Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in an expanding effort to educate employees on Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Programs, sponsored a half-day "user education" service event at OPM. Representatives from nearly a dozen FEHB providers were on hand to answer employee questions and concerns regarding their current coverage.

OPM Director Kay Coles James, whose agency administers the FEHB Program for approximately eight million federal employees, retirees and dependents, said "The Federal government offers its employees and retirees greater choice than any employer nation-wide." She added that "education is a necessary and key component of choice, as it enables consumers - Federal employees -- to make the best selections given their needs."

Over the past several years, Director James has strongly advocated cutting-edge health care initiatives, including Flexible Spending Accounts, designed to keep the FEHB Program affordable, yet maintain its status as a cutting-edge provider of health-care services.

"The FEHB program's ability to offer affordable health care is steeped in its ability to be innovative and to create market-based competition, as well as offer consumers a variety of health-care options." James said.

During this year's FEHB Service event, OPM employees' questions and concerns were addressed on billing, deductibles, coverage and long term care or any other issue of their choosing. Additionally, employees could compare one health care provider program against the next.

In attendance at this year's OPM FEHB Service day were representatives from American Postal Workers Union, AETNA, CareFirst BlueChoice, Blue Cross & Blue Shield, GEHA Benefit, Kaiser Permanente, Mail Handlers Health Benefit Program, M.D.IPA, NALC Health Benefit, FSAFEDS and Long Term Care Partners.

The FEHB Program began providing benefits in 1961.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.