Healthcare Benefits
Pay is only part of the compensation you’ll earn working for the federal government. The federal government’s health insurance system is considered to be one of the best available. If you are young and healthy, this may not seem like an important job perk, but a great health insurance plan can make a huge difference to your well being and finances should you ever need to rely on it. Unlike with most companies, you'll also have the option to pick from several plan choices so you aren't stuck with something that doesn't fit your personal health situation.
Health Insurance
The federal government’s health insurance program is a nationally recognized model. To best meet your individual health care needs, the federal government offers you a wide variety of health insurance plans for you to choose from. A Flexible Spending Account program to allow you to pay for certain medical costs, including plan premiums, with pre-tax dollars is also available. At least a dozen plan choices are available to each employee, which allows you to select the plan that best meets your individual health care needs. While specific benefits vary among plans, none of them impose a waiting period or require a medical exam to enroll.
The federal government also offers a long-term healthcare program and two different life insurance programs. For more information, visit http://www.opm.gov/insure.
Additional Medical and Maternity Leave Benefits
Care for a Family Member
As a federal employee you are entitled to 13 days of paid sick leave for general family care purposes. This leave may also be used for all appointments, trips, etc. related to the adoption of a child. If a family member is seriously ill, you may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, but the 13 days of sick leave for family care purposes are included in the 12 week period.
Organ and Bone Marrow Donation
You may take 7 days of paid sick leave for bone marrow donation and up to 30 days to recover from being an organ donor.
Maternity Leave
You may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth of a child.