Dear AFSPA Member,
As Open Season comes to a close, you have just one week left to make sure your 2025 health plan meets your family’s needs for the upcoming year. It is important not to wait until the last minute to make any necessary updates. If you are an active-duty employee and decide to switch health plans, your new benefits will begin on January 12, 2025. For retirees and annuitants, however, your 2025 plan benefits will start on January 1, 2025. Be sure to review your options before the deadline! If you are currently enrolled in the Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP) and are satisfied with your coverage, no action is needed—your coverage will automatically renew each year.
Open Season Webinars
Open Season ends on Monday, December 9. You have a few more days to review your options and make changes to your Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) Program enrollment, your Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) enrollment, and your Federal Flexible Spending Account (FSAFEDS) enrollment. Whether you are enrolled in FSBP or another federal health plan, we want you to make informed decisions for you and your family. Visit afspa.org/events to register for our remaining Open Season webinars (12/2, 12/3, and 12/6) and live chat (12/3). To view FSBP’s 2025 benefit enhancements and updates, visit afspa.org/openseason.
Important Update on Cigna Disability Plans Offered by AFSPA
I regret to inform you that our Cigna Disability plans will be closing effective January 1, 2025. Cigna Global has notified us at AFSPA that they will not be able to renew our group disability policies for the upcoming plan year. The Delaware American Life (DelAm) company that reinsures and underwrites all Cigna Global disability insurance plans has also communicated that they can no longer file or underwrite life or disability policies for Association groups across all U.S. states as of January 1, 2025. Despite Cigna’s dedicated efforts to find a new underwriter, they could not secure one. Consequently, Cigna Global and AFSPA will not be able to renew the disability policy for current members for the 2025 plan year.
Please rest assured that we are actively exploring alternative disability insurance options that we hope to make available to you soon. Your well-being is our priority, and we are committed to providing you with the best possible resources. For more information, please click here.
Newly Improved AFSPA Member Portal
Have you tried our newly improved AFSPA Member Portal? Our portal is easy to use and will work on both desktop and mobile devices to submit your claims. Your existing login information will allow you to access the AFSPA Member Portal without any new or additional registration. The new portal offers a more modern interface and allows you to:
You can access the Member Portal at myafspa.org. To help you navigate the new portal, we have provided a helpful demo video to assist you. We are continuously working to improve our services, so if you have any feedback about the new Member Portal, please feel free to share it with us here.
Experiencing Holiday Stress?
The holiday season and the start of the new year can be exciting. It offers an opportunity to spend quality time with family, take a few days off from work, or enjoy a winter getaway. However, while the seasonal activities and celebrations are enjoyable, they can also be quite stressful. For many of us, the combined demands of gift shopping, attending social events, and hosting guests can become overwhelming.
Amidst taking care of everyone else, it is important to remember to take some time for yourself. FSBP continues to provide mental health benefits, digital support programs, and educational resources that can help alleviate the pressures of the holidays. I encourage you to visit our website to explore our various wellness programs designed to assist with emotional concerns, stress, anxiety, and more. Additionally, FSBP offers telehealth services for members in the U.S. and overseas, allowing you to speak with a therapist via phone or video.
Please continue to connect with us to learn more about how you can maximize your benefits and coverage through our weekly blogs, podcasts, social media platforms, and free educational webinars. You can also read past issues of our newsletters on our website, which consist of Plan updates and other important health topics and information.
As this year comes to an end, I want to thank you for your continued loyalty. We look forward to serving you in 2025 and wish you and your loved ones a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season!
To Choosing Your Health,
Kyle Longton, CAE, REBC
AFSPA, CEO
Headquarters:
1620 L Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20036-5629
Copyright © 2023 All Rights Reserved by AFSPA.
