AFSPA Office Closed on Friday, July 31
The AFSPA Office will be closed on Friday, July 31, for staff training and development. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, August 3.
Dear AFSPA Member,
As summer winds down, many of our members are taking advantage of the season to travel, prepare for a new school year, or transition to a new assignment. This month, I encourage you to join me in taking a few steps to protect your health, your loved ones, and your important member information. Whether you’re planning international travel, ensuring your family’s vaccinations are up to date, or preparing for a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), AFSPA is here to support you every step of the way.
If you have upcoming travel plans, particularly overseas, I encourage you to review the latest travel advisories at travel.state.gov before you depart. The U.S. Department of State also offers a helpful travel checklist to help you prepare and make informed decisions.
AFSPA offers five travel insurance plans with a variety of coverage options to help protect you while you’re away from home. We also offer Member of Household (MOH) Insurance, a unique medical travel plan designed for eligible loved ones who are not covered under your Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plan and are traveling outside their home country to visit you for an extended period. Enrollment is available year-round, so you can choose coverage whenever you need it. Visit afspa.org/moh to learn more. In addition, listen to one of our recent podcast episodes where we discuss our travel insurance options and MOH here.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a reminder of the important role vaccines play in protecting people of all ages. It’s an ideal time to schedule annual physicals, well-child visits, and any recommended vaccinations for you and your family. Following the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule helps protect children from serious and highly contagious diseases, including measles and whooping cough.
The Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP) covers annual physicals, well-child visits, and routine immunizations at 100% when received from a U.S. in-network or an overseas provider. In addition, FSBP members ages 18 and older can earn a $100 wellness reward after completing their annual physical and biometric screening. I encourage you to take advantage of these valuable preventive care benefits.
For many of our members, summer also means it’s PCS season. As you prepare for your next assignment, please remember to update your mailing address, telephone number, and email address in the AFSPA Member Portal.
Your employing agency or retirement office does not automatically share updates to your contact information with AFSPA. Keeping your information current helps ensure you continue receiving important plan communications, member resources, and benefit updates without interruption.
More Members Are Prioritizing Mental Health
Mental and behavioral health services represented the largest driver of the Plan’s (FSBP) healthcare trend from 2024 to 2025, increasing 23.3%. In 2025, FSBP processed claims for 116,111 virtual behavioral health visits – an average of more than one visit for every person covered by the Plan. Whether you need support for stress, anxiety, depression, or everyday life challenges, no-cost virtual care is available through Teladoc Health (in the U.S.) or Lyra Health (outside the U.S.).
Global Drug Prices Are Impacting Healthcare Costs
Many FSBP members overseas help reduce costs by filling their prescriptions at local retail pharmacies where medications are often less expensive than in the United States. While this continues to provide value for both members and the Plan, FSBP’s spending on overseas prescription drugs has been climbing in recent years, with a 51.7% increase in 2025. This trend is being driven by rising medication costs worldwide and increased utilization of prescription medications.
We’re committed to helping you make the most of your benefits throughout the year. I encourage you to stay connected through our blogs, weekly podcasts, educational webinars, newsletters, and social media channels, where you’ll find timely health information, benefit updates, and practical resources designed specifically for our worldwide membership.
Thank you for your continued trust in AFSPA. It is our privilege to serve you and support your health and well-being wherever life takes you.
To Better Health,
Kyle Longton, CAE, REBC
CEO, AFSPA
