Best AFSPA Podcasts (2025)

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AFSPA Talks Lyra Health 21:17

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17d ago21:17

21:17

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…

1
AFSPA Talks GLP-1 Requirements 34:48

1M ago34:48

34:48

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 c…

1
AFSPA Talks Prescription Drug Coverage in 2026 27:26

2M ago27:26

27:26

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…

1
AFSPA Talks 2026 Open Season 29:13

2M ago29:13

29:13

November has begun, and that means that the start of open season is only a week away. We've got your preview of open season changes in today's episode. Be sure to follow us for further updates, as we'll be diving deeper into some of the benefit changes in the weeks ahead. Join us for a live event to learn more about our open season changes. See you…

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AFSPA Talks Menopause 20:04

2M ago20:04

20:04

October is Menopause Awareness Month. In this week's episode, we discuss the symptoms of Menopause and how it can affect daily life for women. We are joined by Shardae Jackson, Senior Manager of Client Success at Maven Clinic. Maven Clinic has a Menopause and Midlife Health program that focuses on treatment for menopause stages and symptoms. To lea…

1
AFSPA Talks Women's Pelvic Health 27:46

3M ago27:46

27:46

Pelvic health issues can emerge in a variety of ways at any age. Often, people experiencing these issues assume that such problems are just a fact of life and do not discuss their concerns or seek treatment. Our goal for today's episode is to break down some of the taboos surrounding pelvic health issues and provide a solution from our partners at …

1
AFSPA Talks 2ndMD 22:44

4M ago22:44

22:44

Today, we answer the question of what to do when facing a serious diagnosis. Where do you turn and when? What are the next steps? FSBP members in the United States can access an expert second opinion program from 2ndMD. Nurse Kim Rebec joins us to talk about the ins and outs of this service, which is available at no charge to FSBP members in the U.…

1
AFSPA Talks Breastfeeding 29:25

4M ago29:25

29:25

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Mary Rood Cunningham, a Senior Client Success Manager at Maven Clinic, and Dr. Viraj Radia, a pediatrician with Maven Clinic, join us to discuss breastfeeding's benefits, best practices, and obstacles. To learn more about Maven Clinic and to join at no cost for FSBP Members around the globe, check out www.ma…

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Re-Release of AFSPA Talks Skin Cancer 31:35

5M ago31:35

31:35

For this week's episode of AFSPA Talks, we revisit an episode from July 2023 about Skin Cancer. Now that it is summertime, we know that many of our listeners will be spending time in the sun. Skin cancer is the most common cancer. To help us understand more about skin cancer, we had Leah B. Jacobson, Sr. Medical Director at Aetna join us. You can s…

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Re-Release of AFSPA Talks Support for LGBTQ+ Youth 52:48

6M ago52:48

52:48

Happy Pride! For this week's episode, we wanted to share some information that would be helpful to members who have contacted us with questions about care and support for their children who are exploring their identities. We went back into our archive, and we're sharing an episode with Alyssa Clayden, PhD, LICSW, from the Truman Group that we origi…

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AFSPA Talks The Truman Group 31:38

7M ago31:38

31:38

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The recent changes to the federal workforce and the uncertainty that continues for many have resulted in mental health concerns for many with ties to federal employment - employees and family members alike. Stress, anxiety, fear, anger, and worry are all understandable reactions, but you do not have to face the…

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AFSPA Talks Chronic Care Management 26:27

8M ago26:27

26:27

In this episode of AFSPA Talks, we continue our conversation from Annual Meeting about weight loss, cardiovascular health, and diabetes management. Today's focus is on Chronic Care Management Programs. To tell us more about those programs, we have Grace Silverio from Teladoc Health. For more information about the Chronic Care Management Programs av…

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AFSPA Talks Lifestyle and Condition Coaching 27:52

9M ago27:52

27:52

This month, AFSPA Talks takes a look at some of the support programs available to members of the Foreign Service Benefit Plan. To begin, we'll discuss the Lifestyle and Condition Coaching (LCC) program with Dr. Vivian Ogueli and Leah Perry, RN. They offer details on how to complete a health risk assessment (HRA) and earn $75 in wellness incentives,…

1
AFSPA Talks Medicare and the FEHB in 2025 1:05:14

9M ago1:05:14

1:05:14

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 h…

1
AFSPA Talks Japan Pilot Program 24:48

11M ago24:48

24:48

Two years ago, access to on-base care for Department of Defense civilians changed, which had a particular impact on those living and working in Japan. Since then, DoD leaders have been working on a program to support the needs of civilian employees in Japan. That program launched at the beginning of this year, and we wanted to know more about how i…

1
AFSPA Talks Tips for New Members 21:31

11M ago21:31

21:31

With Open Season over and a new year underway, hosts Kyle Longton and Maddie Norton use the first episode of 2025 to provide tips for the 10,000 new FSBP members and the more than 100,000 continuing members. Here are links to the resources they mentioned during this episode: AFSPA Website: www.afspa.org Online Portals for FSBP Members (including de…

1
AFSPA Talks 2025 Open Season 28:43

1y ago28:43

28:43

It's November, which means Federal Benefits Open Season is almost here. Today, Maddie and Kyle discuss health insurance, dental and vision insurance, and flexible spending account options before diving into changes for the Foreign Service Benefit Plan for 2025. This is just the start of AFSPA's Open Season work. Please find more information at www.…

1
AFSPA Talks Life Insurance for Millennials 23:41

1+ y ago23:41

23:41

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM), and we are kicking things off with a focus on millennials. With our guest, Nicole Devlin from Prudential, we discuss the needs of this population and why now might be the best time for them to consider this important part of their financial portfolio. This episode is just the start of a busy month…

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AFSPA Talks Navigating Back to School 1:12:28

1+ y ago1:12:28

1:12:28

It’s August, and for many families, that means preparing for a return to school. This can be a challenge for kids and parents. Changing routines, decreasing free time, and, for many of our members, new locations can make for bumpy August and September. Our guests today, working from Brightline Health, will provide some strategies for families to ea…

1
AFSPA Talks Overseas Telehealth Services 33:40

1+ y ago33:40

33:40

In this episode, we talk with John McQuillan from Teladoc Health UK. He walks us through the care and consultation options available to Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP) members outside the U.S. for general medical and mental health needs. He offers some examples that will be familiar to many of our members worldwide. These benefits are branded a…

1
AFSPA Talks Support for LGBTQ+ Youth 49:30

1+ y ago49:30

49:30

It's Pride Month, and we're talking with Alyssa Clayden, PhD, LCSW. She first joined us in 2021 to discuss support for LGBTQ+ youth, and we're exploring the same topic in this episode. Our focus is on how parents and other family members and allies can support children and adolescents who are exploring their identities in terms of sexual attraction…

1
AFSPA Talks Mental Health Coaching 27:51

1+ y ago27:51

27:51

May is mental health awareness month. Just as many factors can influence our mental health, there are a variety of support programs and treatment options to explore. Today, we welcome Jennifer Pertofsky-Plotnek, LCSW-C, CDCES, NCB-HWC. She is currently the Director of Coaching at Teladoc Health. Jennifer talks us through the differences between cou…

1
AFSPA Talks Medicare PDP FAQs 19:34

2y ago19:34

19:34

In this episode, AFSPA CEO Kyle Longton, CAE, REBC addresses some of the most frequent questions AFSPA has received about the FSBP Express Scripts Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, or PDP. While he touches on some basics of the PDP, you can learn more about the specific PDP benefits from our October 23, 2023 podcast and our November 30, 2023 AFSPA L…

1
AFSPA Talks Medicare and the FEHB 50:46

2y ago50:46

50:46

In this 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 Medica…

1
AFSPA Talks Freedom Fertility Pharmacy 26:51

2y ago26:51

26:51

With this episode, we continue our February focus on fertility. For some people receiving treatment for diagnoses of infertility, prescription drugs can account for half the costs of their treatment. Ensuring on-time delivery of the drugs, understanding how to administer them, and having a resource for understanding the side effects are key to one'…

1
AFSPA Talks Contraception Coverage 9:37

2y ago9:37

9:37

Our focus for the month of February is on fertility. We'll have more content later this month about the enhanced infertility coverage under the Foreign Service Benefit Plan for 2024. Today, though, we are talking about coverage for contraception. All of the information in the podcast comes from Sections 5a, 5b, and 5f and Section 7 of the 2024 FSBP…

1
AFSPA Talks Virtual Primary Care 30:51

2y ago30:51

30:51

In this episode of AFSPA Talks, we discuss a new solution from Teladoc. Lisa DeLarso joins us to share about Virtual Primary Care. Primary360 is a virtual primary care solution that inspires lasting relationships between people and care providers through longitudinal care plans, continuous care team support, and a unified, whole-person experience. …

1
AFSPA Talks Maven 33:00

2y ago33:00

33:00

To kick off our 2024 podcasts, we have an episode focused on one of the new programs available to FSBP members: Maven Clinic. Maven is a comprehensive virtual care platform providing critical support across fertility, pregnancy, adoption, parenting, pediatrics, and ongoing care including all stages of menopause. This program became available to FSB…

1
AFSPA Talks 2024 Open Season FAQs 22:58

2y ago22:58

22:58

With today's episode, we address the most frequently asked questions on open season. A panel of AFSPA experts joins to provide answers and clarity on changes for 2024. For more information on open season, please visit www.afspa.org/openseason To contact the infertility prior approval line, call 1-800-593-2354. To contact the Plan's fertility advoca…

1
AFSPA Talks Open Season 2024 28:16

2y ago28:16

28:16

Today, Kyle and Maddie discuss the 2024 open season with a particular focus on the improvements under FSBP. In particular, their discussion focuses on: Increases in the allowance for alternative benefits: massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic services; Expansion in the coverage of infertility services; and The new Medicare Part D Prescription Drug…

1
AFSPA Talks ADHD 40:53

2y ago40:53

40:53

There are an increasing number of diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in both children and adults. Despite the prevalence of this diagnosis, many do not understand this condition. Today, we welcome a health coach from Brightline Health who will walk through the basics of ADHD including behaviors, symptoms and treatments. Ou…

1
AFSPA Talks Medicare Prescription Drug Plans 41:57

2y ago41:57

41:57

Beginning in January 2024, many Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) plans will be offering a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) to their members. The Foreign Service Benefit Plan will be among them. This program will result in savings for our members aged 65 and older. Join us for a detailed discussion of PDPs generally and the spec…

1
AFSPA Talks Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program 31:07

2y ago31:07

31:07

In 2021, we offered an episode diving into the various options that are available for long-term care insurance. Shortly after we aired that program, the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIS or LTCFEDS) stopped accepting new applications and enrollments and changes to existing enrollments, and the stoppage is expected to last through at …

1
AFSPA Talks Women's Pelvic Health 31:09

2y ago31:09

31:09

Today, AFSPA welcomes Dr. Kandis Daroski, PT, DPT, to our show to discuss a new offering from Hinge Health: their Women's Pelvic Health program. Dr. Kandis talks through common pelvic floor issues and how they manifest themselves and how they are typically treated (or more commonly not). She then talks through the innovative solution offered for tr…

1
AFSPA Talks Back to School Mental Health 40:21

2+ y ago40:21

40:21

For many of us, the end of August means a return to school. That transition can come with a number of changes and challenges. Today, we explore some of the mental health challenges that may arise and how parents can promote mental wellness for their kids of all ages. Jodi Harris, LCSW, of Active and Connected Family Therapy brings her unique experi…

1
AFSPA Talks Skin Cancer 35:23

2+ y ago35:23

35:23

Skin cancer is the most common cancer and 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime. As we spend more time in the sun due to summertime, it is important to know the different types of skin cancer, how to prevent it, and what treatments are available. To help us understand more about skin cancer, we have Leah B. Jacobson, Sr. Medi…

1
AFSPA Talks Travel Insurance 27:33

2+ y ago27:33

27:33

It's summer, and for many of us, that means some travel. These days, travel is rarely without some interruption or challenge, and there's help available when the unexpected becomes inevitable. AFSPA's Sr. Director for Ancillary Insurance Programs Adrienne Seabrooks joins us to help demystify travel insurance and tell us what to look for when consid…

1
AFSPA Talks Autism Awareness 23:35

2+ y ago23:35

23:35

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…

1
AFSPA Talks Mental Health, Women’s Health, and More 18:04

2+ y ago18:04

18:04

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.afs…

1
AFSPA Talks Infertility Awareness 46:25

2+ y ago46:25

46:25

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 assist…

1
AFSPA Talks COVID-19 Three Years Later 50:17

2+ y ago50:17

50:17

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 …

1
AFSPA Talks About More Than Health 25:15

3y ago25:15

25:15

This week we shift our focus from FSBP to everything else AFSPA does. Sr. Dir. 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. For more information about AIP offerings, visit…

1
AFSPA Talks Welcome to FSBP 38:11

3y ago38:11

38:11

This week, we have an episode that may be of particular interest to the 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: https://www.afspa.org/f…

1
AFSPA Talks Care in Japan 15:20

3y ago15:20

15:20

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…

1
AFSPA Talks Support for New Year's Resolutions 36:24

3y ago36:24

36:24

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 …

1
AFSPA Talks We'll Be Back on January 23rd 3:44

3y ago3:44

3:44

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…

1
AFSPA Talks Health Habits during the Holidays 19:31

3y ago19:31

19:31

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 …

1
AFSPA Talks Open Season FAQs 30:10

3y ago30:10

30:10

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 …

1
AFSPA Talk's ART Procedure 38:28

3y ago38:28

38:28

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 wha…

1
AFSPA Talks FSBP-Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan 20:13

3y ago20:13

20:13

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 Be…