Defense civilian personnel officials are warning federal civilian employees about a scam involving a company that allegedly uses misleading advertisements related to the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program.
"The scam intends to use misinformation as well as fear about the Affordable Care Act and its impact on the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program to influence federal employees to buy their services," stated the alert from the Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service.
The company is called Government Employee Services, described in the alert as a benefits and retirement planning company.
"Government Employee Services is in no way affiliated with the federal government. It is a company seeking to get your business through misleading advertisement," states the alert posted for federal employees, which include many military spouses and retirees.
The notice states that FEHBP coverage is not affected by the Affordable Care Act. "An employee still has to retire on an immediate annuity and have FEHBP coverage five years prior to retirement," states the alert.
Officials warn employees to beware of calls, emails or mailings offering to help with federal benefits. Information was not immediately available about what, exactly, the company is trying to sell related to health insurance.
The Office of Personnel Management website states that FEHBP plans are eligible employer-sponsored plans and provide the minimum essential coverage required under the Affordable Care Act. Those covered by FEHBP do not need to take any action regarding their enrollment in the federal program or the Affordable Care Act Marketplace.
To confirm whether a communication about benefits is legitimately issued by the government, or to verify whether claims about changes to federal benefits are true, employees should contact their local human resources office.
Further information about the company Government Employee Services, including contact information, was unavailable.
Karen has covered military families, quality of life and consumer issues for Military Times for more than 30 years, and is co-author of a chapter on media coverage of military families in the book "A Battle Plan for Supporting Military Families." She previously worked for newspapers in Guam, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Fla., and Athens, Ga.
