News Release

OPM Director James Alerts FEHB Plans to Check Accuracy of Web Site Information

Director Kay Coles James says Federal Employees count on accuracy

Washington, DC - The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Plans were alerted today of the need to ensure accuracy of information on their web site databases by OPM Director Kay Coles James.

"The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) annual open season is quickly approaching," James wrote. "Individuals currently enrolled in your plans as well as potential enrollees are beginning to research plans based on their health care needs and to make sure that their physician is a participating provider. This means they will be researching plan web sites, in particular on-line provider directories."

"I am proud of the fact that the nation's Federal employees are well educated health care consumers who are fully capable of making critical health care expenditure and coverage decisions for themselves and their families. While I appreciate the efforts of insurance carriers to get their information on-line, it is just as important that information be accurate," James commented. "Our federal employees are internet savvy, and are using the web access more and more to obtain their insurance information, so it is vitally important that the carriers are continually monitoring and up-dating their on-line information."

James also pointed out that if enrollees have relied on inaccurate information on a carrier's web site, OPM will generally find in favor of the enrollee in disputes with the carrier. "Enrollees depend on the accuracy of the provider information contained in web site databases to find a qualified physician and maximize their benefits," James wrote.

Recent issues have been identified during a review of web sites of four large health insurance insurers that serve the Washington, DC region. These inaccuracies include wrong phone numbers and addresses and doctors who are deceased, who closed their practices more than two years ago or whose licenses have been suspended.

OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also 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.

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