Open Season Resource Center

Open Season

• Shave — maybe slash — your 2020 health premiums, consider plan B

  Even though Federal Employees Health Benefits Program health premiums are likely to go up next year, Uncle Sam will continue to pay the lion’s share of the total premium.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  July 16, 2019
• What furloughed feds close to and actively retiring should know

  Among those stuck at home are people who were about to retire or had already filed their retirement papers. Federal retirement expert Tammy Flanagan had some answers on the potential delay for benefits.

  Government Shutdown
  January 07, 2019
• For many, another crack at open season

  If you are like most federal workers and retirees the health insurance open season that ended earlier this month was just a big yawn. But there will another individual open season next year if you have a qualifying life event.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  December 27, 2018
• Federal benefits expert Tammy Flanagan answers Medicare questions

  If you’re one of 10,000 people who will turn 65 years old today, you’re probably at least thinking of retiring. For federal employees this brings complicated choices about healthcare insurance options.

  Federal Drive
  December 12, 2018
• Sleepwalking through another open season

  Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says the health insurance open season ends today at close of business, which is bad news if you don’t like comparison shopping, but good news if you found the perfect plan for you and yours at a good price.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  December 10, 2018
• The question is: To (Medicare) B or not to B?

  Finding the best deal among 20 to 30 health plan options can be tough for young or healthy federal workers. But it is a real, albeit vital chore for those with less money and more medical problems.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  December 07, 2018
• Health insurance after you’ve gone

  Ever think what your spouse will do for health insurance after you’ve gone? He or she has been part of your family plan and they can continue coverage for life, provided you elect a survivor annuity for your spouse.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  December 06, 2018
• When health premiums and your budget collide

  When low premiums are a must it’s hard to beat the federal employee health benefits program. Uncle Sam pays the lion’s share of the premium and there are some bargains in the program, if you know where to look.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  December 05, 2018
• Got the Blue Cross blues?

  Because various Blue Cross Blue Shield plans have been so good for so long, many feds in them haven’t bothered to shop around for maybe a better deal.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  December 04, 2018
• Ready to retire? Check back in 5 years

  Each year hundreds, maybe thousands of feds learn the hard way about the five-year rule for keeping coverage under FEHBP in retirement.

  Mike Causey Federal Report
  December 03, 2018
• DoD imposes financial sanctions on TRICARE contractor amid ongoing transition problems

  Incomplete, inaccurate provider database remains a major problem, 11 months after new vendors took over TRICARE management.

  Defense News
  November 30, 2018
• Federal Open Season – with Kaiser Permanente

  Host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Tammy Flanagan, Senior Benefits Director at NITP, as they welcome guests Gavin Toner, Jennifer Williams, and Dr. Bruce Wollman from Kaiser Permanente.

  Insight by NITP, Inc
  November 29, 2018
• Your health plan vs. the law of averages

  Workers and retirees in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program have several choices: They can shop around, talk with their primary physicians, or, like most people they can do nothing.

  Commentary
  November 29, 2018
• Open season: Is it time to switch health care plans?

  Walton Francis, editor of Consumers Checkbook Guide to Federal Health Plans, joined host Mike Causey on this week’s Your Turn to talk about best buys during FEHBP open season and why more people need to switch health care plans.

  Your Turn
  November 28, 2018