Dear AFSPA Member,
As we begin a new year, I want to take a moment to thank you for the trust you place in us to support your health and well-being. Our commitment to serving you goes beyond providing coverage. It means continually improving how you access care, manage your health, and stay informed. In this message, I would like to share several important updates, including our new theme for 2026, heart health initiatives for American Heart Month, and enhancements designed to make your experience with us easier and more efficient.
New Theme for 2026
Your health and well-being will always be our top priority. As the world continues to evolve through new technologies, we are committed to thoughtfully embracing innovation that simplifies your journey, strengthens your connection to care, and supports better health outcomes. Our focus is not on
technology for technology’s sake, but on using the right tools to serve you more effectively and personally.
With this commitment in mind, our 2026 theme is Better Tools: Better Health. It represents our promise to continue investing in smarter solutions that empower you, improve access, and help you navigate your health with greater confidence, today and in the years ahead. This theme also reflects our commitment to listening to your feedback and using it to make the tools we offer even better. These efforts are already underway as we continue improving the EncircleRx program. Your health and peace of mind remain our top priority. Be sure to subscribe to our social channels and follow our news updates to stay connected and informed.
American Heart Month
I invite you to participate in National Wear Red Day on February 6 by wearing red to help raise awareness about heart disease. In line with our 2026 theme, Better Tools: Better Health, this day is a reminder that having the right tools can make a meaningful difference in your heart health. From managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar to staying active and avoiding smoking, small steps, supported by the right resources, can lead to lasting change.
The Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP) offers heart-healthy programs that combine trusted care with digital technology. These include programs like our Digital Coach Programs and the Remote Hypertension Monitoring Program, which offer personalized support designed to help members build healthier habits, track progress, and stay motivated, wherever you are.
1095-B Tax Document
You can request a hard copy of this document via the AFSPA Member Portal by mid-February. The 1095-B tax document is not required to file your tax return but should be kept in your 2025 tax file. If you have any questions about this form, please email enrollment@afspa.org.
AFSPA Member Portal Claim Submission Update
I am pleased to introduce an update to our claim submission experience. Two new dropdown menus have been added to the claim submission page in the AFSPA Member Portal to help make submissions easier and more accurate.
These menus allow you to quickly select the procedure performed and the related diagnosis, helping reduce errors and speed up claim review. If the option you need isn’t listed, simply select “Other” and enter the information manually to ensure your claim is complete.
By streamlining how information is submitted, these enhancements are designed to reduce delays, limit follow-up requests, and improve processing times. We remain committed to investing in tools that make managing your benefits simpler and more efficient. If you need assistance, our support team is always available to help.
FSBP Member Satisfaction Survey
To ensure we are providing the best member experience, FSBP partners with the Center for the Study of Services (CSS) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) —independent organizations that specialize in measuring health care quality.
In the coming weeks, some members will be invited to take part in a Member Satisfaction Survey, also known as the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Survey. This survey gives you the opportunity to share your experience with your health care and your health plan. The survey focuses on your health care experience over the last 12 months. Please answer the survey questions from a stateside health care perspective unless the survey specifically asks about care received overseas. Because only a small number of members are selected, your participation in this survey is especially important.
Lastly, you can continue to connect with us and learn more about our offerings through our blogs, podcast, social media platforms, and our events page on our website. Also, don’t forget to join our live Q&A sessions every last Thursday of the month as we answer your questions about our coverage and benefits.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. We encourage you to continue prioritizing your heart health by making informed, healthy choices and staying on track with regular check-ups and preventive care. Together, let’s remain focused on our well-being and commit to making healthier choices.
To Better Health,
Kyle Longton, CAE, REBC
AFSPA, CEO
