Healthcare Premiums to Increase by 3.7 Percent; Increases for APWU Plans Will Be Less
September 25, 2013
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced on Sept. 24 that the average premium rate for the 8.2 million people covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program will increase by 3.7 percent in 2014.
Increases for employees covered by the APWU Health Plan’s High Option and Consumer Driven Option will be lower, with increases of just 3 percent. One widely-used FEHB plan reports an increase as high as 7 percent.
In addition to the low rate increase, benefits have been enhanced in three big ways:
- Maternity care will be covered at 100 percent in-network
- Lab tests will be covered at 100 percent when they are performed by LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics (High Option Only)
- In-network hospital stays will cover all radiology, pathology and anesthesia services as “in-network,” regardless of the provider’s network status.
"We are pleased that we were able to keep costs low and benefits high,” said APWU President Cliff Guffey. “The APWU Health Plan offers two great options. I encourage all postal and federal employees to consider the APWU Health Plan during this year’s Open Season.”
During Open Season, which runs from Nov. 11 to Dec. 9, postal and federal employees may enroll for the first time or switch plans. Changing Plans does not mean you have to change doctors. The APWU Health Plan has almost 1 million providers in both options.
The average premium increase for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) will be under 1 percent for dental coverage and average premiums for vision benefits will decrease by 1.3 percent.
For more information about the APWU Health Plan and the Consumer Driven Option, visit www.apwuhp.com. The OPM website provides a detailed breakdown on the FEHB Program premium rates and the FEDVIP rates.