Open Season News 
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Top News
- Contractors with security clearances lack path to report problems
- Proposed commission would give teeth to cost-saving ideas but some lawmakers skeptical
- Feds outside the Beltway react to furloughs
- Contracting executives guilty of 8(a) program fraud
- EPA CIO Jackson returning to private sector
- Navy strikes enterprise licensing deal with Oracle
- 29-year-old NASA engineer going where no one has gone before
- USPS reaches energy reduction goal ahead of schedule
- NOAA meteorologist helps save lives one storm at a time
- ICE Director John Morton stepping down
- NASA picks 8 new astronauts, 4 of them women
- House passes sweeping $638 billion defense bill
- NIH tops list of best companies for baby boomers
- Latest postal reform proposal OKs 5-day delivery
- IRS official contradicts claims about reviews
- House presses VA for more details after cyber attacks
- DoD maintains BRAC fight, despite opposition
What You Need to Know During Open Season
Walt Francis, editor of the Washington Consumers' Checkbook Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees, joins host Bill Bransford to talk about the FEHBP open season.
Open Season creates opportunities for tax savings
Ed Zurndorfer, a registered employees benefits consultant, recommends that feds consider possible tax deductions when choosing a health insurance plan. But hurry, open season ends Dec. 12.
Mixed-marriage money savers
If you are part of a couple that both works for the government, or if one of you is retired and one still working, does it matter who buys the health insurance? Short answer: Yes, it matters a lot, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Answers to your open season questions
Host Mike Causey is joined by Walton Francis, editor of the Washington Consumers Checkbook Guide to Federal Health Plans. They will talk about what to look for when choosing a health care plan.
November 30, 2011
Open Season explainer: The pitfall of two self-only health plans
Walton Francis is the editor of the Checkbook Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees.
Couples with healthy open marriages
Would you and your spouse benefit from having a healthy open marriage? Because you have two weeks to figure it out, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey.
Are you making a $14,000 mistake?
If you focus only on premiums next year, you could be making a $14,000 error when picking your 2012 health plan, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
FEHBP open season
Insurance expert Walton Francis talks about open season for federal employees as he joins hosts Bob Leins and John Elliot.
November 28, 2011
PMS season hits government
Be careful. Be very careful. The PMS season for government workers is about to spike, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says. And you know what that means.
FEHBP best buys, feds' future after supercommittee
Health insurance expert Walton Francis joins host Mike Causey on today's program. He will help you navigate the "best buys" for singles, couples, large families, retirees with and without Medicare, and people who are taking risks by using their private sector spouses health plan.
FEHBP + Medicare Part B can be 'political insurance'
Federal employees turning 65 might be wondering: Do I get Medicare Part B coverage in addition to my federal health plan?
FEHBP Best Buys
Over the next few days you should stuff yourself with good food and knowledge. You've got the eating part right and we can help with good ideas, especially while you are shopping for your 2012 health plan, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Long term care and health care for feds
Hosts Bob Leins and Tammy Flanagan is joined by Paul Forte and Beth O'Brien of the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program and Aetna's Sally Scanlan and Alexis Meier.
November 21, 2011
The lull before Thanksgiving
Most federal workers and retirees aren't going to spend a lot of time this week worrying about their 2012 health plan. But next week, after the guilt of Thankgiving, you should get serious about what could be the most important financial decision you will make this year, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Tips for choosing the right health plan during Open Season
Federal News Radio Senior Correspondent Mike Causey, Colleen Murphy, executive for PlanSmartChoice, and Walton Francis, editor of the Checkbook Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees discuss the 2011 Open Season.
Open Season explainer: Flexible spending vs. health savings account
Ed Zurndorfer, a registered employee benefit consultant, joined Federal Drive to talk about what to look for in health savings accounts and flexible spending.
When dull is good
If you are a long time federal or postal worker you may have noticed this is the dullest health insurance open season in decades. But Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says that's a good thing...
Dump day delayed?
Today, according to some folks, is Dump Day. It's the deadline for either calling it quits with your spouse, partner, betrothed or significant other or sticking with them at least until next year. Fortunately for feds, the D-day decision for your health plan is not until mid-December.
FEHBP open season
Host Mike Causey is joined by Walton Francis, author of "The Checkbook Guide to Health Plans," to talk about what's the best health plan for you and your family.
November 16, 2011
As open season kicks off, OPM uses Web to get word out
Shirley Patterson, the assistant director of federal employee insurance options at OPM, told the Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Amy Morris the agency turned to a new channel of communication to get the word out this year: webcasts.
