Congressman Connolly to Hold Health Plan Open Season Workshop Saturday

Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-11th) will hold his annual Open Season Workshop tomorrow at the Fairfax County Government Center to assist federal employees and retirees in navigating through changes in the 2014 Federal Employees Health Benefits Plans (FEHBP), dental and vision insurance programs and flexible spending accounts, according to a news release from the congressman's office.

Participants will also be able to get a flu shot from the Fairfax County Health Department, for a $25 fee with Medicare Part D accepted.

The federal government’s open season for federal employees and retirees to change their health plans runs from Nov. 11 to Dec. 9.

The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Government Center is located at 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax.

This year’s event will once again feature FEHBP expert Walt Francis, author of CHECKBOOKS’s Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees, along with presentations by other FEHB experts. Representatives of the Office of Personnel Management, Medicare and the various FEHB plans, will be available to answer questions discuss their programs with participants.

“Most FEHB plans have benefit and rate changes for 2014 so it is important that federal employees and retirees know the details on how their current plans are changing and whether or not there is another option that better suits their needs,” Connolly said in the news release. “With these possible changes, it is important that every federal employee and retiree review the status of their current coverage.”

Connolly is urging every federal employee and retiree, as well as survivor and former spouse annuitants, to make sure they review their FEHB plan coverage and other benefits before Open Season ends on Dec. 9. “Federal employees, retirees, and annuitants who have questions or want to make sure that they have the coverage they need are welcome to attend my Open Season Workshop on November 23,” he said.

The workshop will feature:

10 a.m. – 11 a.m. 

Panel Discussion featuring experts on FEHB programs and available health plan options, including FEHBP expert Walt Francis, author of CHECKBOOKS’s Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Representatives of various FEHB health plans and Medicare will be available to provide information and answer questions concerning plan offerings for 2014.
Federal employees seeking further information about FEHB plans can visit OPM’s FEHB Open Season website at:http://www.opm.gov/insure/openseason/ .

The OPM Web site contains detailed information about FEHB plans, dental insurance, vision insurance, and flexible spending accounts for federal employees and dependents. The site also provides links to frequently asked questions and other information that federal employees and retirees might need to help them make decisions about their current and future coverage.

Federal employees, retirees, or annuitants seeking more information about the Open Season workshop can call Connolly’s district office at (703) 256-3071.