Enrollees with self-only coverage will pay, on average, $4.83 more each pay period (about $125 per year) next year. Family coverage will cost an average $11.12 more per pay period. FEHB enrollees pay – on average – 30 percent of the total cost of a plan’s premium, while the government pays 70 percent. This year’s Open Season begins November 10 and runs through December 8, 2008, giving employees the opportunity to change or add to their portfolio of health- and family-care insurance products.
The Washington Post, Govexec.com, and the Federal Times promptly published articles on the news conference.The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and United Healthcare issued their own press releases about 2009 premiums and benefits. More details to follow over the week.On related note, the Kaiser Health Care Policy Report featured a long post on rising premiums nationwide.