The Mid-Atlantic region, housing our nation’s capital, is where a large concentration of federal enrollees live. We have a significant opportunity to grow in the Washington, DC, northern Virginia, and, Baltimore, MD areas. For many years, we have offered 2 options: the High Option and the Standard Option. Both are affordable options, with relatively low premiums and cost-sharing. As an FYI for all member-facing employees, in 2018, we will add a new option with the lowest member premium contribution. This new option is called the Basic Option, and is the first option we offer that has a deductible. The deductible is only $100, and the Basic Option includes many great benefits. For example, through our Rewards program, a member who completes a Total Health Assessment and is up-to-date on their biometrics will receive a $375 Kaiser Permanente Health Payment Card that they can use to pay cost-sharing, including the $100 deductible, and other medical expenses, such as a new pair of prescription eyeglasses.
Basic Option members will receive up to a $125 fitness program reimbursement, which we call “Healthy Returns”. Just as with the Standard Option, Basic Option members pay $0 for primary care visits for children through age 17. Finally, members in all options – High, Standard, or Basic – can receive $100 in discounts for a meal service called, “Terra’s Kitchen”. Federal retirees may also take advantage of a Basic Option plan when they elect to enroll in Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare Cost plan. The Medicare Basic Option carries no deductible and members can participate in the Reward program as well as the “Healthy Returns” fitness reimbursement program.
The Federal Employee open enrollment starts November 13, 2017 and extends through December 11, 2017.
If internal Kaiser Permanente employees have questions about the new Basic Option, contact Tiffinnie Severin via Tiffinnie.M.Severin@kp.org, or for Medicare questions, Lena Hershkovitz via Lena.B.Hershkovitz@kp.org.
As always, Members may also be referred to the Member Services Call Center: (800) 777.7902
