Many FEHB, FEDVIP and Medicare Advantage plans offered by FEHB carriers include supplemental benefits that can help lower your out‑of‑pocket healthcare costs. However, many federal employees and annuitants fail to utilize these benefits, either due to a lack of awareness or because they have not completed the required registration process.

By taking a few minutes to review your plan’s perks, you may uncover valuable opportunities to save money. Here are some examples available in the Washington, D.C., area:

Wellness incentives

Many FEHB plans offer yearly financial rewards for completing common wellness activities like online health assessments, annual physicals, biometric screenings, flu vaccinations, et cetera. These incentives are often provided through a wellness card that works similarly to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) card and can be used to pay for eligible out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Depending on the plan, rewards may instead be applied directly toward the deductible or deposited into your Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA). In most cases, both the primary enrollee and a covered spouse can earn these rewards, doubling the potential savings for your household.

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Aetna Healthfund CDHP: $50 online wellness program, $50 biometric screening.
Aetna Healthfund HDHP: $75 self-only, $150 self-plus-one or self-&-family, by completing the health risk assessment, biometric screening, and one wellness program.
Aetna Value: Up to $250 self-only, $500 self-plus-one or self-&-family, earned through routine physicals, flu shots and biometric screenings.
BCBS Basic & Standard: $50 for completing a health assessment and up to an additional $120 for completing certain daily habit goals.
CareFirst: $100 for selecting a primary care physician and completing a health screening, $50 for completing a health assessment and receiving wellness communications, and up to an additional $200 for completing three health coaching sessions.
Compass Rose High: Up to $350 for the completion of an online health assessment, annual preventive exam, biometric screening, flu vaccination and more.
Foreign Service Benefit Plan: Up to $400 for completing a health risk assessment, routine physical, biometric screening, digital coaching programs, preventive screenings, vaccinations, chronic condition management and physical activity goals.
GEHA: Up to $250 for completing a health assessment, preventive care screenings, annual physical, and health and wellness webinars.
Kaiser Permanente: $150 for completing total health assessment and biometric screenings.
MHBP: Standard members can earn up to $350 and Value members up to $300 for completing biometric screenings, health risk assessments, maternal wellness programs and chronic condition programs.
SAMBA: $25 for completing a health risk assessment.
UnitedHealthcare: Up to $300 by tracking your sleep and physical activity, getting an annual checkup and more.

Discounted or free gym memberships

Several FEHB plans offer access to discounted gym memberships with nationwide fitness networks, including those offered by Aetna, BCBS, CareFirst, Compass Rose, GEHA, SAMBA and UnitedHealthcare. Kaiser Permanente provides free gym access through Open Pass Select, while Prosper plan members can receive up to $500 in reimbursement to use at the gym of their choice.

Other discounts

Beyond fitness benefits, many plans also offer a wide range of additional discounts. These may include savings on eyewear and LASIK procedures, massage therapy, acupuncture, vitamins and nutritional supplements, weight management programs, prescription medications, hearing aids, travel and entertainment options.

FEHB plans offered by APWU, Foreign Service Benefit Plan, GEHA, MHBP and SAMBA have discounted dental insurance plans that require plan members to pay a separate premium. When considering these options against FEDVIP, make sure to research if your current dentist(s) are in network to maximize savings.

Smart Shopper Program

CareFirst offers an innovative benefit called the Smart Shopper Program, which is available in their three D.C.-area plans: BlueChoice HDHP, BlueChoice Value Plus and BlueChoice Standard.

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Members who are not enrolled in Medicare and need a specific treatment or procedure can use a digital tool on the CareFirst website to compare providers and facilities based on cost. When they choose a cheaper option, they receive a financial reward loaded onto a medical expense debit card, which can be used for qualified out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.

HDHP members who make voluntary HSA contributions must first satisfy the IRS minimum deductible before they are allowed to use funds for medical or prescription expenses, but they can immediately use the debit card for dental and vision expenses.

FEDVIP supplemental benefits

Most FEDVIP plans also offer some supplemental benefits, like discounts on LASIK eye surgery. BCBS FEP Dental & Vision and VSP plans also offer travel and entertainment discounts. MetLife plans provide plan members with free identity and fraud protection and discounted pet insurance and legal plans. Aetna plans have discounts on hearing aids and exams, gym memberships, fitness gear, nutrition products and more. Humana and United Concordia plans offer electric toothbrush discounts.

Supplemental benefits from Medicare Advantage plans

Most Medicare Advantage (MA) plans offered by FEHB carriers include supplemental benefits like those found in regular FEHB plans, including some form of dental, vision and hearing aid coverage. However, it’s important to note that these benefits generally require you to use specific providers, and the coverage may be limited to preventive services rather than offering comprehensive care.

Most MA plans also have a unique perk: over-the-counter financial rewards. They’re paid every quarter and can be used to purchase many pharmacy products. What you receive varies by plan; here’s a summary of quarterly amounts for D.C.-area MA plans:

Aetna Advantage: $30
APWU High: $60
Compass Rose High: $40
Foreign Service Benefit Plan: $30
GEHA High/Standard: $40
Kaiser High Option 1: $50
MHBP Standard: $30
MDIPA: $40
SAMBA High/Standard: $40
UnitedHealthcare Choice plans: $40

Where can you learn more about these benefits?

Review the plan brochure or visit the carrier’s website for benefits, coverage details, limits, exclusions, and more. In FEHB plan brochures, supplemental benefits are typically listed in Section 5(g), Wellness and Other Special Features, or in the section immediately following Non-FEHB Benefits Available to Plan Members.

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FEDVIP supplemental benefits are explained in each FEDVIP plan brochure or on the carrier’s website. For MA plans, supplemental benefit information is available in the plan’s Summary of Benefits or on the carrier’s website.

In summary

It’s not possible to list every supplemental benefit offered by all FEHB plans. I’ve pulled out examples of the types of benefits offered by some to give you a sense of the offerings. With what seems like continued increases in the cost of healthcare, supplemental benefits offered by your FEHB plan could be an untapped source for savings. Make sure to check the official brochure and carrier website of your current plan to see what’s offered and also make sure to complete the program registration requirements to start receiving rewards.

I encourage you to send in your FEHB questions, and I look forward to answering them with advice to help you save money or better understand how FEHB works.

Kevin Moss is a senior editor with the Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees provided by Consumers’ Checkbook. Watch more of his free advice and check here if the Guide is available for free from your agency. You can also purchase the Guide and save 20% with promo code FEDNEWS.

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