AFSPA Talks Podcast
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AFSPA Talks
AFSPA Talks is an informational and educational podcast by the American Foreign Service Protective Association (AFSPA), featuring Chief Operating 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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Season 1 Episodes
AFSPA Talks Mental Wellness, Better Speech & Hearing, Behavioral Health, Dental Care & Benefits, LGBTQ+ Youth, and FSBP Wellness Incentives
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Season 2 Episodes
AFSPA Talks Back to Elementary School, Back to Middle School, Back to School, Opioid Use Disorder, Chronic Pain Management, and Life Insurance Awareness Month
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Season 3 Episodes
AFSPA Talks Breast Cancer Awareness & Second Opinions, Virtual Behavioral Support for Kids, Diabetes, Open Season, Healthy Pregnancy, the Senior Living Foundation, Long Term Care, and Holiday Health and Coaching
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Season 4 Episodes
AFSPA Talks New Year's Resolutions, Medicare and the FEHB, Medicare, Tricare and the FEHB, & Medicare Advantage Plans, Virtual Overseas Second Opinion
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Season 5 Episodes
AFSPA Talks AIP, Discount Care Programs, Life and AD&D, and Financial Wellness
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Season 6 Episodes
AFSPA Talks Infertility and Mental Health, Family Formation Journeys, Overseas Care, How FSBP Works Overseas, Telehealth Overseas
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Season 7 Episodes
AFSPA Talks Newborn Children's Health, Summer Break, Children's Behavioral Health
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Season 8 Episodes
AFSPA Talks MASHUP - Life Insurance, Financial Planning and Wealth Management, Federal Retirement Planning
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Season 9 Episodes
AFSPA Talks Breast Cancer Awareness, Cancer Support Programs, TherapEase Cuisine
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Season 10 Episodes
AFSPA Talks Open Season, FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan, ART Procedure, Open Season FAQs, Health Habits During the Holidays
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Season 11 Episodes
AFSPA Talks We'll Be Back on January 23rd, Support for New Year's Resolutions, Care in Japan, Welcome to FSBP, About More Than Health
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Season 12 Episodes
AFSPA Talks COVID-19 Three Years Later, Infertility Awareness, Mental Health, Women's Health, and Autism Awareness
AFSPA Talks Season 1 Episodes
Episode 1
AFSPA Talks Mental Wellness with Dr. Julia Hoffman
In this first ever episode, AFSPA COO, Kyle Longton leads Dr. Julia Hoffman from Teladoc® through a discussion of how people are coping with COVID, parenting in this time of uncertainty, and dealing with trauma and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Then, the two dive in to the intersection of technology and mental health, specifically with the app myStrength™.
Episode 2
AFSPA Talks Better Speech and Hearing Month with Patty Greene
In recognition of Better Speech & Hearing Month, AFSPA COO, Kyle Longton talks with Patty Greene from TruHearing about the signs and symptoms of hearing loss, the importance to getting a hearing test, and hearing benefits from the Foreign Service Benefit Plan. Stay tuned and subscribe to hear more!
Episode 3
AFSPA Talks Behavioral Health with Dr. WIlliam Gillis
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton brings us through a discussion of behavioral health with Senior Clinical Director of Aetna, Dr. William Gillis. The two talk mental health trends throughout the COVID pandemic, virtual care, and the AbleTo program which is available to members of the Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP). Stay tuned and subscribe to hear more!
Episode 4
AFSPA Talks Dental Care and Benefits
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton brings us through a discussion of dental care and benefits with guests Dr. Wayne Silverman and Mark Haraway of Dominion National. Dr. Wayne Silverman has more than 30 years of dental consulting, teaching and private practice experience. Mark Haraway has been in the dental benefits industry for more than 26 years.
Episode 5
AFSPA Talks LGBTQ+ Youth
In this episode of AFSPA Talks we celebrate pride month as COO Kyle Longton brings you through a discussion of LGBTQ+ youth with Alyssa Clayden of the Truman Group. Listen in as Kyle and Alyssa cover everything from the coming out process for children, to parents’ reactions to their children’s identities, to gender dysphoria, and more.
Episode 7
AFSPA Talks FSBP Wellness Incentives with CEO Paula Jakub
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton brings us through a discussion of Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP) incentives with AFSPA’s CEO, Paula Jakub. Paula and Kyle talk about all the incentives offered to FSBP members, with an emphasis on the Simple Steps to Living Well Together program and other wellness programs.
AFSPA Talks Season 2 Episodes
Episode 1
AFSPA Talks Back to Elementary School
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, AFSPA COO Kyle Longton brings us through a discussion of going back to the classroom with elementary school teacher Kara Rosenfeld. Kara and Kyle talk about the challenges facing children and parents returning to the classroom amidst the pandemic, the benefits of schooling in person, and more.
Episode 2
AFSPA Talks Back to Middle School
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton brings us through another back to school discussion, this week with middle school teacher Annitra Smith-Lincoln. Learn about what going back to the classroom was like last year for middle schoolers, and what it will look like this year as we continue to battle COVID-19.
Episode 3
AFSPA Talks Back to School with KidsHealth's Dr. Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton finishes out our “Back to School” series by bringing us through a discussion of going back to school this year with pediatrician Dr. Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, a contributor to KidsHealth. The two talk about preventative care for children, KidsHealth, and returning to the classroom amidst a pandemic.
Episode 4
AFSPA Talks Opioid Use Disorder
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton brings us through a discussion on opioid use disorder with pharmacist Katherine Lurk and clinical psychologist Becky Parker. The three take an in depth look at the opioid epidemic, removing the stigma surrounding opioid overdoses, how to get help if you’re struggling with opioid misuse, and more.
Episode 5
AFSPA Talks Chronic Pain Management
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton brings us through a discussion of chronic pain management with Hinge Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jeff Kraus. The two discuss chronic pain, the affects of working from home, how chronic pain relates to one’s mental wellness, and more.
Episode 6
AFSPA Talks Life Insurance Awareness Month and the Office of Casualty Assistance
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton brings us through a discussion of Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM) and the State Department’s Office of Casualty Assistance (OCA). Kirk Leach, Director of the OCA, joins Kyle for this episode on life insurance and personal contingency planning.
AFSPA Talks Season 3 Episodes
Episode 1
AFSPA Talks Breast Cancer Awareness & Second Opinions
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton brings us through a discussion of breast cancer and getting a second opinion with PinnacleCare’s Clinical Director, Jeff Weaver.
Episode 2
AFSPA Talks Virtual Behavioral Support for Kids
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton brings us through a discussion of virtual behavioral support for kids with Brightline’s Medical Director, Dr. David Grodberg.
Episode 3
AFSPA Talks Diabetes
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton brings us through a discussion of diabetes with Teladoc Health’s Director of Clinical Products, Dr. Tejaswi Kompala.
Episode 4
AFSPA Talks Open Season with CEO Paula Jakub
Episode 5
AFSPA Talks Healthy Pregnancy
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton brings us through a discussion on healthy pregnancy with Dr. Joanne Armstrong, Chief Medical Officer for Women’s Health and Genomics at CVS Health. Kyle and Dr. Armstrong talk about preparing for pregnancy, advice for while you’re pregnant, and post-pregnancy tips.
Episode 6
AFSPA Talks the Senior Living Foundation
In this episode of AFSPA Talks we hear from the Senior Living Foundation’s caregiving webinar.
Episode 7
AFSPA Talks Long Term Care
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton brings us through a discussion on Long Term Care for Long Term Care Awareness Month. For this episode, Kyle is joined by Linda Tsironis Caruthers, founder and CEO of Long-Term Care Consultants.
Episode 8
AFSPA Talks Open Season Part 2
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, Hannah Wohlfahrt brings us through a discussion of Open Season with COO Kyle Longton. Kyle answers questions that come up during Open Season and goes over Foreign Service Benefit Plan changes and enhancements for 2022.
Episode 9
AFSPA Talks Holiday Health and Coaching
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton discusses staying healthy throughout the holiday season with Dr. Jonathan Rubens, Chief Medical Officer of ActiveHealth Management. Senior Director Leah Briggs also joins the conversation to give us more information on Lifestyle and Condition Coaching and how a coach can help you stay on track this holiday season.
AFSPA Talks Season 4 Episodes
Episode 1
AFSPA Talks New Year's Resolutions
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton takes us through a discussion of how AFSPA can help you with your 2022 new year’s resolutions. Listen in as Kyle discusses wellness incentives, wellness programs, and more!
Episode 2
AFSPA Talks Medicare & the FEHB
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, CEO, Paula Jakub brings us through a discussion on Medicare and the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, and how they work together.
Episode 3
AFSPA Talks Medicare, Tricare, & the FEHB
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO, Kyle Longton discusses Medicare, Tricare, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, and how they work together with special guest, Rear Adm. Christine Hunter (Ret.), MD Former Chief Medical Officer, OPM Co-Chair, NCQA Committee on Performance Measurement, and Paula S. Jakub, RHU, AFSPA CEO.
Episode 4
AFSPA Talks Medicare Advantage Plans
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO, Kyle Longton has an in-depth discussion on Medicare Advantage Plans and how they work together with the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and commercial plans, with John H. Ficaro, Vice President of Aetna Group Retiree & De-Risking Solutions. This is the last episode of our “Focus on Medicare” podcast series.
Episode 5
AFSPA Talks Virtual Overseas Second Opinion
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO, Kyle Longton has an in-depth discussion with Dr. Peter Rasmussen, MD, Chief Clinical Officer at The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic and Susan Scott, Director of Client Services at The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic about our special partnership with Cleveland Clinic for the overseas virtual second opinion program.
AFSPA Talks Season 5 Episodes
Episode 1
AFSPA Talks AIP: Intro to AIP Month
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO, Kyle Longton and Adrienne Seabrooks, Director of Ancillary Insurance Programs at AFSPA, talk about some of the unique AIP programs AFSPA offers. This is a preview of four episodes in our “Focus on AIP” podcast series coming up which include discount care programs, Critical Illness vs. Disability insurance, Life insurance, and Financial Wellness.
Episode 2
AFSPA Talks Discount Care Programs
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton talks about AFSPA’s Discount Care Program. Valerie DeBruin, VP of Network Operations for Careington and Dr. Joan Waldron discuss the discount plans – their value and how they work. Dr. Waldron also provides great information about the important of preventative dental care. For more information on AFSPA’s Discount Care Program, click here.
Episode 4
AFSPA Talks Life Insurance and AD&D
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton talks about Life Insurance. Do you know the differences between term, whole, and universal life insurance? Nina Matias from Prudential does, and she’s back to share her expertise. This time, she talks about life and AD&D insurance. Find out about evolutions in the types of plans available and what considerations to take into account when deciding your coverage needs.
For information about AFSPA’s life insurance plans, please visit www.afspa.org/life.
Episode 5
AFSPA Talks Financial Wellness
As we wrap up our focus on AFSPA’s AIP options, Vishal Jain from Prudential joins us to discuss Financial Wellness. Learn about the connections between financial and mental wellness and how Prudential’s Financial Wellness Program – available at no cost to all AFSPA members – can help you manager your daily spending, pay down debt, and plan for the future.
For more information about this program, click here.
If you missed our first AFSPA Live episode, please visit: www.youtube.com/afspacares
AFSPA Talks Season 6 Episodes
Episode 1
AFSPA Talks Infertility and Mental Health
AFSPA Talks kicks off a month-long focus on infertility and family formation with a focus on the mental health. Experiencing challenges conceiving, facing a diagnosis of infertility, and considering ways to expand your family including ART procedures and adoption have effects beyond physical health. They can cause depression and anxiety, put strain on relationships, and more. Our guest today, Alicia Janik, PsyD, addresses the broad effects of infertility and family formation on our mental health.
Episode 2
AFSPA Talks Family Formation Journeys
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, members of the Foreign Service community join to share their journeys with growing their families. Their stories of adoption, IVF, and surrogacy highlight the challenges and joys that each family experienced. In celebration of Pride Month, we are proud to feature stories from the LGBTQ+ community about their Family Formation Journeys. Thank you to glifaa (Gays, and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs agencies) for their help in putting this episode together.
Episode 3
AFSPA Talks Overseas Care
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, we kick off a month-long focus on overseas care. State Department Chief Medical Officer Larry Padget joins us to talk about the work of the Bureau of Medical Services (MED). Learn about the structure of a mission’s Health Unit, the work of regional medical officers and medical providers, and the basics of a MEDEVAC situation. MED serves as the medical home for tens of thousands, and Dr. Padget provides an inside look for the rest of us.
Episode 4
AFSPA Talks FSBP Overseas Care
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, we continue our theme of overseas care by focusing on the benefits, programs, and service offered through the Foreign Service Benefit Plan. AFSPA CEO Paula Jakub walks through a bit of the history of the Plan before diving into coverage, special features, and unique ways in which AFSPA supports its overseas members. Later, Sr. Director of Compliance Stefon Nicely provides an overview of the AFSPA’s partnerships with overseas providers.”
Episode 5
AFSPA Talks Telehealth Overseas
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, AFSPA COO Kyle Longton interviewed with John McQuillan, General Manager, Insurance-UK, Teladoc Health. The two discussed the overseas telehealth options available to FSBP members through vHealth. They delved into general medicine, mental health, and even the logistics of how visits work and the outcomes of members who have used the program in the past. Stayed tuned at the end for the full benefit information or visit https://vhealth-teladochealth.com/en to register for the program.
AFSPA Talks Season 7 Episodes
Episode 1
AFSPA Talks Newborn Children's Health
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, we begin our month-long conversation about children’s health care. This episode include excerpts from past episodes where COO Kyle Longton talk to pediatric experts about the beginning stages of children’s health care – from preparing to welcome a child into your family, to the importance of well-child visits, recommended vaccines, and where to get resources.
The Foreign Service Benefit Plan covers well-child visits and CDC recommended children vaccines at 100% when seen by an in-network provider. Visit afspa.org/fsbp for more information.
Visit kidshealth.org for resources on children’s health care.
Episode 2
AFSPA Talks Summer Break
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, we take a break to prepare for future podcast episodes. In the meantime, feel free to listen to any of our past episodes! We look forward to sharing a brand new episode with you next week on August 22!
Visit afspa.org/podcast for our past episodes or listen on your favorite podcast streaming platform.
Episode 3
AFSPA Talks Children's Behavioral Health
On this episode, AFSPA Talks Children’s Behavioral Health with Alison Stoner and Honora Einhorn, two senior clinical managers with Brightline Health. They discuss ways parents and caregivers can support healthy behavioral emotional and social development, the effect of COVID on kids of all ages, signs that may indicate a need for care or intervention, and the network of care professionals in a child’s life. They also spend time talking about Brightline and the three-tiered approach this new FSBP partner offers.
Learn more about Brightline at www.hellobrightline.com/fsbp.
AFSPA Talks Season 8 Episodes
Episode 1
AFSPA Talks MASHUP - Life Insurance
On this episode of AFSPA Talks, we combined two of our previously recorded episodes about Disability, Critical Illness, and Life Insurance. September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. If you’re interested in learning even more about life insurance, check out our blog at afspa.org/blogs.
Episode 2
AFSPA Talks Financial Planning and Wealth Management
On this episode of AFSPA Talks, COO Kyle Longton talks about Financial Planning and Wealth Management with Greg Klingler, COO and VP, Wealth Management at GEBA. Greg holds a number of designations and licenses, including Certified Financial Planner, Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor, and the Chartered Federal Benefits Consultant Designation. You can learn more at www.gebawealth.com.
Episode 3
AFSPA Talks Federal Retirement Planning
In this episode of AFSPA Talks, federal benefits expert, Tammy Flanagan, joins AFSPA COO Kyle Longton, to talk about the importance of retirement planning and the work she does at Retire Federal. She walks through the broad considerations for any federal employee as they consider their future after retirement before diving into the often-complicated topic of life insurance within the FEGLI program.
AFSPA Talks Season 9 Episodes
Episode 1
AFSPA Talks Breast Cancer Awareness
In this episode, we kick off a month-long focus on breast cancer awareness. Melissa Wolf, MS, NP-C, AOCNP, joins us. As an Assistant Medical Director for PinnacleCare, she brings her expertise to provide an introduction to breast cancer: what do we mean when we say cancer, risk factors, early detection and prevention, treatment options, and when and how to get a second opinion. Melissa also will be our guest for AFSPA Live on October 27 at 11 AM ET.
Episode 2
AFSPA Talks Cancer Support Programs
In this episode, AFSPA Talks Cancer Support Programs. Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is never easy, but with the help of cancer support programs that include medication management, holistic options, and more, there is a plan in place for how to move forward.
Episode 3
AFSPA Talks TherapEase Cuisine
In this episode, we continue our month-long focus on breast cancer with an examination of nutritional needs while undergoing cancer treatment. Kerry Coughlin, RD, CSO and Rebecca Philipps, PharmD join us to discuss this topic and support available from TherapEase Cuisine, a program available to patients who fill their cancer medications at Accredo Specialty Pharmacy.
To learn more and enroll in the program, visit www.TherapEaseCuisine.com
AFSPA Talks Season 10 Episodes
Episode 1
AFSPA Talks Open Season
In this episode, COO Kyle Longton takes you through some general information about the upcoming open season before focusing on the Foreign Service Benefit Plan. Learn what’s staying the same for 2023 and what enhancements are coming in the new year – including new benefits and incentives focused on maternal health, coverage for ART procedures, and a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Check out www.afpsa.org/openseason for more information and a schedule for our Open Season live webinars. We hope you can join us to have your questions answered.
Episode 2
AFSPA Talks FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan
This week, we offer a preview of our new FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan, a new option within FSBP for members with Medicare Parts A and B. Learn about the special features in this plan, including Silver Sneakers and
Part B premium reductions of up to $900 per year. Also, gain an understanding of how this plan differs from the Foreign Service Benefit Plan you know already.
Use the following resources to make an informed choice and find out if the FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan is for you:
General Open Season Webinars:
www.afspa.org/events
AFSPA Open Season Information:
www.afspa.org/openseason
Information on the FSBP-Aetna
Medicare Advantage Plan:
www.fspbhealth.com/retiree
Webinars on the FSBP-Aetna Medicare
Advantage Plan: www.fsbphealth.com/webinars
FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan
Questions: call 1-866-241-0262
Monday through Friday, 8 am to 8 pm ET
AFSPA Talks Episode on Medicare Advantage Plans:
https://afspatalks.buzzsprout.com/1756283/10104318-afspa-talks-medicareadvantage-plans
Episode 3
AFSPA Talks ART Procedure
In 2023, AFSPA is offering coverage for ART procedures under the Foreign Service Benefit Plan for the first time. Today we delve into not only this coverage but also causes of infertility and the various treatments, including ART procedures. OB/GYN Jordan Pritzker, MD, MBA, FACOG, joins us to share his expertise in this area and talk us through what individual might experience as they seek to grow their families.
For more information on infertility and mental health and personal family formation journeys, scroll back to our June episodes in your feed.
Episode 4
AFSPA Talks Open Season FAQs
With only one week left of open season, host Kyle Longton turns to some of his colleagues for help answering your most frequent questions. We touch on general information about FEHB, FEDVIP, and FSAFEDS before digging into FSBP wellness incentives and ending with a lightening round on the FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Program. Some of the websites discussed in this episode include:
FEDVIP information: www.benefeds.com
FSAFEDS: www.fsafeds.com
FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan: www.fsbphealth.com/retiree
FSBP Open Season Information: www.afspa.org/openseason
AFSPA Open Season Webinars: www.afspa.org/events
Episode 5
AFSPA Talks Health Habits During the Holidays
The holidays are upon us, and they bring with them tasty treats and stress. Managing our health this time of year can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. To provide some ways to be kind to ourselves while remaining healthy this holiday season, we welcome Grace Silverio, BSN, CDCES, RN, MSN, Director of Solution Strategy for Teladoc Health and a subject matter expert for chronic conditions.
For more information on Livongo chronic condition solutions, visit https://www.get.livongo.com/fsbp
For more on the wellness programs available to FSBP members, visit https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/wellness-programs/.
AFSPA Talks Season 11 Episodes
Episode 1
AFSPA Talks We'll Be Back on January 23rd
Happy New Year! AFSPA Talks is taking a quick break on doing a full episode this week, but we’ll be back in two weeks with a full episode airing on Monday, Jan 23rd where we’ll be talking about the post-holiday blues and the wellness programs we offer to help Foreign Service Benefit Plan members and their dependents. This includes programs like our digital coaching and our Lifestyle and Condition Coaching Program, so stay tuned!
Don’t forget to join us for our AFSPA Live broadcast on our YouTube channel @afspacareson Thursday, Jan 26that 11:00am ET where we will be answering your questions about the new FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan which we started offering this year
Episode 2
AFSPA Talks Support for New Year's Resolutions
Happy New Year! In our first AFSPA Talks episode of 2023, AFSPA COO and host, Kyle Longton, discusses some common New Year’s resolutions and the programs AFSPA offers to help you keep them. You can find a full outline of the Foreign Service Benefit Plan wellness programs at https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/wellness-programs/.
For more information on the Financial Wellness Program, click here.
Episode 3
AFSPA Talks Care in Japan
Recent changes in access to military treatment facilities (MTFs) have had an outsize effect on DoD civilians in Japan. This episode reviews coverage and programs available to members in Japan – and in many cases around the world – and how to access these benefits.
For more information about vHealth, please visit https://vhealth-teladochealth.com/en.
For more information about Livongo chronic condition support, visit get.livongo.com/FSBP
For a list of our overseas direct billing partners, visit https://www.afspa.org/fsbp/overseas/.
Episode 4
AFSPA Talks Welcome to FSBP
On this episode of AFSPA Talks, Kyle Longton welcomes 1,700+ new enrollees who joined FSBP during open season: an overview of the Plan and how it works. We also included a bit about the changes for 2023 for long-time members. Learn more about some of the features mentioned in this episode:
- Changes for 2023
- FSBP Wellness Programs
- FSBP Prescription Drugs Coverage
- FSBP Overseas Care
- Contact a nurse care manager at 800-593-2354
Episode 5
AFSPA Talks About More Than Health
This week, we shift our focus from FSBP to everything else AFSPA does. Sr. Director of Ancillary Insurance Programs Adrienne Coleman-Seabrooks provides an overview of our other offerings, from insurance to professional services. Listen for a special announcement about our Group Enhanced Life (GEL) program.
AFSPA Talks Season 12 Episodes
Episode 1
AFSPA Talks COVID-19 Three Years Later
Today, we bring you something a bit different than our typical episode. It was just over three years ago, in March 2020, when COVID-19 profoundly changed life for most of us. The last three years had profound effects on healthcare around the world – how it’s delivered, how data is used, and how we approach issues at a population level.
Dr. Timothy Foggin of Teladoc Health Canada brings his experience and expertise in family medicine, population health, and international healthcare management to this topic. The discussion covers issues of population health, pandemic preparation, telehealth, and the future of care delivery.
Episode 2
AFSPA Talks Infertility Awareness
A recent WHO study concluded that 1 in 6 adults around the world experiences infertility in their lifetime. Procedures for diagnosing and treating infertility have come a long way in recent decades, and health insurance coverage around these procedures continues to evolve. In 2023, the Foreign Service Benefit Plan ( FSBP) offered coverage of assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures for the first time.
In this episode, we share with you again an interview with Dr. Jordan Pritzker on the topics of infertility and treatment initially shared in December 2022.
- FSBP Prior approval for ART procedures – 800-923-2220
- FSBP Fertility Advocate – 833-415-1709
- Institutes of Excellence (IOE) Infertility Providers – www.aetnainfertilitycare.com
Episode 3
AFSPA Talks Mental Health, Women's Health, and More

This week, we bring you an overview of health topics for the month of May: Mental Health Awareness Month, Blood Pressure Awareness Month, Better Speech and Hearing Month, and Women’s Health Week. There are a number of programs mentioned in this episode, and here are links to those:
- AFSPA’s events calendar: www.afspa.org/events
- AFSPA’s blog: www.afspa.org/blogs
- myStrength: www.mystrength.com – access code FSBP
- AbleTo: www.AbleTo.com
- Brightline: www.hellobrightline.com/FSBP
- Teladoc (U.S.): www.teladoc.com/Aetna
- vHealth (overseas): www.vhealth-teladochealth.com/en
- Truman Group: https://trumangroup.com/
- Livongo: http://get.livongo.com/FSBP
- Lifestyle and Condition Coaching Program: www.myactivehealth.com/FSBP
- Hearing Aid Discount Program: www.afspa.org/aip – Discount Care Programs
Episode 4
AFSPA Talks Autism Awareness

This episode has been in the works for more than a month. April was Autism Awareness Month. Approximately 1 in 36 people are diagnosed with autism, but many of us understand little about the diagnosis. Today, Heather Buzbee of Brightline Health joins us to share her experience as a practitioner and a parent and help us understand this condition. In this interview, we learn about diagnoses, the uniqueness of each person diagnosed with autism, prevalent struggles faced by people with autism, and more.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a brief discussion of mental illness and suicidality in this episode.
Learn more about Brightline Health at www.hellobrightline.com/fsbp
For support with autism and other needs, contact the FSBP Care Management Team at 1-800-593-2354.