HEALTH BENEFITS

The Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHB) is one of the most valuable benefits of Federal employment, but coverage is not automatic - you must make a health coverage election in order to be covered. Although you have 60 days to make your election, it is to your advantage to make this election as soon as possible in order to be covered in case of accident or illness.

Life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, and others qualify you for changes to health insurance coverage. The changes must be made within 31 days before and up to 60 days after the event.

Your health insurance premiums are considered non-taxable; this is known as FEHB Premium Conversion. You must waive participation if you prefer to have your health insurance premiums taxed.

If you do not wish to participate in FEHB-PC you must sign a waiver form electing not to participate. The waiver form must be submitted at the time of your FEHB enrollment. You may request a copy of the waiver form by calling The Benefits Line or by printing the Waiver form, 12890/24. After this initial opportunity to waive premium conversion coverage as a new employee, you will only be able to change whether you participate in FEHB-PC during an FEHB open season or if you have a qualifying life event.

New and rehired employees
As a new or rehired employee, you must elect health insurance to be covered. You have 60 days from the effective date of your new appointment to sign-up for a health insurance plan. If you don't make an election, you are considered to have declined coverage and you must wait until the next open season to enroll, unless you experience a qualifying life event.

NOTE: Enrollment is not retroactive, and cannot be made effective the day you enter on duty, as you must have been in a pay status during some part of the pay period which precedes the one in which your enrollment becomes effective. Once this requirement has been met your enrollment will become effective on the first day of the first pay period that begins after you submit your enrollment through the EBIS. You cannot be reimbursed for any medical expenses incurred prior to the effective date. You need to consider this when canceling any other health insurance coverage you may already have, and for scheduling of doctor visits or tests. You can obtain a copy of the SF 2809, Health Benefits Election Form in EBIS (available online until the election is effective), to use as proof of insurance until you receive your enrollment card from the health carrier.

Transferring employees
If you transfer from a duty station within the United States to a duty station outside the United States, or the reverse, you have from 31 days before leaving the old duty station to 60 days after arriving at the new duty station to elect to enroll or change to a new health plan. If a transfer within the United States moves you outside of the servicing area of your HMO, you may elect a new health plan upon notifying your employing office of the move. Contact The Benefits Line if you need more information. Your enrollment or change is effective the first pay period that begins after you submit your enrollment election through EBIS.

Part-Time employees
If you are a part-time career employee, the Government contribution toward your health benefits is prorated in proportion to the percentage of full-time service you are regularly scheduled to perform. During each pay period in which your FEHB enrollment is in effect, you are responsible for paying all premiums in excess of the Government contribution, usually 25% of the total premium. If you are a part time employee, you can contact The Benefits Line (choose menu option #4) for specific information about the cost of your FEHB depending upon your work schedule.

Go to the FEHB-PC webpage on the CBIC for more information.