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AFSPA Talks

AFSPA

This is an informational and educational podcast by the American Foreign Service Protective Association (AFSPA), featuring Chief Executive Officer, Kyle Longton. AFSPA Talks covers a range of topics across a multitude of categories, from mental wellness, to dental care, to speech and hearing awareness. This podcast is intended for all listeners, not only AFSPA members. This podcast is not intended to give out medical advice, please seek a professional for medical questions. 

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  • 20 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 31 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • S17 · E17
    Monday · 38 min

    AFSPA Talks Care in Germany

    For today's episode, we start with a brief discussion of what contributed to premium increases for 2027. We will, of course, have more information about this during our Open Season webinars, and you can register for those and other upcoming events at www.afspa.org/events. We are continuing our Overseas October theme. In this episode, we talk about care in Germany. What are the major differences? What should people consider before moving overseas to Germany or elsewhere? To help us answer these questions and more, we turn to one of our direct billing providers in the Ramstein area: Dr. Adam Flynn. Links: Upcoming Events: www.afspa.org/events Details of the Foreign Service Benefit Plan: www.afspa.org/fsbp FSBP Overseas Direct Billing Partners: https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/overseas/overseas-partners/ Flynn Family Medicine: www.flynnsmedical.com FSBP Open Season: www.afspa.org/openseason

  • S17 · E16
    October 5 · 31 min

    AFSPA Talks MED

    The Bureau of Medical Services within the Department of State plays a unique role in supporting the thousands of members of the Foreign Service and other U.S. government agencies, and their families, serving around the world. These medical professionals provide primary care, arrange medevacs, support ongoing chronic care, and more. Today, AFSPA Talks with three leaders from MED to learn a bit more about their work and to get some advice for audience members who are new to the Foreign Service or considering joining. Please note: This episode was recorded in late September 2026. All information in this episode is current as of that date. Links discussed in this episode: Upcoming AFSPA Events: www.afspa.org/events AFSPA's Life Insurance Open Enrollment: www.afspa.org/life Choosing Federal Health Insurance: Selecting Federal Health Insurance

  • S17 · E15
    September 14 · 28 min

    AFSPA Talks Senior Living Foundation

    For almost 40 years, the Senior Living Foundation has helped meet the needs of the Foreign Service community. We do this with professionalism and dignity while maintaining our clients' privacy. Today, we'll look at how SLF works, who we can help, and what that help looks like. SLF Social Work Consultant Joan Parrish, MSSW, LGSW, joins us to share her role in the process. For more information on SLF, please visit www.slfoundation.org. Follow SLF on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@seniorlivingfoundation) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/seniorlivingfoundation). To join us for our Next Chapter Conversation on September 23, please visit https://www.youtube.com/live/V7PLC7fdnXc?si=aVA59SQhO4Wc-eO9. You can submit your questions for the event here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/KNUsfShw0r To explore other upcoming events from AFSPA and our partners, please visit www.afspa.org/events.

  • S17 · E14
    August 24 · 33 min

    AFSPA Talks Back to School with the Truman Group

    August is a time of change for many. For families with children, it's back-to-school time. For many AFSPA members, it's also PCS season. This can all combine to make for a challenging period. To help us talk through ways to manage these changes, we're talking with Catherine McLean, MSW, LCSW, from the Truman Group. She shares her knowledge as a licensed clinical social worker and her experience as an expat and a counselor to many other expats. To help after the episode ends, she's also shared an infographic available here. Upcoming events: www.afspa.org/events Truman Group: www.trumangroup.com

  • S17 · E13
    July 27 · 31 min

    AFSPA Talks Hidden AIP Programs

    Many of you know that AFSPA offers more than the Foreign Service Benefit Plan. But did you know that we go beyond traditional insurance? In this episode, AFSPA's Sr. Director for Ancillary Programs walks us through some of the hidden treasures she manages, including travel insurance, members-of-household plans, and professional services partnerships. There's something for everyone at AFSPA. For more information on AFSPA's ancillary programs, please visit www.afspa.org/aip.

  • S17 · E12
    June 22 · 28 min

    AFSPA Talks Teladoc Care Options

    In today's episode, we continue our focus on men's health but expand it to care options for everyone. Removing barriers to care makes it easier for everyone to get the support they need, and that's exactly what we discuss today. Members of the Foreign Service Benefit Plan have access to a variety of telehealth and chronic care management options through our partnership with Teladoc Health. Chris Eastburn from Teladoc provides us with an overview of the various programs and how they can help all our members. For more information on FSBP care options, visit www.afspa.org/fsbp. To see our upcoming events, visit www.afspa.org/events. Join us for AFSPA Live on June 25. Submit your questions in advance at: https://forms.office.com/r/9FuRJC76sN. Don't miss open enrollment in AFSPA's disability insurance program through June 30. Learn more and enroll at www.afspa.org/aip/disability.

  • S17 · E11
    June 8 · 43 min

    AFSPA Talks Men's Health

    Statistically speaking, men are less likely to seek care, both for prevention and treatment. This applies to physical health and mental/behavioral health. In recent years, this discrepancy has led to a widening gap in life expectancy between men and women. We discussed these differences, the importance of care for men, and even dived into some trends with Dr. Kelly Ruel, Sr. Medical Director for Aetna/CVS Health. To learn more about topics discussed in today's episode, please visit: AFSPA Events - https://www.afspa.org/events FSBP Preventive Care, Virtual Care, and Wellness Programs - https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/wellness-programs/

  • S17 · E10
    May 18 · 29 min

    AFSPA Talks Maternity Journeys

    National trends indicate that more people are waiting until a bit later in life before considering their options. Some plan months or years in advance before starting the journey, while others make plans quickly when they find out a new addition is on the way. Growing a family looks different for each of us. Last year, more than 700 FSBP members gave birth and grew their families in locations around the world. For FSBP members at any stage of the fertility, maternity, or parenting journey, they can access support through Maven Clinic. As part of Maternity May, we welcome Dr. Kathleen Green from Maven to talk about their support program and how members can benefit from this free, global offering. You can ask your own questions to Dr. Green during this month's AFSPA Live on May 28 at 11 am ET. To enroll in Maven Clinic, please visit www.mavenclinic.com/join/FSBP To learn more about our upcoming programs, please visit www.afspa.org/events.

  • S17 · E9
    May 4 · 25 min

    AFSPA Talks Long Term Disability Insurance

    AFSPA is happy to announce that we recently launched a new long-term disability insurance plan in partnership with Prudential. This new plan offers a variety of ways to customize coverage based on your salary and how long of a benefit period you want. To learn the ins and outs of the new plan, we welcome back Nicole Devlin from Prudential to the program. To learn more about the new plan, please visit www.afspa.org/aip/disability. To see all of our upcoming events, please visit www.afspa.org/events.

  • S17 · E8
    April 27 · 37 min

    AFSPA Talks FSBP Claims

    We continue All about AFSPA April with a deep dive into claims. Last year, the Foreign Service Benefit Plan processed more than 2.28 million claims from members all around the world. These included more than half a million overseas claims and thousands of massage therapy claims. If you've ever wondered how we do it, this episode is for you. Kelli Rath from Aetna walks us through the processes, challenges, and successes of processing claims from our unique, worldwide membership. For more information on claims, please visit www.afspa.org/fsbp/claims. For all of AFSPA's upcoming events, visit www.afspa.org/events.

  • S17 · E7
    April 13 · 23 min

    AFSPA Talks Foreign Service Benefit Plan

    Welcome to All About AFSPA April! In today's episode, we are discussing the Foreign Service Benefit Plan. With AFSPA's Sr. Director of Health Operations, Igor Cherevko, we visit some of the most frequently asked questions and common topics that our Health Benefits Officers encounter. Drug Pricing Tool: https://www.express-scripts.com/frontend/commercial-open-enrollment/afspaforeignservicebenefitplan/plans/68c2cfb07c0b92001c878c32/apps/medication#/ Lyra Health: Call 1-877-505-7147 or visit https://www.lyrahealth.com/. Truman Group: https://trumangroup.com/ For more information on FSBP, visit www.afspa.org/fsbp.

  • S17 · E6
    March 30 · 32 min

    AFSPA Talks Medicare Advantage

    To close out Medicare March, we're taking some time to look at the most popular Medicare program in the country: Medicare Advantage Plans (MAPs). Dr. Ali Khan, Chief Medical Officer, Medicare at Aetna, joins us to talk about the plans in general and dive into the specifics of the FSBP - Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan. Join us for a great conversation about the ins and outs of MAPs, how FSBP members can take advantage of savings and support opportunities, and for some general tips on care as we all age. For more information on the FSBP - Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan, please visit www.fsbphealth.com/retiree. For more on how FSBP works with Medicare generally and other options available, please visit https://www.afspa.org/fsbp-and-medicare/. To learn more about our upcoming events, go to www.afspa.org/events.

  • S17 · E5
    March 23 · 19 min

    AFSPA Talks Medicare PDP

    In 2026, FSBP changed its High Option prescription drug benefits. The result: many people are paying more out of pocket for their drugs. For those enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B, there is an option available to save money: the FSBP-Express Scripts Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). We revisit this program in today's episode with Tavares Johnson from Evernorth/Express Scripts. Tavares began his career at Express Scripts in 2008 as a Patient Care Advocate, where he gained valuable experience supporting members, pharmacists, and physicians. His dedication and problem-solving skills led to a promotion to Resolution Team Lead, a role in which he partnered closely with account management and clients to resolve complex member issues. In 2013, Tavares was promoted to Senior Account Manager, where he began working with Medicare Part D clients and deepened his expertise in Medicare products and services. His comprehensive understanding of both member and client needs has been instrumental in driving successful outcomes. In 2024, Tavares was promoted to Senior Manager on the EGWP Market Strategy team, where he leads strategic initiatives to support Employer Group Retiree plans. His leadership and industry insight continue to make a meaningful impact across the organization. To learn more about the PDP and opt in to the program, please visit www.afspa.org/pdp. To review PDP drug pricing, please visit: https://www.express-scripts.com/frontend/medicare-open-enrollment/fsbp. To review High Option drug pricing, please visit: www.express-scripts.com/fsbp Join us for AFSPA Live on March 26 at 11 am. You can submit your questions in advance, here: https://forms.office.com/r/wM8t8HqvDM Register for other upcoming events at www.afspa.org/events.

  • S17 · E4
    March 16 · 45 min

    AFSPA Talks Medicare and the FEHB in 2026

    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 13, 2026. 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/ Check out our events page here: www.afspa.org/events/.

  • S17 · E3
    February 23 · 32 min

    AFSPA Talks Retire Federal

    The last year has been marked by record numbers of federal employees retiring from service. Making the decision to retire is never simple, and the considerations for federal employees are unique from any other group. Luckily, there are uniquely qualified advisors available, including our guest for this episode: Tammy Flanagan. She joins us to talk about changes to the retirement process and how she and her colleagues at Retire Federal can help assess retirement readiness. Learn more about Tammy Flanagan's work: Retirement Planning column for Government Executive: https://www.govexec.com/topic/retirement-planning/ Work on Federal News Network: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/tag/tammy-flanagan/ Retire Federal: https://www.retirefederal.com/ Join us for AFSPA's Annual Meeting: https://events.zoom.us/ev/ApdnelInxPpOrUWwrwRtWQHK6tRGvr-131W5CrN1-ZmfJrNFNBRT~AoT4rcYlVLw2IItcnh0s9MRHkhw0RCH8bwljb9hCwAKV7cePVcMYvKyCRg Submit questions for AFSPA Live: https://forms.office.com/r/ePv8DKMtvd See more upcoming AFSPA events: www.afspa.org/events

  • S17 · E2
    February 17 · 27 min

    AFSPA Talks GEBA Wealth Management

    It's Financial Wellness February at AFSPA, and we're excited to highlight the expertise available from some of our partners. Federal employees' retirement and insurance needs are unique from those in the private sector, and that means they need advisors with unique expertise. Our partners at GEBA and GEBA Wealth Management offer just that. To tell us about their services, we're happy to welcome GEBA President and CEO Greg Klingler, MSM, CP, ChFEBC, CPFA. He will also be our guest on AFSPA Live at 11 am on Thursday, February 26. Learn more about the service available for AFSPA members at www.GEBA.com/afspa. Submit your questions for AFSPA Live here. See other upcoming events at www.afspa.org/events. Register for our Annual Meeting on March 6 here.

  • January 20 · 31 min

    AFPSA Talks Careington Discount Program

    Today, we kick off Ancillary January with a focus on our combined dental and vision discount program offered in partnership with Careington. Valerie DeBruin joins us to discuss how this program differs from insurance, both in the services provided and the cost to the member. Stay tuned to the end for a mention of the hearing discount program, too. For more information on all of our ancillary programs, please visit www.afspa.org/aip. For more on the discount programs discussed in today's episode, please visit www.careington.com/co/afspa AFSPA has a number of events planned for the weeks and months ahead. Learn more and register at www.afspa.org/events.

  • S16 · E16
    Dec 8, 2025 · 21 min

    AFSPA Talks Lyra Health

    Accessing mental health care can be a challenge. Outside the U.S., that challenge can at times be insurmountable. FSBP offers a program to help members around the world access counselors and other support to meet their behavioral, mental, and emotional health needs. Lyra Health is available to FSBP members outside the U.S. for counseling at no cost. Today, Karen Munson joins us to discuss this program and how members can access it. Visit https://fsbp.lyrahealth.com/ to register and begin accessing care. FSBP members can also call +44 33 00 241 021 for immediate assistance. You can download the Lyra Health app through the App Store or the Google Play Store. If you receive a request to enter the organization sponsoring your access to Lyra, please enter "FSBP". For more information on our various programs, please visit our video library at www.youtube.com/afspacares. Join us for future events at www.afspa.org/events.

  • S16 · E15
    Nov 17, 2025 · 34 min

    AFSPA Talks GLP-1 Requirements

    In today's episode, we discuss the updated requirements for GLP-1s for the Foreign Service Benefit Plan. Grace Silverio from Teladoc Health breaks down the new Advanced Weight Management Program required for FSBP members taking GLP-1s for weight loss in the U.S. It's Open Season! If you're looking for more information on the FSBP's premiums, plan changes, and more, click here. If you would like to register for an Open Season webinar, click here. Join us for AFSPA Live, a live Q&A session, on 11/20 @ 11 AM ET. We will be discussing the 2026 FSBP Open Season. If you would like to submit a question in advance, you can do so by filling out this form: https://forms.office.com/r/RApuq334NE. You can watch live on our YouTube channel @afspacares. Register for the Virtual Benefits Fair: https://vshow.on24.com/vshow/FVBF25/registration/24363

  • S16 · E14
    Nov 10, 2025 · 27 min

    AFSPA Talks Prescription Drug Coverage in 2026

    Today, AFSPA Talks Prescription Drug Coverage in 2026. For the first time in a decade, we're making changes to the cost shares for prescription drugs. Join us today to talk through the changes and understand what your costs will be in 2026. See the changes at www.afspa.org/openseason. Price your drugs at www.express-scripts.com/fsbp, and be sure to select 2026. For members who have opted in to the FSBP-Express Scripts Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, or PDP, there will be NO CHANGE to cost sharing. This means that most drugs will cost members less under the PDP. Combine these savings with a wider network of pharmacies and greater flexibility for where you can obtain your maintenance drugs, and this may be the year for members who have Medicare A and/or B to opt in to the PDP. See www.afspa.org/pdp for more details and a pricing tool. You may wish to watch this episode for the slides we share to show the changes. Find the video at www.youtube.com/afspacares. Join us for AFSPA Live, a live Q&A session, on 11/20 @ 11 AM ET. We will be discussing the 2026 FSBP Open Season. If you would like to submit a question in advance, you can do so by filling out this form: https://forms.office.com/r/RApuq334NE. You can watch live on our YouTube channel @afspacares. Register for the Virtual Benefits Fair: https://vshow.on24.com/vshow/FVBF25/registration/24363 Register for an Open Season Webinar: www.afspa.org/events

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