as BCBS around here?

It is managed domestically by AETNA which I have found no issues with coverage with. Even my therapist and specialist ENT were covered I didn't have to switch anything

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shout out to the person who brought up FSBP. I had no idea I was eligible. Benefits looked comparable if not better, for HALF THE PRICE. I'm going to try it for a year and see.

+1000.

[Anonymous]

I'm just bumping this because open season ends on monday.

DON'T FORGET TO OPT INTO YOUR FSA ACCOUNTS PEOPLE!

[Anonymous]

What is FSBP/FSHB?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm just bumping this because open season ends on monday.

DON'T FORGET TO OPT INTO YOUR FSA ACCOUNTS PEOPLE!

Is that no longer a gotcha? 12 or some years ago I had to buy a bunch for thermometers and first aid kits at the last minute to not lose a bunch of money. The next year I just lost the money instead. Haven't opted in since. Is it easier to manage now?

[Anonymous]

We are doing BlueChoice advantage HDHP. I ran the numbers and it's a far better deal than our current BCBS Basic, even with the deductible, and it uses the same provider network. The premiums + deductible are still less than premiums only for BCBS Basic (after accounting for the fact that the HDHP will put $1800 in the HSA for my family). Then I will take the $3500 that I usually put in an FSA and stick it in an HSA, which can roll over indefinitely and I can take with me if I ever leave the government.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just bumping this because open season ends on monday.

DON'T FORGET TO OPT INTO YOUR FSA ACCOUNTS PEOPLE!

Is that no longer a gotcha? 12 or some years ago I had to buy a bunch for thermometers and first aid kits at the last minute to not lose a bunch of money. The next year I just lost the money instead. Haven't opted in since. Is it easier to manage now?

Easy enough for me, i saved $1k in taxes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just bumping this because open season ends on monday.

DON'T FORGET TO OPT INTO YOUR FSA ACCOUNTS PEOPLE!

Is that no longer a gotcha? 12 or some years ago I had to buy a bunch for thermometers and first aid kits at the last minute to not lose a bunch of money. The next year I just lost the money instead. Haven't opted in since. Is it easier to manage now?

Easy enough for me, i saved $1k in taxes.

All FSA plans require some planning/speculation/luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just bumping this because open season ends on monday.

DON'T FORGET TO OPT INTO YOUR FSA ACCOUNTS PEOPLE!

Is that no longer a gotcha? 12 or some years ago I had to buy a bunch for thermometers and first aid kits at the last minute to not lose a bunch of money. The next year I just lost the money instead. Haven't opted in since. Is it easier to manage now?

Easy enough for me, i saved $1k in taxes.

All FSA plans require some planning/speculation/luck.

Yeah, it’s a PIA. After they stopped the unlimited rollover from COVID, I had $800 left in 2023. I hadn’t used it for years, so I spent it on a nice pair of glasses to zero the balance so I could stop making minimum contributions just to get the rollover. Of course, in 2024, I needed emergency surgery.

[Anonymous]

FSAFeds is actually a bigger PITA now. They will process/refund all your copays automatically but they had some weird security thing and now you need to sign invia login.gov just to submit a receipt