Best AFSPA Podcasts (2024)

1
AFSPA Talks Overseas Telehealth Services 33:40

1h 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

1M 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

2M 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

4M 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

5M 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

5M 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

6M 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

6M 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

6M 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

8M 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

9M 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

9M 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

9M 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

10M 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

10M 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

11M 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

1y 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

1y 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
What Happens Years After a Cyclone Hits? (ft. Ruhie Kumar & Surabhi Gajbhaye) 1:23:29

1y ago1:23:29

1:23:29

Cyclones are a characteristic feature of the Indian coastline and every year we see a few cyclones create severe damage to the east as well as the west coast. As we deal with the havoc left by Cyclone Biparjoy, on this episode of The Big Story, we want to understand what happens to the communities, people, and their livelihoods once they are rehabi…

1
Can AI Revolutionise Mental Healthcare? Experts Answer (ft. Dr. Samir Parikh and Dr. Megha Gupta) 1:12:21

1y ago1:12:21

1:12:21

Are AI apps the future of mental health support? Can these applications truly understand and address the complexities of our emotional well-being? What can a user expect when they get on such an application? And perhaps the most provocative question of all—can AI truly replace human therapists? Join us as we unravel the captivating potential of AI …

1
The Truth About HEATWAVES & Climate Change in India (ft. Aditya Pillai) 1:21:52

1y ago1:21:52

1:21:52

Heatwaves. Literally and metaphorically the “hottest” topic in climate change research. While heatwaves are becoming more and more common in India, are they still dismissed without proper knowledge? More than what we can as individuals do to save ourselves, what is being done at national and international levels? Have we understood it enough and ar…

1
AFSPA Talks Autism Awareness 23:35

1y 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
Karnataka Results Analysis: Hindutva, Corruption & Local Leaders 37:27

1y ago37:27

37:27

What will be the consequence of Congress’ victory in the Karnataka elections? What are the prominent factors that lead to BJP’s setback in the south? What issues mattered to the voters? We are joined by Fatima Khan, principal correspondent with The Quint who was on the ground in the run-up to the elections, and Aditya Menon, our political editor to…

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

1y 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
Are We Spending More Money Because of UPI? (ft. Ateesh Tankha) 1:21:51

1y ago1:21:51

1:21:51

In this episode of The Big Story, our hosts Anjali and Prateek talk about money. Now, we don't have a lot of money, but we do have a lot of questions about money. About UPI, precisely. Are we spending more money because of UPI? How does UPI make money? And is UPI just another startup that'll eventually flop? Because it used to give us so many freeb…

1
AFSPA Talks Infertility Awareness 46:25

1+ 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
Understanding the Problems with the Indian Education System (ft. Ratna Vishwanathan and Neeti Bhalla Saini) 1:27:52

1+ y ago1:27:52

1:27:52

Do you sometimes look back at your schooling years and wonder if its changed at all? Do you wish you were taught differently? Have you ever considered the role a child’s environment plays in their education? And how different really are government schools from a private school? We know, education has become such a dynamic phenomenon that it’s hard …

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

1+ 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
Will Microplastics Enter the Human Brain? (ft. Shreya Sharma & Sadhika Tiwari) 55:26

1+ y ago55:26

55:26

Did you know microplastics are intentionally added in our products? Or the fact that neither non- vegetarians nor vegetarians are safe from microplastics being found in their food? And why did we discuss Plankton from SpongeBob SquarePants? We bet you’re curious! So, on this episode of The Big Story, we attempt to uncover the truth about microplast…

1
Jaggery, Keto, and Other Food Myths Debunked (feat. Krish Ashok & Dr. Priyanka) 1:18:36

1+ y ago1:18:36

1:18:36

Have you been wondering if you should switch from white sugar to jaggery? Is fast food actually harmful? Do diets like Keto and Paleo work? In this episode of The Big Story, we try to find the answers. We discuss the changing food habits of young people in India with special guests Krish Ashok, a food influencer and author of 'Masala Lab', and Dr. …

1
AFSPA Talks About More Than Health 25:15

1+ y 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
How Media Trials Weaken Journalism & Judiciary (feat. Satish Maneshinde & Manisha Pande) 1:04:14

1+ y ago1:04:14

1:04:14

In the second episode of The Big Story, our hosts, Anjali and Prateek discuss media trials with Manisha Pande, the Executive Editor of Newslaundry, and Satish Maneshinde, a lawyer with more than forty years of experience. Media trials involve using the press and television to create a public opinion about an accused individual, which may influence …

1
AFSPA Talks Welcome to FSBP 38:11

1+ y 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
We Are Worried About The Wrong AI (feat. Shamim Mokles & Anupam Guha) 1:02:53

1+ y ago1:02:53

1:02:53

If you've spoken to a friend or a colleague for over an hour in the past month, it is highly likely that the words Artificial Intelligence (AI) have come up. While we have been hearing about these technologies for a while, there are some new AI tools which have blown up in the social media world. Cases in point – Chat GPT, DALL-E, Mid Journey and m…

1
The Big Story 2.0 (Trailer) - New Hosts, New Formats, Bigger Stories 1:04

1+ y ago1:04

1:04

The Big Story is back with a second season! The news culture of our times is noisy, crowded, and honestly so confusing. This is why we are coming every fortnight on your podcast platforms to help you make sense of the new and now. With two new hosts, Anjali and Prateek, the second season of The Big Story will feature longer and well-rounded discuss…

1
AFSPA Talks Care in Japan 15:20

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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…

1
AFSPA Talks Open Season 24:27

1+ y ago24:27

24:27

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 …

1
AFSPA Talks TherapEase Cuisine 14:56

2y ago14:56

14:56

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 …

1
AFSPA Talks Cancer Support Programs 10:23

2y ago10:23

10:23

On this episode, AFSPA Talks Cancer Support Programs.By AFSPA

1
AFSPA Talks Breast Cancer Awareness 52:34

2y ago52:34

52:34

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 an…

1
AFSPA Talks Federal Retirement Planning 31:48

2y ago31:48

31:48

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-complicate…

1
AFSPA Talks Financial Planning and Wealth Management 26:48

2y ago26:48

26:48

This week AFSPA Talks 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 Discl…

1
AFSPA Talks MASHUP - Life Insurance 28:37

2y ago28:37

28:37

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.By AFSPA

1
AFSPA Talks Children's Behavioral Health 39:13

2y ago39:13

39:13

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 interventi…

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