Tuesday Tidbits

The Washington Post reports that the Congressional Budget Office issued a report yesterday on S. 1910, a Senate bill that would offer FEHBP and Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program coverage to the same sex domestic partners of federal employees. CBO expects that less than one percent of federal employees would apply for same sex domestic partner benefits and that the expansion "would increase the cost to the government by $133 million over 10 years. That is a net figure, consisting of $243 million in added premium costs, partly offset by savings from requiring the program to recover payments when a third party is liable for the health care costs of an enrollee." The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs cleared the bill last Spring but it has not been considered by the full Senate or the House.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday November 30 will consider whether to hear the cases challenging the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). DOMA prohibits OPM from extending FEHBP and FEGLI coverage to the same sex spouses of federal employees and annuitants. S. 1910 would provide a coverage option for gay federal employees who live in States that don't recognize same sex marriage. The Supreme Court is expected to announce its decision on whether to hear the DOMA cases next Monday. For more details on the DOMA cases, you can consult the Scotusblog here.

Today, OPM posted its 2012 health information technology report for the FEHBP. OPM also named 39 FEHB plans who "have demonstrated their commitment to efficiency, safety and quality through computer system enhancements that offer PHRs, quality information, and price/cost transparency decision support tools."

Recently, the FEHBlog noted a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force draft report proposing expanded HIV testing for the adult U.S. population with no cost sharing. Today, the FEHBlog notes a Kaiser Health News article reporting that the PSTF now has issued a draft report proposing expanded Hepatitis C testing for the Baby Boomer population (which includes the FEHBlog). Any preventive services that the PSTF green lights with an A or B rating must be offered by group health plans, including FEHB plans, with no enrollee cost sharing. Like the HIV testing proposal, this Hepatitis C proposal would apply to the FEHBP in 2014 if finalized.