Federal employee health premiums to rise 6.2 percent on average

[TexasTowelie]

The enrollee share of premiums in the health-care program for federal employees and retirees will rise 6.2 percent on average in 2017, an increase about in line with the general trend for employer-sponsored health insurance, the government announced Wednesday.

The announcement of premium rates in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program comes in advance of an annual open season, which this year will run Nov. 14-Dec. 12, during which enrollees may change plans or change types of enrollment for the following year. Also, employees who are not currently enrolled may join the program, although retirees generally may not newly join.

The increase in premiums overall averages 4.4 percent, but because of the way the formula works for setting the government and enrollee shares, the enrollee share on average is increasing by more than the government share. The government pays about 70 percent of the total premium and enrollee pays the rest; the U.S. Postal Service pays a somewhat larger share for its employees, although not for its retirees.

“We are at the lower end of what is being experienced around the country,” John O’Brien, Office of Personnel Management director of health care and insurance, said at a briefing for reporters. OPM said that two outside assessments project increases of 6 to 6.5 percent in private-sector plans.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/09/28/federal-employee-health-premiums-to-rise-6-2-percent-on-average/

[area51]

1. We need

single-payer.

[annabanana]

2. Thanks Lieberman. Thanks Nelson..

We rememebr what you did

[LittleGirl]

3. So

are they going to get a raise to compensate for the increase? This is terrible news.

[n2doc]

4. Of course not!

Fed Budget was level funded (or maybe less!) because the idiots in CONgress couldn't agree on anything.

[LittleGirl]

5. Yeah, I know

it wasn't really a 'real' question...it's just that health care costs have gone off the charts for all of us and frankly, I'm sick of it. Being female, I've always had to pay more than males and I guess I have never gotten over it and still look for a refund.
Worst Congress EVEH!

[yeoman6987]

6. Lol. I think they are getting 1.7 percent raise

Everyone getting a pay cut.

[cagefreesoylentgreen]

11. Federal employee here

I got a raise of 1.62% for the year. Wow, just WOW. What will I do with all my riches?!

/sarc

[Vinca]

7. Better than the 300% my insurance went up pre-Obamacare.

But we do need single-payer or at least an option for everyone to buy into Medicare at a reasonable price.

[LittleGirl]

8. For some of us

the increases haven't stopped since Obamacare became law.

[Vinca]

9. I forgot to mention that was in the span of one year.

They got wind of a pre-existing condition and - boom - from $400 to $1200 a month.

[LittleGirl]

10. I was actually denied because of pre-existing

and because I'm a female, paid much much more than my colleagues.

[Vinca]

12. That happened to me after I couldn't afford to pay the premiums.

I went from 2004 until the pre-existing condition pool of Obamacare opened without insurance. It was a very unhappy and miserable period. After getting onto Obamacare I had surgery within 6 weeks that pretty much cured my problems. I credit Obamacare with saving my life since I was in so much pain by that time I was considering suicide. We need single-payer. No one should have to suffer and/or go broke over a medical condition.