FEHBP premiums to increase by 7.2 percent

The Washington Post: "Federal employees will see their health insurance premiums increase at a far higher rate than their pay next year, but less than many private sector workers." The Office of Personnel Management announced Friday that the average incrdase for Federal Employee Health Benefits Program enrollees will be 7.2 percent. That amount is "significantly more than their average pay raise, which is slated to be 1.4 percent in 2011." Last year the average increase was 8.8 percent (Davidson, 10/1).

Federal Times: "Enrollees in the most popular federal plan — Blue Cross Blue Shield Standard Option — will pay 6.9 percent more for self-only plans and 7.6 percent more for self-and-family plans." The FEHBP covers 8 million federal employees and retirees (Watkins, 10/1).

Government Executive: "According to OPM, the increase is due to changes in the health care market and added plan features, such as tobacco cessation incentives, preventative screenings at no cost to enrollees and extending coverage to adult children age 26 or younger. The new cutoff age for dependent coverage, mandated by the health reform law, will take effect on Jan. 1, 2011" (Long, 10/1).