A Mountain of Competing Plans Make Open Enrollment Dizzying

The health insurance program for federal employees and retirees is all about choice and competition, and there seems to be plenty in this open enrollment season.

For 2008, the program offers 283 health plans -- national plans and local health maintenance organizations -- with most employees and retirees eligible to join from a dozen to 20 plans, depending on where they live and their occupation. Most plans are open to all, but some specialize in providing medical coverage to specific groups, such as intelligence and law enforcement employees.

While it is easy to spot the choices available in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, it is harder to see the competition among the plans. That's partly because the Office of Personnel Management, which administers the FEHBP, discourages plans from drawing comparisons with competitors or marketing against one another.

But the insurance plans do compete, and a number appear to have stepped up their efforts to add subscribers and tout their services. For example:

¿ Aetna is calling attention to its launch of an online, interactive "personal health record" that the company hopes will help enrollees take better stock of their health care.

A search engine scans claims information, such as doctor visits and diagnostic treatments and prescriptions, and, if necessary, alerts enrollees about possible problems or opportunities to improve care. Enrollees also may enter family health histories, immunization records, allergies and other data into their records.

¿ The American Postal Workers Union has been reminding union members that its collective bargaining agreement with the U.S. Postal Service means the agency will pay 95 percent of the premium next year for enrollees in the APWU Health Plan consumer-driven option.

As a general rule, the government pays for about 75 percent of the overall cost of each FEHBP plan, up to a maximum amount set by a complex formula. The maximum contribution for next year is about $3,800 for individuals and $8,600 for families. Enrollees shoulder the cost of premiums above the government's share, and their premium share can be much higher for the more expensive plans in FEHBP.

¿ The Association Benefit Plan is available only to civilian employees of the intelligence community and the FBI and retirees of the CIA. The plan features a "best doctors" program and discounts on dental, vision and hearing services.