With today's episode, we address the most frequently asked questions on open season. A panel of AFSPA experts joins to provide answers and clarity on changes for 2024.  For more information on open season, please visit www.afspa.org/openseason To contact the infertility prior approval line, call 1-800-593-2354. To contact the Plan's fertility advocate, call 1-833-415-1709. For more information about the FSBP Express Scripts Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, visit www.afspa.org/pdp. You will find the form there to opt out. For more on our direct billing partners, visit https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/overseas/overseas-partners/. For more information on dental, life, and disability insurance programs offered by AFSPA, visit www.afspa.org/aip.

Today, Kyle and Maddie discuss the 2024 open season with a particular focus on the improvements under FSBP. In particular, their discussion focuses on: Increases in the allowance for alternative benefits: massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic services; Expansion in the coverage of infertility services; and The new Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) Don't miss other upcoming open-season events. Find all of our events at www.afspa.org/events.  We couldn't fit all the information into the podcast, so here are some links with more information: AFSPA/FSBP Open Season information: www.afspa.org/openseason FSBP-Express Scripts Prescription Drug Plan (PDP): www.afspa.org/pdp Prior approval line for Comprehensive Infertility and ART: 800-593-2354 Fertility Advocate: 833-415-1709 Gender Affirming Surgical prior approval: 800-593-2354

There are an increasing number of diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in both children and adults. Despite the prevalence of this diagnosis, many do not understand this condition. Today, we welcome a health coach from Brightline Health who will walk through the basics of ADHD including behaviors, symptoms and treatments. Our guest discusses the support offered by Brightline Health, an in-network, stateside provider for Foreign Service Benefit Plan members. Learn more and sign up for Brightline at www.hellobrightline.com/fsbpCheck out our latest blog about ADHD at afspa.org/blogs.Find information about FSBP changes for 2024 and events around open season at www.afspa.org/openseasonOur full events calendar is available at www.afspa.org/events.

Beginning in January 2024, many Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) plans will be offering a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) to their members. The Foreign Service Benefit Plan will be among them. This program will result in savings for our members aged 65 and older. Join us for a detailed discussion of PDPs generally and the specifics of the FSBP PDP. Mark your calendars for two upcoming discussions of the FSBP PDP: October 31, at 12 noon ET - We will offer a live webinar with an overview of the PDP and a chance for you to ask your questions. November 30 at 11 am ET - Our monthly AFSPA Talks program will focus on the PDP and offer another opportunity for you to get answers about this program. You can learn more at www.afspa.org/fsbp/pdp. If you have questions about the benefits under the PDP, please contact the dedicated Express Scripts line at 855-690-8353, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information on Medicare Part D premiums, please visit https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/costs-for-medicare-drug-coverage/monthly-premium-for-drug-plans. Please see the 2024 chart at the bottom of the page (based on 2022 income).

In 2021, we offered an episode diving into the various options that are available for long-term care insurance. Shortly after we aired that program, the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIS or LTCFEDS) stopped accepting new applications and enrollments and changes to existing enrollments, and the stoppage is expected to last through at least December 2024. At the same time, the program is going through a contract renewal which is resulting in premium increases for many enrollees. This week, we welcome back Federal retiree and benefits expert Tammy Flanagan of Retire Federal. She breaks down the basics of LTC insurance, how the Federal program works, what these rate increases may mean, and the options LTCFEDS enrollees have as these changes occur. Don't miss this informative episode on a widely used Federal program. Links: Retire Federal - https://www.retirefederal.com/Tammy's previous episode on Federal Retirement Planning - https://afspatalks.buzzsprout.com/1756283/11388923-afspa-talks-federal-retirement-planningAFSPA Talks Long Term Care Insurance episode - https://afspatalks.buzzsprout.com/1756283/9592735-afspa-talks-long-term-careTammy's podcast "Plan Your Federal Retirement" - https://plan-your-federal-retirement.com/podcasts/

Today, AFSPA welcomes Dr. Kandis Daroski, PT, DPT, to our show to discuss a new offering from Hinge Health: their Women's Pelvic Health program. Dr. Kandis talks through common pelvic floor issues and how they manifest themselves and how they are typically treated (or more commonly not). She then talks through the innovative solution offered for treating pelvic floor disorders - remote exercise and physical therapy from Hinge Health. This program is available to FSBP members beginning October 1, 2023. Visit https://hinge.health/fsbp-podcast to learn more about all the programs from Hinge Health.Find more information about how meditation can help with pelvic health: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/pain-and-the-whole-body/202309/how-meditation-can-support-pelvic-healthRegister for a Hinge Health webinar to learn more: https://hingehealth.zoom.us/webinar/register/7616960129707/WN_nNXZdYArRpu56qeUXqkmzA Did you know that many women experience symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) for years without realizing it? Join Dr. Kandis Daroski and Dr. Bijal Toprani, two pelvic health experts from Hinge Health, for an insightful discussion about pelvic health and how to care for it.Please note: This webinar is designed for those with female vaginal anatomy and is hosted by Hinge Health, a covered insurance benefit that employees on certain healthcare plans have access to. Please confirm with your employer if you qualify for Hinge Health.

For many of us, the end of August means a return to school. That transition can come with a number of changes and challenges. Today, we explore some of the mental health challenges that may arise and how parents can promote mental wellness for their kids of all ages. Jodi Harris, LCSW, of Active and Connected Family Therapy brings her unique experience as both a mental health professional working with Foreign Service families and an EFM herself to the discussion. Jodi also will be our guest on AFSPA Live at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, August 31. Join us on YouTube, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Resources discussed on today's show: Good Inside by Becky Kennedy: https://www.goodinside.com/book/The Whole Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.: https://drdansiegel.com/book/the-whole-brain-child/Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds by David C. Pollock and Ruth Van Reken: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/121920.Third_Culture_KidsForeign Service Youth Foundation: https://www.fsyf.org/Active & Connected Families Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-connected-families/id1547081877Families in Global Transition: https://www.figt.org/

Skin cancer is the most common cancer and 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime. As we spend more time in the sun due to summertime, it is important to know the different types of skin cancer, how to prevent it, and what treatments are available. To help us understand more about skin cancer, we have Leah B. Jacobson, Sr. Medical Director at Aetna joining us.Links discussed in today's episode:UV Awareness blog: https://www.afspa.org/blog/unveiling-the-dangers-of-uv-rays/Everybody Deserves a Massage blog: https://www.afspa.org/blog/get-a-massage-on-us-you-deserve-it/Teladoc: https://teladoc.com/If you haven't already, make sure you have completed the Foreign Service Benefit Plan Member Satisfaction survey! You can find the survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/mm30TVftrN

It's summer, and for many of us, that means some travel. These days, travel is rarely without some interruption or challenge, and there's help available when the unexpected becomes inevitable. AFSPA's Sr. Director for Ancillary Insurance Programs Adrienne Seabrooks joins us to help demystify travel insurance and tell us what to look for when considering policies.This month, AFSPA wants to see your best vacation or travel photos. The photos don't have to be from 2023, and they don't have to include you (but we encourage it). Ten people will be selected to win a FREE AFSPA Surprise Pack. There are two ways to enter:Tag @afspacares on Facebook or Instagram in your favorite vacation or travel photos. Make sure to include the hashtag "#AFSPATravelAdventure" to have your photo considered. Email your photos to outreach@afspa.org. The deadline for submissions is Monday, July 24, 2023, at 11:59 pm EST. We will select the winners in the first week of August and notify them by email. Links discussed in today's episode:AFSPA's travel insurance plans: www.afspa.org/travelCDC Traveler's Health site: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travelState's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): https://step.state.gov/

This episode has been in the works for more than a month. April was Autism Awareness Month. Approximately 1 in 36 people are diagnosed with autism, but many of us understand little about the diagnosis. Today, Heather Buzbee of Brightline Health joins us to share her experience as a practitioner and a parent and help us understand this condition. In this interview, we learn about diagnoses, the uniqueness of each person diagnosed with autism, prevalent struggles faced by people with autism, and more. PLEASE NOTE: There is a brief discussion of mental illness and suicidality in this episode. Learn more about Brightline Health at www.hellobrightline.com/fsbpFor support with autism and other needs, contact the FSBP Care Management Team at 1-800-593-2354. #autism #autismawareness

This week, we bring you an overview of health topics for the month of May: Mental Health Awareness Month, Blood Pressure Awareness Month, Better Speech and Hearing Month, and Women’s Health Week. There are a number of programs mentioned in this episode, and here are links to those: AFSPA’s events calendar: www.afspa.org/eventsAFSPA’s blog: www.afspa.org/blogsmyStrength: www.mystrength.com – access code FSBPAbleTo: www.AbleTo.comBrightline: www.hellobrightline.com/FSBPTeladoc (U.S.): www.teladoc.com/AetnavHealth (overseas): www.vhealth-teladochealth.com/enTruman Group: https://trumangroup.com/Livongo: http://get.livongo.com/FSBPLifestyle and Condition Coaching Program: www.myactivehealth.com/FSBPHearing Aid Discount Program: www.afspa.org/aip - Discount Care Programs

A recent WHO study concluded that 1 in 6 adults around the world experiences infertility in their lifetime. Procedures for diagnosing and treating infertility have come a long way in recent decades, and health insurance coverage around these procedures continues to evolve. In 2023, the Foreign Service Benefit Plan ( FSBP) offered coverage of assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures for the first time.In this episode, we share with you again an interview with Dr. Jordan Pritzker on the topics of infertility and treatment initially shared in December 2022. FSBP Prior approval for ART procedures - 800-923-2220FSBP Fertility Advocate - 833-415-1709Institutes of Excellence (IOE) Infertility Providers - www.aetnainfertilitycare.com

Today, we bring you something a bit different than our typical episode. It was just over three years ago, in March 2020, when COVID-19 profoundly changed life for most of us. The last three years had profound effects on healthcare around the world - how it's delivered, how data is used, and how we approach issues at a population level. Dr. Timothy Foggin of Teladoc Health Canada brings his experience and expertise in family medicine, population health, and international healthcare management to this topic. The discussion covers issues of population health, pandemic preparation, telehealth, and the future of care delivery.

This week we shift our focus from FSBP to everything else AFSPA does. Sr. Dir. of Ancillary Insurance Programs Adrienne Coleman-Seabrooks provides an overview of our other offerings, from insurance to professional services. Listen for a special announcement about our Group Enhanced Life (GEL) program. For more information about AIP offerings, visit AFSPA.org/AIP.

This week, we have an episode that may be of particular interest to the 1,700+ new enrollees who joined FSBP during open season: an overview of the Plan and how it works. We also included a bit about the changes for 2023 for long-time members. Learn more about some of the features mentioned in this episode:Changes for 2023: https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/new-for-2023/FSBP Wellness Programs: https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/wellness-programs/FSBP Prescription Drugs Coverage: https://www.afspa.org/prescriptions/FSBP Overseas Care: https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/overseas/Contact a nurse care manager at 800-593-2354

Recent changes in access to military treatment facilities (MTFs) have had an outsize effect on DoD civilians in Japan. This episode reviews coverage and programs available to members in Japan - and in many cases around the world - and how to access these benefits. For more information about vHealth, please visit https://vhealth-teladochealth.com/en. For more information about Livongo chronic condition support, visit get.livongo.com/FSBP For a list of our overseas direct billing partners, visit https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/overseas/.

Happy New Year! In our first AFSPA Talks episode of 2023, AFSPA COO and host,  Kyle Longton, discusses some common New Year's resolutions and the programs AFSPA offers to help you keep them. You can find a full outline of the Foreign Service Benefit Plan wellness programs at https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/wellness-programs/. For more information on the Financial Wellness Program, click here.

Happy New Year! AFSPA Talks is taking a quick break on doing a full episode this week, but we’ll be back in two weeks with a full episode airing on Monday, Jan 23rd where we’ll be talking about the post-holiday blues and the wellness programs we offer to help Foreign Service Benefit Plan members and their dependents. This includes programs like our digital coaching and our Lifestyle and Condition Coaching Program, so stay tuned!Don’t forget to join us for our AFSPA Live broadcast on our YouTube channel @afspacareson Thursday, Jan 26that 11:00am ET where we will be answering your questions about the new FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan which we started offering this year

The holidays are upon us, and they bring with them tasty treats and stress. Managing our health this time of year can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. To provide some ways to be kind to ourselves while remaining healthy this holiday season, we welcome Grace Silverio, BSN, CDCES, RN, MSN, Director of Solution Strategy for Teladoc Health and a subject matter expert for chronic conditions. For more information on Livongo chronic condition solutions, visit https://www.get.livongo.com/fsbp For more on the wellness programs available to FSBP members, visit https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/wellness-programs/.

With only one week left of open season, host Kyle Longton turns to some of his colleagues for help answering your most frequent questions. We touch on general information about FEHB, FEDVIP, and FSAFEDS before digging into FSBP wellness incentives and ending with a lightening round on the FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Program. Some of the websites discussed in this episode include:FEDVIP information: www.benefeds.com FSAFEDS: www.fsafeds.com FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan: www.fsbphealth.com/retiree FSBP Open Season Information: www.afspa.org/openseasonAFSPA Open Season Webinars: www.afspa.org/events