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2009 Health Insurance Rates: How Much Will Your Rate Change?

Employee Health Premiums not Paid

Admin Asst
USAF Department of Defense
Tue Oct 7, 2008 10:48 AM

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I never see anyone address the fact that federal employees who do not use their "earned health benefits" get no compensation when not signing up for the benefit. All around us are peers who are compensated more because they sign up for health "benefits" whereas other employees do not "cost the government" anything for one of our prime benefits. When working in the private sector, many companies compensate their employees with paid health premiums (either full or partial) or an equal portion included in their paycheck because it is part of their wage package. Why do federal employees only get part of their earnings package? I understand that many federal employees are retired military and already receive greatly reduced medical care, free prescriptions, etc. It would be fair to adjust their Tricare premiums to give them what benefits they are earning when becoming federal employees. Why should so many of us receive less than what we are “earning” when working for Department of Defense?

FEHB

Retired
USPS
Tue Oct 7, 2008 10:48 AM

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The Editor is correct in opening a Pandora's Box. Once started, it could proceed right down or up the chain of risk. These can include; occupations, age, gender, number of claims and include as mentioned, lifestyles.

Insurance Premiums

Resource Analyst
USAF
Tue Oct 7, 2008 11:10 AM

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What role do Unions play in negoiating these rates? They are good at arguing about a breakroom or defending Billy Bob for not working, but where are they on the big issues?

Re: Insurance Premiums

Agent
IRS
Wed Oct 8, 2008 8:33 AM
Only OPM can negotiate insurance premuims so get off your high horse about unions and learn labor law. The unions pushed for a higher pay raise for you, without them you would get what George W wanted to give

FEHB Rate Increase

Grants & Agreements Specialist
USDA Forest Service
Tue Oct 7, 2008 11:15 AM

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Some readers also ask why the cost of health insurance is the same for smokers and non-smokers based on the assumption that non-smokers are going to have more claims and more health problems.

In regard to the above--have insurance companies considered premium discounts for healthy lifestyles like car insurance companies do for safe drivers?

Re: FEHB Rate Increase

Diversity Manager
DOL
Tue Oct 7, 2008 3:26 PM
Almost all private health plans charge more for smokers to enroll and that's across the board single or family. The smokers pay a 20% premium for the coverage, makes sense for the feds to do likewise

Congressional Math

Civil Engineer
Forest Service
Tue Oct 7, 2008 12:21 PM

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OPM must be using congressional math to figure the "average" rate increase. If BC/BS has a vastly larger enrollment, then how does their 9 to 13 % increase get averaged out to 8% for everyone. I do not see enough decreases to offset this increase, except if you calculate like our Congress does.

BCBS PLANS

ATSS
FAA
Tue Oct 7, 2008 12:35 PM

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Why doesn't OPM offer a plan that just covers husband and wife. I know for a fact that BCBS offers one, but OPM chooses not to offer it to it's employees.

Third Plan aShould be Added

Adminstrative Assistant
I.R.S.
Tue Oct 7, 2008 12:49 PM

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I believe there should be a 3rd plan offered by insurance companies. It should be entitled, Couples Only Plan. My husband and I do not have, nor have ever had, any children covered under our insurance plan. However, we pay the same amount as a Family of 3 or more (I know one person with 8 kids). I don't think it is fair that we have to supplement the families members of others as we chose not to have children.

Re: Third Plan aShould be Added

Retired
VA
Tue Oct 7, 2008 4:07 PM
That doesn’t begin to cover the governmental inequities given to people who choose to have numerous children and fund their decisions with taxes from those who don’t. Why is there a tax deduction for children that isn’t given to people without? Do we really need to fund overpopulation? Why do those without children have to pay for schools that (supposedly) educate other people’s children. The only thing the public school in our area does for those without children is jam up the road during rush hour with kids driving BMWs to school rather than ride on the school bus they were forced to purchase and pay to operate (almost empty).

Re: Third Plan aShould be Added

Retired
USPS
Tue Oct 7, 2008 4:46 PM
Actually, the premiums charged two single enrollments is almost as much as Family coverage. Plus, in most cases only one catastropic limit needs to be met, before 100% coverage kicks in. I do not mind paying a slightly higher premium for Family vs. two single enrollments, as this is part of the protection afforded across the board, for all subscribers.

Re: Third Plan aShould be Added

Bemused
IRS
Thu Oct 9, 2008 9:16 AM
You people obviously don't understand the first premise of insurance. Insurance is a means of covering expenses that would be too costly for one person to bear by having everyone share a bit of the cost. Thus, you carry coverage on your house because you wouldn't want to pay the cost of rebuilding (and continuing to pay the mortgage) when you accidentally burn it down. I, by paying my homeowners policy, am subsidizing the cost of rebuilding your home. Same for your auto policy and health coverage. I carried family coverage all the years I had an eligible child. Thank God I never had to use it. But it was there if I needed it and it was there for my coworker's child when he fell out of the tree and broke his leg. Thank God, or your luck stars, that you are healthy and want to pay little for your coverage. It may not always be that way, and that's when we all help you. I don't use my health insurance much, but I'll still pay the premiums and pray I remain healthy.
Total Comments: 80
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