Blue Cross Health Insurance Changes for Federal Workers Raise Concerns
Corrected 12/03/08: An earlier version incorrectly reported some details of the insurance changes.
Concerns about major coverage and payment changes that Blue Cross and Blue Shield is imposing on some 4 million federal workers has prompted a House hearing this week.
On Wednesday, the federal workforce subcommittee of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform will quiz officials from the insurance company and the Office of Personnel Management, as well as a doctor, about the upcoming changes. At issue: multiple changes listed in a 135-page explanation of coverage.
Critics claim that, without much notice to federal workers, changes are taking effect that will cut coverage while raising costs. "On January 1st, more than 4 million federal employees are going to get a nasty surprise Christmas gift from Blue Cross Blue Shield," said one critic who provided U.S. News with details.
Among the changes being planned: Premiums could rise 13 percent, and nonemergency services for out-of-network needs could see major fee jumps or no reimbursement at all.
However, the documents do note that workers have a choice of programs and that the changes coming to the new plan are not that radically different than what other insurance companies are imposing on private workplaces because of the slumping economy and continued surge in medical costs.
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Reader Comments
just bend over and grab your ankles
Just bend over and grab your ankles, that seems to be the American way these days. This is just one of the countless injustices imposed on us by our pharmaceutical companies,corporations, and enforced by our government.
Think about this. The very foods we eat are poisoned with chemicals and preservatives that cause cancer and other chronic illnesses. The cures for most illnesses are withheld from the public. After all it's more profitable to treat patients than to cure them. If people don't get sick, then the drug and insurance companies can't stay in business. And they give drug dealers a hard time! Drug addicts at least know the dangers of illegal drugs. Does a 5 year old know the dangers of ridelin, a drug comparable to cocaine!? But oh my god!!! We can't have hyper active kids, lets drug them into a coma!
Point is, everyone is getting screwed. However,the problem isn't the government or the corporations. The problem is the American people. Everyone complains, but no one does anything to change things. Americans don't even have the back bone to speak up or even protect their own children anymore! Wake up America!!!!
cost of chemotherapy
my husband is employed by a va hospital. i have recurrent ovarian cancer times 2. on top of worrying like crazy about whether or not the medications will work, we also must pay 15% of the medications that comes to several thousands of dollars, thank you very much.
why isn't what the insurance company pays enough. i have enough worries without getting a loan to pay chemo.
Blue cross and Blue shield copayments
I am a retired from the Federal Government. I think it is not fair to pay $65.00 per prescription from my pension and not have pretax dollars pay for my medical and dental. I no longer have a flexible savings account and that also is not a good thing.
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