What are the Federal Health Insurance Plans?

The Federal Health Insurance Plans are given to all federal employees who are considered regular employees or permanent and full-time working civilians. As soon as the probationary period or the casual employment status is finished the employee will automatically have the option of enrolling. This is an open enrollment plan and can be changed whenever the employees’ status changes.

For example, when the employee gets married, divorced, adopts a child, gave birth or becomes a single parent, or the spouse has changed his/her employment status. During the annual open season, employees are given the option to enroll or withdraw their enrollment.

It is during this season too where enrolled employees have the opportunity to change their insurance plan to another of their choice.

Health insurance plans developed by various employee associations can be marketed among government employees. These different insurance plans are included during the open enrollment season. Private insurance companies are allowed to market and provide their products to any government agencies as well.

Whichever of the plans you choose as an employee, you still pay a corresponding percentage. The ratio is 72-75% for the employer and the remaining will be charged to the employee. This ratio applies to all the government employees who avail of insurance for self-coverage or family policy. However, postal service employees are charged higher due to the collective bargaining agreements within their agency.

At present, the National Association of Letter Carriers and Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association are the leading employee unions that provide insurance plans to their co-employees. These two major union providers are available nationwide.