Dear AFSPA Member, 

February has arrived, bringing with it American Heart Month—a time to raise awareness about heart disease and its impact on our lives. Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, yet it is often preventable through healthy lifestyle choices and regular medical check-ups. As we celebrate love and kindness this month, let’s not forget to love and care for ourselves by making efforts to live healthier lives in order to feel better. 

American Heart Month 

I would like to invite you to participate in National Wear Red Day on February 7th by wearing red. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease. I encourage you to embrace a healthier lifestyle by avoiding smoking, managing your blood sugar and cholesterol levels, addressing high blood pressure, and incorporating regular exercise into your routine. 

You can learn more about heart-healthy programs offered by the Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP), which are specifically tailored for those at risk of heart disease. Remember, when you “Live Better, You Feel Better!” Let us all work towards our wellness goals this year. Additionally, FSBP members can earn rewards along the way! 

Mental Health Resources  

Living and feeling better is not limited to physical health. It includes our mental and emotional health. FSBP members of all ages have coverage for in-person and virtual treatment from in-network, out-of-network, and overseas providers. Members also can access care through our telehealth partners in the U.S. and overseas.  

Additional support programs are available to empower FSBP members to reduce stress, manage anxiety and depression, and more. Members can work with a coach or on their own to achieve their goals. You can learn more about our mental wellness programs here.

FSBP Tax Document and Member Satisfaction Survey 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 1095-B tax document will no longer be mailed to all FSBP members automatically. You can request a hard copy of this document via the AFSPA Member Portal. The 1095-B tax document is not required to file your tax return but should be kept in your 2024 tax file. If you have any questions about this form, please email enrollment@afspa.org. 

To ensure we are providing the best member experience, FSBP works with a National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) certified vendor to administer a Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) survey, an annual survey which is used for rating a patient’s health care experiences when navigating the healthcare system.  

If you receive the survey in the mail, it is very important that you fill it out and return it right away. When answering the questions, please think about your experience from a stateside perspective. The data collected will help us serve you better and help improve your overall experience when getting access to care.  

Lastly, you can continue to connect with us and learn more about our offerings through our blogs, podcast, social media platforms, and our events page on our website. Also, don’t forget to join our live Q&A sessions every last Thursday of the month as we answer your questions about our coverage and benefits. We hope that you will join us for AFSPA’s Annual Meeting on Friday, March 7.  

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. I want to remind you to prioritize your heart health by making healthy choices and scheduling regular check-ups. Let’s continue to focus on our well-being and make healthy choices together. 

To Living and Feeling Better, 

Kyle Longton, CAE, REBC

AFSPA, CEO