fbpx

2023 in the Rear View Mirror – Observations and Updates

Posted on Friday, 15th December 2023 by Dennis Damp

Share

I like to close out each year with a few last-minute updates and observations. My next article won’t be published until early January. Time to celebrate the holidays and just sit back and relax awhile. The Clock Keeps Ticking – Thankfully The older I get, the faster time flies by. In our youth most couldn’t […]

Posted in

| Comments (2)

T-Bills, Savings Bonds, and CD Investments in the Spot Light

Posted on Friday, 8th December 2023 by Dennis Damp

Share

I started purchasing Treasury Bills in early 2022 to increase our returns due to the extremely low interest rates banks, credit unions, and CDs were offering at the time. The Federal Reserve kept interest rates artificially low far too long. After a decade of near zero interest rates, those on fixed incomes were losing money […]

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in

| Comments (0)

Comparing FEHB Plans to their Medicare Advantage (MA) Option

Posted on Friday, 24th November 2023 by Dennis Damp

Share

This article compares the Government Employees Health Association (GEHA) Standard Plan to their new MA Option. You will have to review the specific plan of interest to ensure it covers the services you need for the upcoming year.   Open season closes December 11, we have less than two weeks to decide whether to stay […]

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in

| Comments (10)

2024 FEHB Plan Selection Guide – Which Plan is Best for YOU

Posted on Friday, 17th November 2023 by Dennis Damp

Share

  Open season runs from November 13th through December 11th.  There are tools available to evaluate provider options, select your 2024 plan, and submit changes to OPM. Use the following resources to make an informed decision for you and your family’s health care needs. Forward this article to others that can use this “Open Season” […]

Tags: , , ,
Posted in

| Comments (4)

Prescription Drug Coverage and MA Plans in 2024 – Part 2

Posted on Friday, 10th November 2023 by Dennis Damp

Share

The Inflation Reduction Act’s Part D reforms will impact FEHB plans in 2024. Historically, most federal annuitants didn’t need to consider Part D because FEHB prescription drug benefits were as good or better and didn’t have an additional premium. However, OPM has allowed FEHB plans to offer Part D prescription drug plans (PDP) in 2024, […]

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in

| Comments (0)

The FEP Medicare Prescription Drug Program (MPDP)

Posted on Thursday, 2nd November 2023 by Dennis Damp

Share

I received a number of emails from Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) plan members about this new offering. Federal employees and annuitants, enrolled in Medicare and one of the BCBS plans, will automatically be enrolled in the new MPDP plan unless they opt-out. The BCBS website is fairly straight forward and addresses many of […]

Tags: , , ,
Posted in

| Comments (11)

2024 COLA Increase is 3.2% & Medicare New Part B & D Premiums

Posted on Friday, 13th October 2023 by Dennis Damp

Share

More than 71 million Americans will see a 3.2% increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2024. Social Security retirement benefits will increase on average more than $50 per month starting in January. Federal retiree’s annuities under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) receive the full 3.2% increase while […]

Posted in

| Comments (0)

2024 FEHB Open Season Changes Plus Expanded Services

Posted on Friday, 6th October 2023 by Dennis Damp

Share

Each year OPM announces changes to the Federal Employee’s Health Benefit (FEHB) plans. This year is no exception, and there are a number of significant improvements to our health benefits program coming next year. These changes include expanded coverage for fertility, including broader coverage of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) related services, gender affirming care, prevention and […]

Tags: , ,
Posted in

| Comments (2)

Terms Of Use