Federal Diary Live
Washingtonpost.com

Byline: Walton Francis

Trying to figure out your options in the 2006 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program? Looking for the best buy? Wondering if consumer-driven options and high-deductible plans with health savings accounts might be right for your family?

Walton Francis, chief author of Checkbook's 2006 Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees, joined The Post's Stephen Barr, who writes the Federal Diary column, to take your questions and comments on FEHBP Wednesday, Nov. 16, at noon ET .

The health guide is published by the Consumers' Checkbook, a nonprofit organization that also publishes Checkbook magazine. Francis is an economist and policy analyst who has testified before Congress on FEHBP and Medicare. He has degrees from Yale and Harvard and has worked at the Office of Management and Budget and in the office of the secretary for Health and Human Services.

FEHBP's open season for 2006 enrollments runs from Nov. 14 through Dec. 12.

The transcript follows.