ABA Health Savings Account Council Letter to OPM re: the RFI on the Federal Employees Health Benefits

Dear Director,

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments regarding the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and the potential impact of offering more, fewer, or different health benefits plan options to federal employees and annuitants. The American Bankers Association’s Health Savings Account Council (HSA Council) represents approximately ninety percent of all the Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in the United States and the millions of Americans who finance their healthcare with these accounts.

The HSA Council encourages the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to preserve broad choice among FEHB plan designs while creating additional opportunities for competition and innovation among HSA-qualified High Deductible Health Plans (HSA-qualified plans).

HSA Council members believe that OPM should not view HSA-qualified plans merely as plans with a higher deductible. Properly designed, HSA-qualified plans combine comprehensive insurance protection, lower premiums, tax-advantaged healthcare savings, and the opportunity to save for future healthcare expenses.

At the same time, our members recognize that higher deductibles and increased cost-sharing can cause some individuals to delay or forgo care.

Download the letter to read the full text.