AFSPA Talks

In 2021, we offered an episode diving into the various options that are available for long-term care insurance. Shortly after we aired that program, the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIS or LTCFEDS) stopped accepting new applications and enrollments and changes to existing enrollments, and the stoppage is expected to last through at least December 2024. At the same time, the program is going through a contract renewal which is resulting in premium increases for many enrollees. 

This week, we welcome back Federal retiree and benefits expert Tammy Flanagan of Retire Federal. She breaks down the basics of LTC insurance, how the Federal program works, what these rate increases may mean, and the options LTCFEDS enrollees have as these changes occur. Don't miss this informative episode on a widely used Federal program. 

Links: 

Retire Federal - https://www.retirefederal.com/

Tammy's previous episode on Federal Retirement Planning - https://afspatalks.buzzsprout.com/1756283/11388923-afspa-talks-federal-retirement-planning

AFSPA Talks Long Term Care Insurance episode - https://afspatalks.buzzsprout.com/1756283/9592735-afspa-talks-long-term-care

Tammy's podcast "Plan Your Federal Retirement" - https://plan-your-federal-retirement.com/podcasts/

Today, AFSPA welcomes Dr. Kandis Daroski, PT, DPT, to our show to discuss a new offering from Hinge Health: their Women's Pelvic Health program. Dr. Kandis talks through common pelvic floor issues and how they manifest themselves and how they are typically treated (or more commonly not). She then talks through the innovative solution offered for treating pelvic floor disorders - remote exercise and physical therapy from Hinge Health. This program is available to FSBP members beginning October 1, 2023. 

Visit https://hinge.health/fsbp-podcast to learn more about all the programs from Hinge Health.

Find more information about how meditation can help with pelvic health: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/pain-and-the-whole-body/202309/how-meditation-can-support-pelvic-health

Register for a Hinge Health webinar to learn more: https://hingehealth.zoom.us/webinar/register/7616960129707/WN_nNXZdYArRpu56qeUXqkmzA 
Did you know that many women experience symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) for years without realizing it? Join Dr. Kandis Daroski and Dr. Bijal Toprani, two pelvic health experts from Hinge Health, for an insightful discussion about pelvic health and how to care for it.

Please note: This webinar is designed for those with female vaginal anatomy and is hosted by Hinge Health, a covered insurance benefit that employees on certain healthcare plans have access to. Please confirm with your employer if you qualify for Hinge Health.

For many of us, the end of August means a return to school. That transition can come with a number of changes and challenges. Today, we explore some of the mental health challenges that may arise and how parents can promote mental wellness for their kids of all ages. Jodi Harris, LCSW, of Active and Connected Family Therapy brings her unique experience as both a mental health professional working with Foreign Service families and an EFM herself to the discussion. 

Jodi also will be our guest on AFSPA Live at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, August 31. Join us on YouTube, Facebook, or LinkedIn. 

Resources discussed on today's show: 

Good Inside by Becky Kennedy: https://www.goodinside.com/book/

The Whole Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.: https://drdansiegel.com/book/the-whole-brain-child/

Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds by David C. Pollock and Ruth Van Reken: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/121920.Third_Culture_Kids

Foreign Service Youth Foundation: https://www.fsyf.org/

Active & Connected Families Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-connected-families/id1547081877

Families in Global Transition: https://www.figt.org/

Skin cancer is the most common cancer and 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime. As we spend more time in the sun due to summertime, it is important to know the different types of skin cancer, how to prevent it, and what treatments are available. To help us understand more about skin cancer, we have Leah B. Jacobson, Sr. Medical Director at Aetna joining us.

Links discussed in today's episode:
UV Awareness blog: https://www.afspa.org/blog/unveiling-the-dangers-of-uv-rays/
Everybody Deserves a Massage blog: https://www.afspa.org/blog/get-a-massage-on-us-you-deserve-it/
Teladoc: https://teladoc.com/

If you haven't already, make sure you have completed the Foreign Service Benefit Plan Member Satisfaction survey! You can find the survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/mm30TVftrN

It's summer, and for many of us, that means some travel. These days, travel is rarely without some interruption or challenge, and there's help available when the unexpected becomes inevitable. AFSPA's Sr. Director for Ancillary Insurance Programs Adrienne Seabrooks joins us to help demystify travel insurance and tell us what to look for when considering policies.

This month, AFSPA wants to see your best vacation or travel photos. The photos don't have to be from 2023, and they don't have to include you (but we encourage it). Ten people will be selected to win a FREE AFSPA Surprise Pack. There are two ways to enter:

1. Tag @afspacares on Facebook or Instagram in your favorite vacation or travel photos. Make sure to include the hashtag "#AFSPATravelAdventure" to have your photo considered. 
2. Email your photos to [email protected]. 

The deadline for submissions is Monday, July 24, 2023, at 11:59 pm EST. We will select the winners in the first week of August and notify them by email. 

Links discussed in today's episode:

AFSPA's travel insurance plans: www.afspa.org/travel

CDC Traveler's Health site: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): https://step.state.gov/

This episode has been in the works for more than a month. April was Autism Awareness Month. Approximately 1 in 36 people are diagnosed with autism, but many of us understand little about the diagnosis. Today, Heather Buzbee of Brightline Health joins us to share her experience as a practitioner and a parent and help us understand this condition. In this interview, we learn about diagnoses, the uniqueness of each person diagnosed with autism, prevalent struggles faced by people with autism, and more. 

PLEASE NOTE: There is a brief discussion of mental illness and suicidality in this episode. 

Learn more about Brightline Health at www.hellobrightline.com/fsbp

For support with autism and other needs, contact the FSBP Care Management Team at 1-800-593-2354. 

#autism #autismawareness

This week, we bring you an overview of health topics for the month of May: Mental Health Awareness Month, Blood Pressure Awareness Month, Better Speech and Hearing Month, and Women’s Health Week. There are a number of programs mentioned in this episode, and here are links to those:

AFSPA’s events calendar: www.afspa.org/events

AFSPA’s blog: www.afspa.org/blogs

myStrength: www.mystrength.com – access code FSBP

AbleTo: www.AbleTo.com

Brightline: www.hellobrightline.com/FSBP

Teladoc (U.S.): www.teladoc.com/Aetna

vHealth (overseas): www.vhealth-teladochealth.com/en

Truman Group: https://trumangroup.com/

Livongo: http://get.livongo.com/FSBP

Lifestyle and Condition Coaching Program: www.myactivehealth.com/FSBP

Hearing Aid Discount Program: www.afspa.org/aip - Discount Care Programs

A recent WHO study concluded that 1 in 6 adults around the world experiences infertility in their lifetime. Procedures for diagnosing and treating infertility have come a long way in recent decades, and health insurance coverage around these procedures continues to evolve. In 2023, the Foreign Service Benefit Plan ( FSBP) offered coverage of assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures for the first time.

In this episode, we share with you again an interview with Dr. Jordan Pritzker on the topics of infertility and treatment initially shared in December 2022. 

• FSBP Prior approval for ART procedures - 800-923-2220
• FSBP Fertility Advocate - 833-415-1709
• Institutes of Excellence (IOE) Infertility Providers - www.aetnainfertilitycare.com

Today, we bring you something a bit different than our typical episode. It was just over three years ago, in March 2020, when COVID-19 profoundly changed life for most of us. The last three years had profound effects on healthcare around the world - how it's delivered, how data is used, and how we approach issues at a population level. 

Dr. Timothy Foggin of Teladoc Health Canada brings his experience and expertise in family medicine, population health, and international healthcare management to this topic. The discussion covers issues of population health, pandemic preparation, telehealth, and the future of care delivery. 

This week we shift our focus from FSBP to everything else AFSPA does. Sr. Dir. of Ancillary Insurance Programs Adrienne Coleman-Seabrooks provides an overview of our other offerings, from insurance to professional services. Listen for a special announcement about our Group Enhanced Life (GEL) program. 

For more information about AIP offerings, visit AFSPA.org/AIP.