Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) and the Affordable Care Act

FEHB and Affordable Care Act

Getting health care coverage has been a huge topic across the airwaves for many months.  Although it is reported that a large number of Americans now have some form of health care coverage, there are still a lot of unanswered questions about what the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) Marketplace means for Federal and Postal employees and how it will impact their decision about the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) they are eligible for through their employer.

• Also Read: 3 Reasons Certain Federal Employees Can Retire Years Earlier Than Their Peers Without Penalties
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Federal and Postal employees are covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.  They have the opportunity to choose from a number of plans that fit their individual and family needs.  Every Federal and Postal employee is eligible for health coverage via FEHB if they so choose.  Employees do have the option to waive  FEHB coverage because many federal employees may be covered by a spouse’s plan.  There may also be a situation where both spouses are federal or postal employee and only need one spouse to carry the coverage.

The Affordable Care Act ‘Marketplace’ was designed to offer health insurance at affordable market rates to citizens who were not covered by a health plan. The Marketplace was never intended to replace FEHB for Federal and Postal employees.  If you are a Federal or Postal employee, there is nothing wrong with listening to how the Marketplace is impacting the lives of many Americans who thought health care coverage would never become a reality; but that is about as far as it goes.  Federal and Postal employees do not have to take any action when it comes to their health care coverage relevant to the Marketplace and in fact would likely be receiving a far inferior plan at a significantly higher cost by switching.

As a FERS or CSRS employee you have been eligible for FEHB covereage since before the Marketplace and you are still covered by FEHB after the Marketplace.  As it stands, Federal and Postal employees have one of the best health care programs around – If you’re eligible for Federal Employees Health Benefits DO NOT give up your coverage without very serious consideration.

P.S.  Always Remember to Share What You Know.

For more information on FEHB and Postal employees read this

For information on how your retirement election can impact your spousal FEHB coverage read this