Benefits - New Employees - Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB)
The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program makes health insurance available to all eligible permanent full-time and part-time federal employees and certain temporary intermittent and seasonal employees if working a full-time schedule. *The program
allows eligible employees to choose among many plans and options. To help you make an informed decision concerning your health insurance coverage review the information available on the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM's) FEHB website.
*A full time work schedule for certain temporary intermittent and seasonal employees is defined as a schedule in which the employee is working at least 60 hours biweekly.
The key features of FEHB:
- As a new employee you may enroll in FEHB within 60 days of the effective date found on your hire/confirmation letter (not necessarily your first day at work). To enroll complete and submit your health benefits election form (Standard
Form 2809) to the Benefits Service Center within the 60-day window. (Refer to the Important Information link for specific submission instructions.) If you do not enroll during your initial 60-day window you will be able to
enroll during the next annual Open Season or upon experiencing a Qualifying Life Event (QLE).
- Open Season for health insurance is held in November and December each year and permits you to enroll or change your previous election. QLEs may allow you to enroll in or change your health insurance coverage outside of an Open Season. Examples
of QLEs include marriage' divorce' loss of coverage under your spouse's policy' and loss of coverage for a child under the other parent's policy. There are specific time limits for enrolling or changing your enrollment due to QLEs' so contact the Benefits Office as soon as you anticipate that you might have a special life event.
- FEHB coverage is usually effective at the beginning of the pay period after the enrollment form is received by the Benefits Office. Note that your health insurance carrier may not process your enrollment for 4-6 weeks AFTER the effective date. If you need health care services before you have received your enrollment package from your carrier' you may have to pay out of your own pocket for those services. You can request reimbursement of your out-of-pocket expenses from your carrier after you receive your enrollment package.
- Available FEHB enrollment options include Self Only Self Plus One and Self and Family. The Self Plus One option allows you to elect coverage for you and one designated eligible family member. The Self and Family option provides coverage for you
and
all eligible family members. For enrollment purposes a family member is defined as your spouse and/or a child under age 26. For more information on eligibility requirements review the guidelines at the OPM FEHB website.
- Your share of the FEHB premium is deducted from your bi-weekly salary.
- Premium conversion (using “pre-tax” dollars to pay for FEHB premiums) is automatic if you enroll in FEHB. Being enrolled in premium conversion is usually a benefit because it lowers your taxable income but also imposes
some additional enrollment restrictions. These restrictions include not being able to cancel your FEHB enrollment or to decrease to a Self Plus One or Self Only plan without experiencing a QLE. If you do not wish to be enrolled in premium
conversion' you may waive participation. Contact the Benefits Service Center to discuss how. For more information on premium conversion' visit https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/reference-materials/#url=Premium-Conversion.
- When you retire you can continue your FEHB coverage into retirement at the same cost you are paying as an employee if you have been enrolled in the FEHB Program for the five years immediately before retirement