Other 2005 FEHB Highlights

The call letter also addressed several other coverage issues for the 2005 FEHB plan year, including greater oversight of “pharmacy benefit manager” arrangements that many carriers use to obtain drug price discounts. OPM noted that it has proposed regulations pending that would subject such arrangements to greater auditing and said it expects to publish the final rules later this year. OPM also said it is exploring additional measures including requiring carriers to provide for more transparency in their PBM contracts and to obtain expert reviews of those contracts. OPM further encouraged carriers to continue an emphasis on care management for enrollees with chronic conditions and to report to OPM on the approaches being used and the results to date. OPM also asked carriers for an update on their patient safety initiatives.