How does the Federal Employees Benefit coverage really work? Do the taxpayers really pay for

[secondwind]

healthcare benefits for our Senators and Representatives, etc.?

[havocmom]

1. Taxpayers pay about the same way consumers pay when employees get group insurance

It is part of compensation for the work employees do. My congress critter has the same sort of insurance my federal agency employed husband has: Employer pays part, employee pays part.

How that is any different from the deal employees with group insurance have is beyond me, save the insurance companies with contracts to cover federal employees can't pull the pre-existing condition card. I believe that others will be protected from that crap soon, won't they?

Congress critters do not get all the free care they can get at taxpayer expense. They probably have an easier time getting doctors' appointments and they probably get a bit more time from doctors, but it's just a group policy.

[Romulox]

7. Never heard of somebody working for 2-6 years and getting free healthcare for life

in the private sector. :hi:

[havocmom]

12. Got yer facts wrong. It is insurance, of the group policy type

It is not all paid for by employer. It is NOT free. It is a group insurance policy. Why push Glen Beck talking points here?

[Butch350]

16. I am a Federal Emplyee...

IT'S NOT FREE! PERIOD! Every two weeks a substantial amount of money is withheld from my pay. I will still be paying
when I retire this december after 40 years. I'm pretty dam sure that if I develop any serious health issues, they'll
drop me like a hot pot handle, even after paying into it for 40 years.

It ain't free. No way. No how. Correct your data base, please.

[peggygirl]

17. Except, your salary was paid by public taxes. nt

[harkadog]

2. Short answer is yes

They get the best health care in the country. Members of Congress have their own pharmacy, right in the Capitol. They also have a team of doctors, technicians and nurses standing by in case something busts in a filibuster. They can get a physical exam, an X-ray or an electrocardiogram, without leaving work.

[CreekDog]

15. they pay 28% of the cost of their health insurance

the government pays 72%.

the most subscribed to plan among Feds is Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO which costs about $5500/year total for coverage of a single person.

copays are $20 for general practitioner; $35 for specialist

[phleshdef]

3. Federal employee wages and benefits ultimately is tax payer funded, so yes.

[housewolf]

4. Of course - we're their employer

We're their employer, so we pay in two way... we pay the employer costs, and whatever they spend from their own pocket that came from their paycheck.

[CountAllVotes]

5. if employed by the Federal government ...

You are given a list of insurances to pick from. Each one has a cost that is deducted from your paycheck.

I worked for the Federal government for several years so I know.

IT IS NOT FREE, the employee pays for a portion of it just like any other company that offers insurance to their employees does.

The more you pay, the better the insurance you get. The cheaper the policy, the crappier the coverage.

:kick:

[MiniMe]

6. They do have a co-pay, as do all federal employees

But the taxpayers fund most of it since the federal budget comes from our taxes.

[Romulox]

8. Of course they do. nt

[MikeE]

9. Here's information for regular Federal employees

http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/

[Bitwit1234]

10. We pay their salary and it comes out of our tax money SO

their Health Care is paid for by us the people of this country. Even those who can't afford Health Care for themselves but still have to pay taxes. I agree with Durbin. All the tea bags and the republican members of congress who don't want Health Care for everyone in this country, should have their's taken away.

[Cleita]

11. There was a post here yesterday from a federal employee who stated

that the govt. pays an average of two-thirds depending on the plan and the employee picks up the rest. But as someone pointed out, the taxpayers pick up the payroll expense so really we pay for all of it.

[havocmom]

13. just like you pay for auto workers' insurance too, as part of the price of cars

It is part of the compensation for doing the work. Why so much DU focus on federal group insurance policies but no wondering about who ultimately pays for employees' group insurance in the private sector?

It is part of the pay check: Work here and get wages + benefits.

[handmade34]

14. yes

Congressional members contribute, but most is paid as part of their wages ...and all of that comes out of taxpayers money. YES. I pay for John Boehner to have health care and Mitch McConnell and every other republican that doesn't want me to have health care coverage (and I have none presently)