Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) recently sent a letter asking the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to hold a hearing to investigate why premiums for federal employees are going up so much.
OPM recently announced that premiums will be going up an average of 83% for participants in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance program.
In her letter, Comstock said that she has received numerous complaints from federal employees who are her constituents who are very unhappy about the price increase.
She asked the House committee to consider holding a hearing to determine the following:
- What was the projected shortfall cited by the insurer in the contract negotiations?
- If the premium increases really are necessary, is there a reason they cannot be amortized over a longer period of time?
- What information does OPM have to justify the increase? How would such information reduce the risk of substantial premium increases in the future?
- Despite the contract process being open for bids, there was only one bidder. Comstock wants to know what factors does OPM contribute to the lack of applications from other insurers.
A copy of her letter is included below.
Some other Congressmen who represent districts that are home to many federal employees also recently sent a letter to OPM asking for answers as to why the premiums have gone up so much. See Congressmen Want Answers from OPM About FLTCIP Rate Hike
Comstock Letter on Premium Spikes for Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program
