AFSPA Talks

Happy Pride! For this week's episode, we wanted to share some information that would be helpful to members who have contacted us with questions about care and support for their children who are exploring their identities. We went back into our archive, and we're sharing an episode with Alyssa Clayden, PhD, LICSW, from the Truman Group that we originally published in June 2024. You can stay in touch with AFSPA and all we have coming up by visiting www.afspa.org/events or by following up on our social media channels: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube at @afspacares.  Join us for AFSPA Live at 11 am ET on Thursday, June 26, on Facebook, LinkedIn, or YouTube. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The recent changes to the federal workforce and the uncertainty that continues for many have resulted in mental health concerns for many with ties to federal employment - employees and family members alike. Stress, anxiety, fear, anger, and worry are all understandable reactions, but you do not have to face these challenges alone. We at AFSPA encourage you to make use of resources that may be available to you through community groups, employee assistance programs, and your health benefits. In today's episode, we highlight the long-term partnership between the Foreign Service Benefit Plan and the Truman Group. During our interview, Diane Nickeson-Mendheim, MSW, LCSW, describes how ex-pats can access care from the Truman Group for a variety of mental and behavioral health needs. To learn more about the Truman Group, visit https://trumangroup.com/. For more on mental wellness programs offered through the Foreign Service Benefit Plan, please visit https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/wellness-programs/manage-specific-conditions/#mental_wellness. 

In this episode of AFSPA Talks, we continue our conversation from Annual Meeting about weight loss, cardiovascular health, and diabetes management. Today's focus is on Chronic Care Management Programs. To tell us more about those programs, we have Grace Silverio from Teladoc Health. For more information about the Chronic Care Management Programs available to Foreign Service Benefit Plan members at NO COST, click here.If you have questions about these programs, join AFSPA Live, our live Q&A session, on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 11 AM ET. If you would like to submit a question in advance, fill out this form. 

This month, AFSPA Talks takes a look at some of the support programs available to members of the Foreign Service Benefit Plan. To begin, we'll discuss the Lifestyle and Condition Coaching (LCC) program with Dr. Vivian Ogueli and Leah Perry, RN. They offer details on how to complete a health risk assessment (HRA) and earn $75 in wellness incentives, utilize the LCC offerings to mitigate any health risks, meet your goals, and generally improve your health.  For more information about LCC and other support programs, please visit www.afspa.org/fsbp/wellness.

In this podcast episode, AFSPA CEO, Kyle Longton provides a comprehensive overview of how Medicare and the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program work together. Learn about each part of Medicare - A, B, C, and D - and what factors you should consider when deciding whether to enroll in Part B.  Please note: this presentation addresses only how Medicare and FEHB work together. It is not intended for audiences beyond those with FEHB coverage. The information is accurate as of March 4, 2025.  For information on Part B premiums and Part D premiums/IRMAA amounts, please visit: https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/115.... To learn more about signing up for Medicare, visit: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up.To learn more about the Foreign Service Benefit Plan and Medicare, visit: https://www.afspa.org/fsbp-and-medicare/

Two years ago, access to on-base care for Department of Defense civilians changed, which had a particular impact on those living and working in Japan. Since then, DoD leaders have been working on a program to support the needs of civilian employees in Japan. That program launched at the beginning of this year, and we wanted to know more about how it came about, how it works, and who it helps. Joining us to walk us through the Japan Health Insurance Enhancement Pilot are:Susan Orsega, Deputy Assitant Secretary of Defense for Health Services Policy and Oversight, Department of Defense Danielle McCammon, Chief, TRICARE Overseas Program DoD Civilian employees in Japan can reach the International SOS Government Services call center in the following ways: Call toll-free in Japan: 0120-303280Call from outside Japan: +81 33560 8185 (not toll-free) International callers can request a "callback" by sending an email to an email to avoid additional charges. For routine, non-urgent requests, it is best to email DODHealthcareSupport@internationalsos.com. Please include your full name, insurance details, and phone number in the email. Join us on January 30 at 11 am ET for AFSPA Live! You can submit your questions in advance here or join us live on YouTube, Facebook, or LinkedIn. See our other upcoming events here: www.afspa.org/eventsRegister for the AFSPA Member Annual Meeting here.Links referenced in today's episode:January 2023 episode - AFSPA Talks Care in Japan October 7, 2024, Press Release from DoD on Pilot: https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3927934/dod-announces-health-care-supplement-program-pilot-for-dod-civilian-employees-i/January 16, 2025 Article from U.S. Forces Japan on Pilot Program: https://www.usfj.mil/Media/Press-Releases/Article-View/Article/4031045/dod-launches-247-health-care-support-for-dod-civilian-employees-in-japan/AFSPA Overseas Care Details: https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/overseas/Searchable List of AFSPA Overseas Direct Billing Providers: https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/overseas/overseas-partners/

With Open Season over and a new year underway, hosts Kyle Longton and Maddie Norton use the first episode of 2025 to provide tips for the 10,000 new FSBP members and the more than 100,000 continuing members. Here are links to the resources they mentioned during this episode: AFSPA Website: www.afspa.orgOnline Portals for FSBP Members (including demo videos): https://www.afspa.org/online-member-portals/FSBP Provider Search Tool: www.afspa.org/fsbp/provider Teladoc Health (telehealth in the U.S.): https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/wellness-programs/#telehealth-us vHealth (Worldwide) (telehealth outside the U.S.): https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/wellness-programs/#telehealth-overseasAFSPA Annual Meeting: https://events.zoom.us/ev/Ap2pSvh2nz0z7F5_7HFrAs6bwKbNUGLVGNVLf2PvrJvlxnY-fkp_~Agq7R07nRuUtjQNzMHfAgYQfhknsFMKrig226MqCMLSGs9totE2UdR3hQA Socials:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/afspacaresInstagram - @afspacaresLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/afspa/AFSPA's other programs: www.afspa.org/aipOther AFSPA Events: www.afspa.org/events Please join us on January 30 at 11am ET on YouTube, Facebook, or LinkedIn for AFSPA Live! Send your questions here: https://lnkd.in/eK2VsF9u 

It's November, which means Federal Benefits Open Season is almost here. Today, Maddie and Kyle discuss health insurance, dental and vision insurance, and flexible spending account options before diving into changes for the Foreign Service Benefit Plan for 2025.  This is just the start of AFSPA's Open Season work. Please find more information at www.afspa.org/openseason. Join us for a webinar or other event throughout Open Season. You can find the full list of webinars at www.afspa.org/events.  View our past recordings of podcasts and AFSPA Live events at www.youtube.com/afspacares. To learn more about the open enrollment period through December 1, 2024, for our Group Enhanced Life (GEL) and Immediate Benefit Plan (IBP) programs, visit www.afspa.org/life. 

To wrap up life insurance awareness month, we have another episode. Our focus today is on the open enrollment period AFSPA is offering from October 1 through December 1 for our Group Enhanced Life (GEL) program and our Immediate Benefit Plan (IBP). AFSPA Sr. Director for Ancillary Insurance Programs Adrienne Coleman-Seabrooks returns to the program to walk us through the details of these programs, what open enrollment means, and how you can take advantage. For more information, visit www.afspa.org/life. Watch September's AFSPA Live episode on Life Insurance here.

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM), and we are kicking things off with a focus on millennials. With our guest, Nicole Devlin from Prudential, we discuss the needs of this population and why now might be the best time for them to consider this important part of their financial portfolio.  This episode is just the start of a busy month. Join us for more events, all available at www.afspa.org/events. What You Should Know About Life Insurance webinar on 9/17 at 8 AM, 1 PM, and 6 PM ET. Register here. Senior Living Foundation's Planning for Change Seminar on 9/24 at 1 PM ET at AFSPA Headquarters. Register here.Prudential Financial Wellness Checkups on 9/24 and 9/25. Register here. AFSPA Live on 9/26 at 11 AM ET about AFSPA Life Insurance Plans. Watch live at youtube.com/afspacares.For more information on AFSPA's life insurance programs, visit www.afspa.org/life.

It's August, and for many families, that means preparing for a return to school. This can be a challenge for kids and parents. Changing routines, decreasing free time, and, for many of our members, new locations can make for bumpy August and September. Our guests today, working from Brightline Health, will provide some strategies for families to ease the return to school for everyone.  Learn more about Brightline Health and sign up for it at www.hellowbrightline.com/fsbp. (Brightline is considered an in-network provider with FSBP. Services are available to FSBP members in the U.S. only. Calendar year deductible and coinsurance apply.)Dr. Kendra Read is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Vice President of Therapy at Brightline. She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. She completed her internship in pediatric psychology at Nemours Hospital for Children and her postdoctoral fellowship at the Stanford University School of Medicine in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department.  Previously, she served as the Director of the Mood & Anxiety Program and Director of Anxiety Programs at Seattle Children's Hospital, as well as the Director of Psychotherapy Training at the University of Washington School of Medicine Child Psychiatry Fellowship. Dr. Read specializes in the treatment of youth with anxiety disorders and OCD from a cognitive behavioral therapy perspective. She is highly invested in increasing access to evidence-based behavioral health interventions for youth and their families.Irene Biscante is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) and the Vice President of Coaching at Brightline. She holds a bachelor's degree in Public Health with an emphasis in Health Education and Promotion from Brigham Young University - Idaho and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Therapy at Northcentral University. With over seven years of experience in health and behavior change startups such as Noom, Omada Health, and Sanvello Health, Irene has specialized in scaling evidence-based and personalized behavioral coaching through 1:1 video sessions, secured chat, and group/peer sessions. Irene was part of the early team at Brightline where she established the Behavioral Health Coaching function, built the coaching team, co-created coaching programs using evidence-based tools and practices, and developed quality oversight programs to ensure safe and high quality care services at Brightline. With behavioral coaching as an emerging field and a brand new service offering for youth, she successfully transitioned this offering from a direct-to-consumer, out-of-pocket service to a service covered by health plans and employers due to strong care outcomes across all ages. Prior to joining Brightline, Irene served as a coach manager at Noom Inc., where she managed teams, led hiring and onboarding processes, and was a founding internal faculty member in the company's accredited national board certification program for health coaches. She has coached thousands of individuals both in-person and across digital platforms on a national and international scale. Irene is passionate about expanding access to mental health services independent of income or social status, developing coaches, behavior specialists, and health educators to focus on youth mental health using evidence-based and culturally competent care practices, and reshaping the narrative around youth and family mental health through proactive prevention, early intervention strategies, and behavior change initiatives.

In this episode, we talk with John McQuillan from Teladoc Health UK. He walks us through the care and consultation options available to Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP) members outside the U.S. for general medical and mental health needs. He offers some examples that will be familiar to many of our members worldwide.  These benefits are branded as vHealth (Worldwide) in the FSBP Brochure Sections 5(a) and 5(e): https://www.afspa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024_FSBP_Brochure_-RI-72-001_Final_1.8.2024.pdf.  To access the Teladoc Health services outside the U.S. - branded as vHealth under FSBP benefits, download the vHealth (Worldwide) app from the App Store or Google Play Store. You also can visit https://vhealth-teladochealth.com/en. To reach them by phone, call +1-857-256-3784 (U.S.) or +44-20-3499-2851 (UK). 

It's Pride Month, and we're talking with Alyssa Clayden, PhD, LCSW. She first joined us in 2021 to discuss support for LGBTQ+ youth, and we're exploring the same topic in this episode. Our focus is on how parents and other family members and allies can support children and adolescents who are exploring their identities in terms of sexual attraction and gender identity. We take some time to discuss what parents may experience and how this support can be different in the U.S. and overseas.  Alyssa is a provider with The Truman Group - https://trumangroup.com/ - long time partners of AFSPA/FSBP. We appreciate their partnership in providing our members with access to mental health care around the globe and making today's episode possible.  For more information on benefits and programs available to FSBP members, please visit www.afspa.org/fsbp. Some resources that may be helpful to our listeners:glifaa - LGBTQIA+ pride in foreign affairs agencies - https://glifaa.org/The Trevor Project - https://www.thetrevorproject.org/Foreign Service Youth Foundation - LGBT in the Foreign Service - https://www.fsyf.org/LGBT 

 May is mental health awareness month. Just as many factors can influence our mental health, there are a variety of support programs and treatment options to explore. Today, we welcome Jennifer Pertofsky-Plotnek, LCSW-C, CDCES, NCB-HWC. She is currently the Director of Coaching at Teladoc Health. Jennifer talks us through the differences between counseling and coaching. She provides details on the coaching available to Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP) members at no cost through two Teladoc Health programs: myStrength and chronic care management (formerly Livongo). Links:FSBP members can access Teladoc's programs, including myStrength and chronic care management and mental health counseling, through www.teladochealth.com or through the Teladoc Health app, available in the App Store and through Google Play. Other access options include: FSBP members aged 13 and older can enroll in myStrength at www.mystrength.com, select "Sign-up," and enter the access code "FSBP." To access the chronic care management programs (formerly known as Livongo), members can visit http://get.livongo.com/FSBP. You can enroll in diabetes management, hypertension management, and/or weight management. Chronic care management and myStrength are available worldwide. For more details, please review the 2024 FSBP Brochure at https://www.afspa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024_FSBP_Brochure_-RI-72-001_Final_1.8.2024.pdf. 

In this episode, AFSPA CEO Kyle Longton, CAE, REBC addresses some of the most frequent questions AFSPA has received about the FSBP Express Scripts Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, or PDP. While he touches on some basics of the PDP, you can learn more about the specific PDP benefits from our October 23, 2023 podcast and our November 30, 2023 AFSPA Live (see links below).Kyle will address questions about Medicare during AFSPA Live on March 30, 2024 at 11 ET. If you would like your question to be answered live, submit your question here: https://forms.office.com/r/jPzsTE0TKz  Links: FSBP Express Scripts Medicare Prescription Drug Plan webpage: www.afspa.org/pdpOctober 23, 2023, AFSPA Talks PDP: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1756283/13816947 November 30, AFSPA Live on PDP: https://www.youtube.com/live/n-9IAB-c2cY?si=Ej5OuciIfM7tGqxM Medicare Part D IRMAA Information: https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/costs-for-medicare-drug-coverage/monthly-premium-for-drug-plansSocial Security Administration Contact Page: https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/ AFSPA Events: www.afspa.org/events

In this episode, AFSPA CEO Kyle Longton provides a comprehensive overview of how Medicare and the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program work together. Learn about each part of Medicare - A, B, C, and D - and what factors you should consider when deciding whether to enroll in Part B. Please note: this presentation addresses only how Medicare and FEHB work together. It is not intended for audiences beyond those with FEHB coverage. The information is accurate as of March 2024. For information on Part B premiums and Part D premiums/IRMAA amounts, please visit: https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11579-medicare-costs.pdf. To learn more about signing up for Medicare, visit: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up. 

With this episode, we continue our February focus on fertility. For some people receiving treatment for diagnoses of infertility, prescription drugs can account for half the costs of their treatment. Ensuring on-time delivery of the drugs, understanding how to administer them, and having a resource for understanding the side effects are key to one's starting any new drug therapy. FSBP has partnered with Freedom Fertility Pharmacy, part of the Evernorth family, to provide all of this and more to our members in the U.S. Today, we have two experts from Freedom joining us to talk about their services for FSBP members. For more information, please visit www.freedomfertility.com Coverage of medications may be subject to prior approval and prior authorization of fertility services by the Foreign Service Benefit Plan. For prior approval of comprehensive infertility and ART services, whether services are rendered in the U.S. or outside the U.S., please contact the Plan's infertility care manager line at 800-593-2354. Prior approval is required for services received in the U.S. and outside the U.S. Please see our January 2024 episode on Maven to learn more about their support for infertility, maternity, and more. Join us on February 29 at 11 am ET for AFSPA Live and a discussion focused on fertility. Join us on March 1 at 11 am ET for AFSPA's Annual Meeting. More information on all upcoming events at www.afspa.org/events

Our focus for the month of February is on fertility. We'll have more content later this month about the enhanced infertility coverage under the Foreign Service Benefit Plan for 2024. Today, though, we are talking about coverage for contraception. All of the information in the podcast comes from Sections 5a, 5b, and 5f and Section 7 of the 2024 FSBP Brochure available at https://www.afspa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024_FSBP_Brochure_-RI-72-001_Final_1.8.2024.pdf. To initiate the contraceptive exception process, members can call Express Scripts at 800-841-2734.  

In this episode of AFSPA Talks, we discuss a new solution from Teladoc. Lisa DeLarso joins us to share about Virtual Primary Care. Primary360 is a virtual primary care solution that inspires lasting relationships between people and care providers through longitudinal care plans, continuous care team support, and a unified, whole-person experience. Primary360 offers a solution that isn't always available with traditional care—including personalization, flexibility, choice, convenience, and care coordination. From the new patient visit to every checkup afterward, Primary360 allows people to be fully supported by a care team across their healthcare needs.For more information about virtual primary care, please visit Teladoc.com/Aetna or call 1-855-835-2362. Please note that the virtual primary care program is available only to FSBP members physically located in the United States.

To kick off our 2024 podcasts, we have an episode focused on one of the new programs available to FSBP members: Maven Clinic. Maven is a comprehensive virtual care platform providing critical support across fertility, pregnancy, adoption, parenting, pediatrics, and ongoing care including all stages of menopause. This program became available to FSBP members on January 1 at no cost. Marcy Cuneo and Teresa Wilkinson from Maven join AFSPA Talks to provide an overview of what Maven offers and how their care model works. Maven leaders will join us for AFSPA Talks on February 29 at 11 am ET. See www.afspa.org/events for all of our upcoming events. To learn more about Maven, go to http://mavenclinic.com/join/FSBPSee the 2024 FSBP Brochure for full details of infertility coverage.Please note that all infertility services, whether received in the U.S. or overseas, require prior approval. Call 800-593-2354 before scheduling services.You also can connect with fertility advocates by calling 833-415-1709.

With today's episode, we address the most frequently asked questions on open season. A panel of AFSPA experts joins to provide answers and clarity on changes for 2024.  For more information on open season, please visit www.afspa.org/openseason To contact the infertility prior approval line, call 1-800-593-2354. To contact the Plan's fertility advocate, call 1-833-415-1709. For more information about the FSBP Express Scripts Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, visit www.afspa.org/pdp. You will find the form there to opt out. For more on our direct billing partners, visit https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/overseas/overseas-partners/. For more information on dental, life, and disability insurance programs offered by AFSPA, visit www.afspa.org/aip.

Today, Kyle and Maddie discuss the 2024 open season with a particular focus on the improvements under FSBP. In particular, their discussion focuses on: Increases in the allowance for alternative benefits: massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic services; Expansion in the coverage of infertility services; and The new Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) Don't miss other upcoming open-season events. Find all of our events at www.afspa.org/events.  We couldn't fit all the information into the podcast, so here are some links with more information: AFSPA/FSBP Open Season information: www.afspa.org/openseason FSBP-Express Scripts Prescription Drug Plan (PDP): www.afspa.org/pdp Prior approval line for Comprehensive Infertility and ART: 800-593-2354 Fertility Advocate: 833-415-1709 Gender Affirming Surgical prior approval: 800-593-2354 

There are an increasing number of diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in both children and adults. Despite the prevalence of this diagnosis, many do not understand this condition. Today, we welcome a health coach from Brightline Health who will walk through the basics of ADHD including behaviors, symptoms and treatments. Our guest discusses the support offered by Brightline Health, an in-network, stateside provider for Foreign Service Benefit Plan members. Learn more and sign up for Brightline at www.hellobrightline.com/fsbpCheck out our latest blog about ADHD at afspa.org/blogs.Find information about FSBP changes for 2024 and events around open season at www.afspa.org/openseasonOur full events calendar is available at www.afspa.org/events.

Beginning in January 2024, many Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) plans will be offering a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) to their members. The Foreign Service Benefit Plan will be among them. This program will result in savings for our members aged 65 and older. Join us for a detailed discussion of PDPs generally and the specifics of the FSBP PDP. Mark your calendars for two upcoming discussions of the FSBP PDP: October 31, at 12 noon ET - We will offer a live webinar with an overview of the PDP and a chance for you to ask your questions. November 30 at 11 am ET - Our monthly AFSPA Talks program will focus on the PDP and offer another opportunity for you to get answers about this program. You can learn more at www.afspa.org/fsbp/pdp. If you have questions about the benefits under the PDP, please contact the dedicated Express Scripts line at 855-690-8353, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information on Medicare Part D premiums, please visit https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/costs-for-medicare-drug-coverage/monthly-premium-for-drug-plans. Please see the 2024 chart at the bottom of the page (based on 2022 income). 

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-planningAFSPA Talks Long Term Care Insurance episode - https://afspatalks.buzzsprout.com/1756283/9592735-afspa-talks-long-term-careTammy'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-healthRegister 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_KidsForeign Service Youth Foundation: https://www.fsyf.org/Active & Connected Families Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-connected-families/id1547081877Families 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: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. Email your photos to outreach@afspa.org. 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/travelCDC Traveler's Health site: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travelState'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/fsbpFor 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/eventsAFSPA's blog: www.afspa.org/blogsmyStrength: www.mystrength.com – access code FSBPAbleTo: www.AbleTo.comBrightline: www.hellobrightline.com/FSBPTeladoc (U.S.): www.teladoc.com/AetnavHealth (overseas): www.vhealth-teladochealth.com/enTruman Group: https://trumangroup.com/Livongo: http://get.livongo.com/FSBPLifestyle and Condition Coaching Program: www.myactivehealth.com/FSBPHearing 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 - 800-923-2220FSBP Fertility Advocate - 833-415-1709Institutes 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. 

This week, we have an episode that may be of particular interest to the 1,700+ new enrollees who joined FSBP during open season: an overview of the Plan and how it works. We also included a bit about the changes for 2023 for long-time members. Learn more about some of the features mentioned in this episode:Changes for 2023: https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/new-for-2023/FSBP Wellness Programs: https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/wellness-programs/FSBP Prescription Drugs Coverage: https://www.afspa.org/prescriptions/FSBP Overseas Care: https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/overseas/Contact a nurse care manager at 800-593-2354

Recent changes in access to military treatment facilities (MTFs) have had an outsize effect on DoD civilians in Japan. This episode reviews coverage and programs available to members in Japan - and in many cases around the world - and how to access these benefits. For more information about vHealth, please visit https://vhealth-teladochealth.com/en. For more information about Livongo chronic condition support, visit get.livongo.com/FSBP For a list of our overseas direct billing partners, visit https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/overseas/. 

Happy New Year! In our first AFSPA Talks episode of 2023, AFSPA COO and host,  Kyle Longton, discusses some common New Year's resolutions and the programs AFSPA offers to help you keep them. You can find a full outline of the Foreign Service Benefit Plan wellness programs at https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/wellness-programs/. For more information on the Financial Wellness Program, click here. 

Happy New Year! AFSPA Talks is taking a quick break on doing a full episode this week, but we'll be back in two weeks with a full episode airing on Monday, Jan 23rd where we'll be talking about the post-holiday blues and the wellness programs we offer to help Foreign Service Benefit Plan members and their dependents. This includes programs like our digital coaching and our Lifestyle and Condition Coaching Program, so stay tuned!Don't forget to join us for our AFSPA Live broadcast on our YouTube channel @afspacareson Thursday, Jan 26that 11:00am ET where we will be answering your questions about the new FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan which we started offering this year

The holidays are upon us, and they bring with them tasty treats and stress. Managing our health this time of year can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. To provide some ways to be kind to ourselves while remaining healthy this holiday season, we welcome Grace Silverio, BSN, CDCES, RN, MSN, Director of Solution Strategy for Teladoc Health and a subject matter expert for chronic conditions. For more information on Livongo chronic condition solutions, visit https://www.get.livongo.com/fsbp For more on the wellness programs available to FSBP members, visit https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/wellness-programs/. 

With only one week left of open season, host Kyle Longton turns to some of his colleagues for help answering your most frequent questions. We touch on general information about FEHB, FEDVIP, and FSAFEDS before digging into FSBP wellness incentives and ending with a lightening round on the FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Program. Some of the websites discussed in this episode include:FEDVIP information: www.benefeds.com FSAFEDS: www.fsafeds.com FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan: www.fsbphealth.com/retiree FSBP Open Season Information: www.afspa.org/openseasonAFSPA Open Season Webinars: www.afspa.org/events 

In 2023, AFSPA is offering coverage for ART procedures under the Foreign Service Benefit Plan for the first time. Today we delve into not only this coverage but also causes of infertility and the various treatments, including ART procedures. OB/GYN Jordan Pritzker, MD, MBA, FACOG, joins us to share his expertise in this area and talk us through what individual might experience as they seek to grow their families. For more information on infertility and mental health and personal family formation journeys, scroll back to our June episodes in your feed. 

This week, we offer a preview of our new FSBP-Aetna Medicare AdvantagePlan, a new option within FSBP for members with Medicare Parts A and B.Learn about the special features in this plan, including Silver Sneakers andPart B premium reductions of up to $900 per year. Also, gain anunderstanding of how this plan differs from the Foreign Service Benefit Planyou know already. Use the following resources to make an informed choice and find out if the FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan is for you:General Open Season Webinars:www.afspa.org/eventsAFSPA Open Season Information:www.afspa.org/openseasonInformation on the FSBP-AetnaMedicare Advantage Plan:www.fspbhealth.com/retireeWebinars on the FSBP-Aetna MedicareAdvantage Plan: www.fsbphealth.com/webinarsFSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage PlanQuestions: call 1-866-241-0262Monday through Friday, 8 am to 8 pm ETAFSPA Talks Episode on Medicare Advantage Plans: https://afspatalks.buzzsprout.com/1756283/10104318-afspa-talks-medicareadvantage-plans

In this episode, COO Kyle Longton takes you through some general information about the upcoming open season before focusing on the Foreign Service Benefit Plan. Learn what's staying the same for 2023 and what enhancements are coming in the new year - including new benefits and incentives focused on maternal health, coverage for ART procedures, and a Medicare Advantage Plan.Check out www.afpsa.org/openseason for more information and a schedule for our Open Season live webinars. We hope you can join us to have your questions answered.

In this episode, we continue our month-long focus on breast cancer with an examination of nutritional needs while undergoing cancer treatment. Kerry Coughlin, RD, CSO and Rebecca Philipps, PharmD join us to discuss this topic and support available from TherapEase Cuisine, a program available to patients who fill their cancer medications at Accredo Specialty Pharmacy. To learn more and enroll in the program, visit www.TherapEaseCuisine.com

On this episode, AFSPA Talks Cancer Support Programs.

In this episode, we kick off a month-long focus on breast cancer awareness. Melissa Wolf, MS, NP-C, AOCNP, joins us. As an Assistant Medical Director for PinnacleCare, she brings her expertise to provide an introduction to breast cancer: what do we mean when we say cancer, risk factors, early detection and prevention, treatment options, and when and how to get a second opinions. Melissa also will be our guest for AFSPA Live on October 27 at 11am ET. 

In this episode of AFSPA Talks, federal benefits expert, Tammy Flanagan, joins AFSPA COO Kyle Longton, to talk about the importance of retirement planning and the work she does at Retire Federal. She walks through the broad considerations for any federal employee as they consider their future after retirement before diving into the often-complicated topic of life insurance within the FEGLI program. You can see Tammy's work elsewhere at:Retire Federal: https://www.retirefederal.com/For Your Benefit (Federal News Network): https://federalnewsnetwork.com/category/radio-interviews/fyb-archives/Government Executive: https://www.govexec.com/voices/tammy-flanagan/2340/Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast: https://plan-your-federal-retirement.com/podcasts/

This week AFSPA Talks Financial Planning and Wealth Management with Greg Klingler, COO and VP, Wealth Management at GEBA. Greg holds a number of designations and licenses, including Certified Financial Planner, Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor, and the Chartered Federal Benefits Consultant Designation. You can learn more at www.gebawealth.comDisclaimer: Securities offered by Cape Securities Inc, Member FINRA, SIPC.Managed money offered through Cape Securities Advisory.Past returns do not guarantee future results. The views expressed within this podcast should not be considered a personalized recommendation. If you desire specific recommendations, please contact a financial advisor who will consider your financials, risk tolerance and investment time horizon prior to advising on potential solutions.

On this episode of AFSPA Talks, we combined two of our previously recorded episodes about Disability, Critical Illness, and Life Insurance. September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. If you're interested in learning even more about life insurance, check out our blog at afspa.org/blogs.   

On this episode, AFSPA Talks Children's Behavioral Health with Alison Stoner and Honora Einhorn, two senior clinical managers with Brightline Health. They discuss ways parents and caregivers can support healthy behavioral emotional and social development, the effect of COVID on kids of all ages, signs that may indicate a need for care or intervention, and the network of care professionals in a child's life. They also spend time talking about Brightline and the three-tiered approach this new FSBP partner offers. Learn more about Brightline at www.hellobrightline.com/fsbp. 

In this episode of AFSPA Talks, we take a break to prepare for future podcast episodes. In the meantime, feel free to listen to any of our past episodes! We look forward to sharing a brand new episode with you next week on August 22!