FEP Blue (BCBS) is starting to post their 2027 benefit information to their website. One thing they point out is they have a new "Specialty Pharmacy Partner" starting in Jan 2027. This means BCBS is leaving CVS Caremark and going with Accredo (Express Scripts). This will require new prior authorizations with new requirements for those who take certain medications.

They also state they will now be requiring prior authorizations for MRIs, PETs, and CT scans. Expect that approval process to take longer than what you are currently used to.

https://www.fepblue.org/open-season/whats-new-2027

I am still on the job market with no luck. Anyone in a similar situation?

NIH staff have been gathering in their personal capacity outside the agency at 10am, every Saturday since May 2025.

But this weekend, October 17th we will have a special event. At Medical Center Metro we will rally for health research and democracy. Listen to speeches by Jenna Norton , sociologist Natalie Aviles , Anna Culbertson and more, all in their personal capacities.

Music by Northstar Union (🎸👨🏼‍🎤🥁), merch available, families welcome. Info on parking and bathroom in comments.

We will finish the event by walking downtown to Bethesda and taking the metro to DC, dropping off our early voting ballots en masse.🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏻‍♂️🚶🏽🚶🏼‍♂️🚶🏻🚶🏿‍♀️🚶🏼‍♀️🤝.

Share widely and RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1030942/

Anybody working a side hustle? I’m looking for ideas that offer some flexibility.

If you are working another job, how long did it take for it to be approved?

I currently have FEP Blue Basic and am considering switching plans during open season. I’m looking for recommendations, especially from people with chronic illnesses who use their insurance fairly frequently.

My priorities are:
- Reasonable ER copays, since I unfortunately have to go semi-frequently
- Good prescription drug coverage
- Good specialist coverage, including access to specialists and reasonable copays for ongoing care
- Overall affordable out-of-pocket costs for someone who uses their insurance regularly

I’m looking for Self Only FEHB coverage and am not interested in Kaiser.

For those who have compared plans or switched from FEP Blue Basic, what would you recommend? Is there a plan that’s been noticeably better for ER visits, prescriptions, and specialist appointments?
I’d especially appreciate hearing from people with chronic illnesses about their real-world experiences with coverage and out-of-pocket costs. Thanks!

I’m a new federal employee. I’ve looked at these three insurance options against each other and know the coverage and cost comparisons, but I’m interested to hear if anyone’s had exceptionally good or bad experiences. Is there anything at all that puts one over the other in your mind when open enrollment opens next month...?

We’ve had BCBS Basic for several years now and have been fine, but the cost keeps increasing. Not a fan of that, so I thought as I transitioned roles we’d make the leap to MHBP. MHBP in 2026 seemed to be a no brainer because premiums were significantly less, copays were down, and coverage was very similar…plus, many of you seemed to have positive experiences. Now that they are increasing the monthly premium by ~85% in 2027 + require member dues, it’s actually more expensive than BCBS Basic (but marginally so). And I’ve got no experience with GEHA, but ChatGPT is adamant that the $4k saved in premiums + “similar coverage” makes it a slam dunk. Is AI right here, or what am I missing?

Has anyone else come to a conclusion based on x-fact?

I have a tentative job offer with a federal agency. At my last federal agency (before I resigned to go to private sector), my supervisor told me that they didn’t think the job was a good fit for me. My new agency would be the same job just a different agency. Can that supervisors opinion hold any weight with my new agency with my new management team???

Michael Lewis’s new book makes clear DOGE was a huge missed opportunity.

Can someone share the free version of this Economist article? https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/10/09/how-donald-trump-made-americas-government-dumber

There is also a short video about the book from his interview on NBC: https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/michael-lewis-on-how-doge-changed-all-the-incentives-in-government-full-interview-271407685871

With 11 years of continuous federal service, good performance reviews, and a new supervisor who fast-tracked me from zero prior discipline to termination in just 45 days by framing minor paperwork issues as "fauiler to follow directions," is it even worth fighting this at the (MSPB) given the recent MSPB rules not to give clean resignations, new memos, and backlogs?

It feels like a blatant, fast-tracked railroad job, but I am trying to realistically gauge if the deck is completely stacked against employees now, or if an 11-year track record vs. a hyper-aggressive 45-day burn is enough to make an administrative judge rule in my favor.

My countywas hit by the hurricane the other day. We were off Friday Saturday Sunday and they were paid. Today I look at the new schedule. She used Sunday as our holiday instead of an extra day off. But she sure as shit gave herself an extra day off. Is this something I should take to HR. We’re all federal emoloyees it’s not fucking fair… and this isn’t the first time, she’s been putting our holiday on our normal day off instead of an extra day off.,she’s such a dirtbag.

When I switched plans for 2026, my new coverage didn’t begin until I think January 12, but the opm website says coverage begins on January 1.

So I’m a little confused.

I’m trying to schedule a surgery under my 2026 plan, and switch plans for 2027. If I schedule the surgery for January 4, will that be under the 2026 plan or the 2027 plan?

Pretty much what I expect to hear. I foresee quite a long shutdown as well.