Peace Corps, Office of Contracts, Rm. 6368, 1990 K St. N.W., Washington, DC 20526

99 -- RETURNED PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS (RPCVS) HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM SOL RFP PC-98-8 DUE 072398 POC Kimberley M. Atsalinos, (202) 606-9510 The Peace Corps (PC) is soliciting proposals on a full and open competitive basis from qualified vendors for Post-Service Health Insurance coverage to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) similar to that which is available under Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) (5 U.S.C. 8905a). The Peace Corps will enroll all Volunteers at close of service (COS) and will pay the first month's premium on their behalf. The Peace Corps anticipates the award of a firm fixed price (unit price) contract for a period of one year with four, one-year options. Contract award is anticipated in November 1998. All Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) undergo extensive medical screening prior to service and conditions traceable to their time in service are covered under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA). All PCVs are considered "employed" 24 hours a day, 7 days per week for the purpose of access to FECA benefits. Thus, all service-related conditions, with or without associated disability, are eligible for FECA benefits as the primary payer. In addition, in the first 180 days after COS, the Peace Corps, through a voucher system, pays for evaluation of any medical conditions which are unresolved at the Volunteer's close of service. Offerors shall propose a health insurance program structured to be a secondary payer to both FECA and Peace Corps post-service benefits. Approximately 3,200 Volunteers close service annually. This number could expand to 5,000 per year over the next few years. Certain provisions are essential and must be included in any proposed RPCV Post-Service Health Insurance Plan. These are: major medical up to $1,000,000; no pre-existing condition exclusions; coverage to be available for 18 months after COS, and a minimum of 29 months for disabled RPCVs; guaranteed issuance to all qualified Volunteers, including spouses and dependents, effective on the date they end their service; worldwide coverage including all 50 US states; emergency medical transportation from anywhere in the world; and premiums, deductibles and co-payments which meet or exceed the requirements of an FEHB/TCC plan. Offerors shall detail the benefits structure of the plan and provide a copy of the proposed insurance contract between beneficiary and insurer. Offerors shall identify all circumstances where the proposed policy is not excess of FECA, i.e.: for pre-existing conditions which are not exacerbated, aggravated or accelerated by PC service; for illness or injury sustained in the United States during service while Volunteer is not on Peace Corps business (home leave, emergency leave); and for illness or injury sustained after COS. The program shall be experience-rated, premiums recalculated after 24 months experience. If a provider network or other managed care arrangement is proposed, provide details about service network. Peace Corps will pay for the first month's premium for all eligible PCVs. Subsequent premiums must be elected and paid by the individual RPCV. Proposals must imposeminimum administrative burden upon the Peace Corps and will emphasize simplicity in management of enrollment and eligibility procedures. Offerors shall propose an administratively feasible method of enrolling RPCVs for participation taking into account that the RPCV may not return to the U.S. immediately following COS. Offerors shall include in their proposals approaches to the following procedures for consideration by the Peace Corps: a process for payment of the first month's premium by the Peace Corps to the insurer; a process for identifying whom is a beneficiary and "activating" coverage; a process for notifying RPCVs of their health insurance benefits; a process for notifying RPCVs of the need to pay premiums after first month's coverage; and a process for allowing RPCVs to deduct premiums for months two and three from their readjustment allowance (RA) (Peace Corps will consider this as a feature of the program ONLY if it does not represent an administrative burden to the Agency). Those interested in receiving this RFP should send a request to Kimberley Atsalinos on company letterhead by fax to (202) 606-3009. Telephone requests will not be honored. Peace Corps will respond to requests for the RFP received by June 30, 1998. The issuance date of the RFP is anticipated to be June 23, 1998. A Pre-Proposal Conference is planned. Details concerning this conference will be provided in the RFP when issued. (0159)

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