Vision, Dental Benefits Issue Arises

The House civil service subcommittee has held a hearing aimed at finding ways to improve dental and vision care under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. One approach being considered (HR-3751) would be to order the Office of Personnel Management to produce a report on whether the government could offer such benefits. While enrollees likely would have to pay the full cost, the idea is that by aggregating buying power, the government could command lower rates-much the same approach that was used in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program. Currently, FEHB carriers offer varying levels of benefits and many employee organizations offer such benefits as supplemental plans. Their interests likely will play a large role in any consideration of creating government-wide offerings. OPM has not taken a position on the measure.