FEHBP CUSTOMERS GIVE HIGH MARKS TO HEALTH PLANS FOR
SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Washington, D.C. - For the second straight year, employees and retirees receiving medical benefits from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) have given their health plans high marks in terms of overall satisfaction. Specifically, FEHBP enrollees expressed satisfaction with their access to care under the program, as well as the quality of care they have received by doctors and institutions participating in the program.

These and other findings released by OPM Director Jim King were the results of a survey designed to gauge satisfaction levels among FEHBP customers who are enrolled in fee-for-service plans or pre-paid plans, usually referred to as health maintenance organizations (HMO's).

Overall, more than 85 percent of enrollees in fee-for-service plans and HMO's said they were satisfied with their FEHBP health plan. Eighty-seven percent of enrollees surveyed in fee-for-service plans were satisfied with their plan, up 5 percentage points from last year. And, 86 percent of participants in HMO's were satisfied with their plans, equal to last year's findings.

"This year's results reinforce the solid performance and value of the FEHB Program," said OPM Director Jim King. "The results should also give FEHBP consumers another valuable resource to use when choosing a health plan that best meets their specific medical insurance needs."

The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program is the largest employer-sponsored health insurance program in the United States. The program is voluntary and covers almost 9 million active and retired federal employees and eligible family members. In 1996, 386 health plans will participate in the FEHBP and enrollees in some areas can choose from as many as 20 plans. Total premiums exceeded $15 billion in 1994, with the government's share averaging 72 percent.

This year's survey was conducted by the Gallup Organization. The survey instrument was the same as the 1994 FEHBP Customer Satisfaction Survey instrument which was developed by the Center for the Study of Services.

The results of this year's survey and other program materials will be made available during the FEHBP open season that runs from November 13 through December 11, 1995.

Members of the media interested in receiving a copy of the 1995 survey results can call OPM's Office of Communications at 202-606-1800.

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