Reg Jones
This week I’m beginning a sequence that covers the 2 most-used insurance coverage packages for federal staff and retirees, the Federal Staff Well being Advantages Program (FEHB) and the Federal Staff Group Life Insurance coverage Program (FEGLI). In every case I’ll describe this system because it applies federal staff. I’ll comply with that with an outline of the way it applies to retirees.
Who can enroll?
The FEHB program is open to almost all federal and postal staff. Your first alternative to enroll is inside 60 days from the both the date on which you’re employed or the date on which you first change into eligible. You can also enroll through the annual open season as described beneath; this yr it should run November 9-December 14.
Are there any particular situations that should be met?
No. Protection is offered with out your having to get a bodily examination. And there aren’t any ready durations earlier than you possibly can obtain advantages.
How a lot does it value?
The premium value is cut up between you and the federal government, with the federal government offering the lion’s share—on common, about 70 p.c. Premiums are decrease for Postal Service staff due to union agreements which have them shouldering even much less of the fee. Nevertheless, that subsidy ends once they retire. Then they pay the identical quantity as different staff and retirees.
Vary of plan selections
As a result of there are practically 250 organizations offering advantages, you possibly can decide a plan or stage of protection that meets your wants and your pocket guide. Whereas most plans are supplied by well being upkeep organizations (HMOs), others are fee-for-service plans, a lot of that are open to anybody. Others are proved by worker organizations, which normally require that you just be a member of that group.
Enrollment choices
Whenever you enroll within the FEHB program, you could have three selections: Self-Solely, which offers advantages for you alone; Self Plus One, which offers advantages for you and one eligible member of the family; and Self and Household, which offers advantages to you and all eligible relations.
The time period “eligible family member” means your partner, together with a standard legislation marriage partner acknowledged within the state the place you reside, and kids beneath age 26. Within the latter case, an exception is made if the kid is incapable of self help due to a psychological or bodily incapacity that started earlier than age 26.
Open Season
Anybody enrolled within the FEHB program can change plans or choices through the annual Open Season. And anybody who hasn’t enrolled can enroll on the similar time.
Beneath sure circumstances, you can too enroll or change plans or choices when a “qualified life event” happens, for instance a change in household standing similar to marriage or the delivery of a kid.
FEDVIP to Add Plans; No Phrase But on FEHB Choices
Understanding the Variations between FEHB and FLTCIP
FEHB Concerns for These Who Have—or Are Eligible for—Different Well being Protection
ask.FEDweek.com: FEHB – Federal Worker Well being Advantages
FERS Retirement Information 2020
