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Reports on the expectations on health plans under the Federal Employees Benefits Program in the United States (US) for the year 2000. Average insurance premiums; Health coverage payment of federal employees outside the US Postal Service; Two categories of premiums for the plans of nonpostal employees; Premiums for postal employees.

Lists the premiums for Tricare supplemental health insurance plans offered to retired military personnel in the United States. Premiums required by the Air Force Sergeants Association; Information on the Army Aviation Association of America; Premiums required by the Marine Corps Association.

Provides information about health insurance premiums for federal employees and retirees in the United States. Rate increase for premiums of nonpostal plans; Offer of point-of-service option for postal workers; Total of plans from which to choose under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program; Chart of employee premiums for different plans.

The article reports on the announcement issued by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on September 27, 2011, that there will be an increase in health insurance premiums for non-postal federal employees and retirees. According to John Berry, director of OPM, the increases are made to reflect an emphasis on stress preventive medicine and on managing costs. Additional benefits are also announced by health insurer GEHA, Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Reports on the increase in premiums of the United States Health Benefits Program in 2001. Impact of the increase in premiums on membership to the program; Factors which contributed to the increase in premiums; Reluctance of federal employees to participate in the program. INSET: Outpatient Care Accounts For Biggest Cost Increase.

Presents a chart on insurance premiums for the highest-option Tricare retiree plan offered by military associations, credit unions and insurance companies in the United States.

The article reports that the soaring health insurance premiums has prompted U.S. federal government employees to sign up for the lowest-cost health plans in the last five years. It says that almost 300,000 retirees and employees have left the three most popular high-cost health plans since 2007. The author adds that the shift has been driven by insurance premium increases, which hit a five-year high of 7.4 percent on average in 2010.

The article looks at the possible impact of a federal deficit reduction deal being finalized by U.S. legislators on federal pay and benefits. It includes the extension of the pay freeze to third year, lower pension cost of living adjustments (COLAs), and health premiums. American Federation of Government Employees national president John Gage cites the possibility of higher contributions to pensions.

The article reports on the expected increase in health insurance premiums of U.S. federal employees and retirees in 2011. Premiums paid by about eight million employees and retirees under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program will see them rise by 7.2% on average from 8.8% increase in 2010. The average premiums for self-only coverage will surge to 5.53 dollars each pay period. Premiums on family plans, however, will increase to 11.45 dollars on average every pay period.

A table is presented which compares premiums and what U.S. federal employees and retirees pay for other benefits under the largest nationwide fee-for-service health insurance plans including the American Postal Workers Union Health Plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Benefit Plan and the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan.

The article reports that the 2009 defense policy bill in the U.S. would cap Tricare fees and would order a rollback in the military health insurance program. The bill would also waive copayments for some services and propose an allowance that might be paid to active-duty members if they take steps to live healthier lives in order to push preventive care. Details of the bill's health care provision are provided including Tricare Reserve Select premiums and smoking cessation.

The article reports on the call of the 10th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (QRMC) to increase the Tricare fees for military retirees under 65 years old. It says that this request stems from the U.S. Defense Department's (DoD) rising health care costs, which are expected to reach $42.9 billion in 2009. The details of the four-phased increases recommended by the QRMC for Tricare Prime, Standard and Extra are offered.

The article reports on the call of the 10th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (QRMC) from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for military retirees under age 65 to pay more for their Tricare benefits. The premiums of working-age retirees would be equitable with those paid by older retirees under such move. There was a decline in the share of the military's overall health care costs that are borne by beneficiaries due to lack of change in Tricare fees. Also cited is the Tricare Prime premiums for married couples.

The article reports on the potential increase in premiums for health maintenance organizations and the decrease in costs of traditional fee-for-service health insurance plans in the U.S. in 2007. According to Linda Springer, director of the Office of Personnel Management, her agency has reserves more than enough to cover any unexpected program costs.

Reports on the low increase in the premiums of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program in the U.S. in 2005. Details of the increase; Reason for the slowdown in the increase in health care costs; Increase made by companies and nonfederal governments in health insurance premiums in 2004.

Lists several types of supplemental insurance premiums for active-duty families in the United States offered by military associations, credit unions and insurance companies.

The article offers information on the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) healthcare program Tricare and the rise in health care premiums for the adult children of service members and military retirees under Tricare Young Adult Prime and Tricare Young Adult Standard by 26 to 47 percent in 2016.

A correction to the article "Tricare Choice: What's in it for you?" that was published in the March 23, 2015 issue is presented.

A correction to the article "Tricare Choice: What's in it for you?" published in the March 23, 2015 issue is presented.

Reports that leading insurers and lawmakers will resist any move by the government to assume more control of the federal health insurance program in an attempt to halt increasing insurance premiums in the United States. Reasons for the premium hikes; Government mandates that raise the costs of health care insurance; Competition of health care insurance from health maintenance organizations.

Reports on the increase in health insurance premiums in the United States. Average increases paid by federal employees and retirees; Variance in premium increases; Mandated levels of health insurance coverage.

The article reports on 3.2 percent increase in health-insurance premiums of federal agencies in the U.S. as of October 20, 2014.

The article provides questions and answers related to Tricare health premiums including how much to pay monthly for Tricare Reserve Select (TRS), is it necessary to take drug plans besides having pharmacy program, and is it necessary to pay Medicare Part B premium for 100 percent disabled veteran.

The article presents questions and answers related to 'gray-area' for reservists including eligibility for premium-based health plan Tricare Reserve and benefits of Tricare even after joining the armed forces.

This article focuses on the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program in the U.S. The estimated increase in premiums for employees' share is 7.2%. Particular focus is given to changes that can help offset the burden posed by increased premiums. It cites a plan by the Government Employees Health Association and Mail Handlers to offer a pilot program intended to coordinate their benefits with Medicare. It points out the need to assess the current plan's costs and benefits due to the various premiums that plans will charge in 2011.

The article presents questions and answers related to the effects of the new U.S. health care reform law on Tricare, including one on whether the law will increase Tricare fees, if it will limit the ability of beneficiaries to consult a doctor, and if it will result to the transfer of Tricare to other government health insurance program.

The article presents questions and answers related to the effects of the new U.S. health care reform law on Tricare, including one on whether the law will increase Tricare fees, if it will limit the ability of beneficiaries to consult a doctor, and if it will result to the transfer of Tricare to other government health insurance program.

The article focuses on which rules regarding benefits and salaries for U.S. federal employees will change or remain the same in 2010. The author notes that those under Federal Employees Retirement System or Civil Service Retirement System Offset earning more than 106,800 dollars a year will not be subjected to 6.2% Social Security deduction but the 1.45% deduction for Medicare Part A coverage will remain. He adds that employees will receive the same cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). New Medicare enrollees will have an increase in premiums.

The article focuses on the 2% wage increase for U.S. federal employees in December 2009, which is said to be the lowest in 22 years, and changes in benefits in 2010. The wage increase is lower when compared to the 3.4% increase in military pay, but the administration of President Barack Obama vowed pay parity in 2010. A bill was introduced at the Congress that aims to provide health and retirement benefits to same-sex partners employed by the government. Long-term care insurance premiums are expected to rise for federal employees and retirees.

The article reports on the release of projections on the costs posed by a 40% excise tax on Blue Cross Blue Shield premiums from the American Federation of Government Employees, the Communication Workers of America, the American Postal Workers Union and the National Association of Letter Carriers on December 8, 2009. Premium of 6,971 dollars in 2010 will cost a single employee 211 dollars in tax in 2013, including dental and vision coverage. It will rise to 3,475 in 2022. Family premium of 16,124 dollars will cost 24,356 dollars in tax by 2015.

The author offers a comparison between the benefits and premiums provided by the new U.S. Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program and the Custom Care II Enhanced retail policy underwritten by John Hancock Life. Categories considered in the comparison are superiority of the federal plan, superiority of the retail policy and superiority based on specific circumstances or future needs. The federal plan is said to be superior in terms of benefits for overseas care while the retail policy was better in providing the option to share benefits between spouses.

The article reports on the inclusion of a provision to repeal Tricare fee increases that took effect on October 1, 2009 in the compromise 2010 defense authorization bill by U.S. congressional negotiators. The Pentagon attempts to shift rising health care costs to active-duty service members, retirees and their families and survivors were blocked by lawmakers for the fourth consecutive year. The increase for active-duty family members was 1 dollar a day while retirees and their families received 110 dollars a day increase.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to an article on the possible increase in U.S. health insurance premiums by 8.8% including the role of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on stabilizing the premiums and benefits for federal employees, the reasons behind the rising medical costs and the health care reform bill.

This section offers news briefs on federal government operations in the U.S. A continuing resolution was passed by the House of Representatives to keep the government running until October 30, 2009. The Office of Personnel Management predicts that the health insurance premiums of federal employees will increase by an average of 8.8% in January 2010.

The article reports on the decision of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to temporarily give up its effort of urging the Congress to increase Tricare fees in 2009. Its comptroller Robert Hale said that focusing on the efficiencies of the program may slow down the rise of military health care costs. The Defense Business Board predicted that the annual defense medical care spending will rise to $66 billion by 2015. DoD raised its health care budget request for 2010 to $47.4 billion from $533.7 billion.

The article calls for the increase in Tricare fees for U.S. military beneficiaries. It says that the fee increase would balance the share in health care costs, which the author notes rose to $18 billion in 2000. It adds that fee hikes are necessary because military medical budget will not sustain the rising medical costs. It recommends indexing annual adjustments in fees to national average hikes in employer-sponsored health insurance premiums.

The article reports that Republican Representative John Fleming of Louisiana, who is assigned to the House Armed Services military personnel and readiness subcommittees, hopes to use his experience as a military physician to help make legislation. It relates that Fleming's Navy career started as a family doctor at Camp Pendleton, California, treating families of Marines. According to Fleming, the two issues that get his immediate attention are improving Tricare reimbursement rates for physicians and holding down Tricare premiums for beneficiaries.

The article focuses on the U.S. Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) open season to be launched on November 10, 2008. Under the program, employees will be able select from 269 health plan options and create flexible spending accounts for pretax savings on expenditures for health and dependent care. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) said that the health premiums will increase by 7% on average in 2009. FEHBP plans will also offer cap on payments to people with severe medical conditions.

The article focuses on a proposal from the U.S. Defense Department to attach Tricare fees to the annual premiums paid by elderly Americans for Medicare Part B health coverage. It mentions that the proposal will double the premiums of retirees which are at $230 for an individual and $430 for a family. It adds that people in the top band are likely to experience an increase of over six times with their Tricare Prime premiums. It notes that the Congress needs to discuss and weigh the benefits of the proposal.

The article offers advice on participating in the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance in the U.S. It states that federal employees should assess their ability to qualify for long-term care insurance coverage. The author suggests considering the cost of insurance premiums. He recommends studying the federal program at the Web site www.ltcfeds.com and comparing the options available.

The author offers advice for U.S. federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Program (FEHBP) on enrolling in Medicare Part B. He notes that retiring employees who are eligible to Social Security benefit can enroll in Medicare Part A at no additional cost. He also cites the amount of monthly Part B premiums that the employees should pay based on their income levels. He says that the benefits obtained under Part B depend on the employees' health needs and their FEHBP plan coverage.

The author focuses on the rationale of doctor Gail Wilensky, co-chairwoman of the Task Force on the Future of Military Health Care of the U.S. Defense Department, for the proposed Tricare fee increases. The proposal concerns increases in enrollment fees, deductibles and pharmacy co-payments. He criticizes Wilensky's claim that the increase are intended to make the military heath plan and its associated costs more acceptable to the public. He adds that such comments are unconscionable and shortsighted.

The article provides information on several bills that may affect federal retirees in the U.S. The S 2003 introduced by Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine and HR 3579 introduced by Republican Representative Tom Davis of Virginia allow agencies to re-employ federal retirees. The HR 2780 introduced by Democrat Representative James Moran of Virginia amend the law to correct the annuity calculations of future retirees who work part time. The HR 1256 will increase the government's share in the health insurance premium costs from 72% to 80%.

The article focuses on a report released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) which states that National Guard and reserve members are overcharged for Tricare premiums. It cites that the military groups are demanding cuts in Tricare Reserve Select (TRS) fees and even refunds. Retired Navy Reserve Captain Marshall Hanson says that premiums should be lessened. According to GAO, the Department of Defense is charging too much because its cost estimates for providing benefits were nearly 11 times higher than its reported costs.

The article reports that U.S. National Guard and reserve members pay Tricare premiums too high for both single and family coverage, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). GAO conducted an investigation into the Defense Department's costs for providing health care under the Tricare Reserve Select (TRS) program, which have been far less than projected. One intent of the investigation is to reject a move by the Defense Department to seek a further increase in TRS premiums.

The article deals with the call from Asparity Decision Solutions president and chief operating officer Colleen Murphy for U.S. administrative agencies to promote the use of health insurance cost-comparison tools. Murphy claims that few employees take advantage of such tools even though they help save them hundreds of dollars in premiums and out-of-pocket costs a year. It is stated that less than ten percent used Asparity's tool called PlanSmartChoice in 2006.

The article reports on the introduction of a bill that would allow military retirees to pay their Tricare health insurance premiums with tax-free dollars in the U.S. Senate. The bill was introduced by Republican Senator John Warner of Virginia. A similar bill has also been introduced in the House of Representatives sponsored by Republican Representative Tom Davis of Virginia.

The article reports on the introduction of a bill that would allow the use of pretax dollars by U.S. military and federal civilian workers to pay for their Tricare health insurance premiums by a bipartisan group of senators led by Republican Senator John Warner of Virginia. The bill was referred to the Senate Finance Committee which has made similar proposals. The House Rule (HR) 1110 is also similar to Warner's bill.

The article reports on the move of some lawmakers to co-sponsor HR 1110 that would change U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules to allow federal and military retirees and active-duty troops to pay health insurance premiums with pretax dollars. The legislation was introduced by Republican Representative Tom Davis of Virginia on February 16, 2007.