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Frequently Asked Questions Insurance

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Health

  • What do Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirees have to do to change health insurance coverage? View more
    During the annual Open Season, OPM sends Open Season material to all those enrolled in the FEHBP plus those who have suspended their enrollments to enroll in a Medicare-sponsored plan approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), formerly the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) and to enroll in TRICARE.
    • OPM provides Open Season Express, an operator supported toll-free telephone service for retirees to call to request brochures, health benefits satisfaction surveys, and make enrollment changes using telephone technology. The phone number is 1 (800) 332-9798.
    • OPM also provides an interactive Open Season website at retireefehb.opm.gov/.
    • There are other events that allow retirees or their survivors to make enrollment changes -- such as a move out of the service area of an HMO, enrollment in Medicare, or a change in marital status. These events are given in the FEHB Handbook. During the year, annuitants should call OPM on the toll-free number 1-888-767-6738, TDD for the hearing impaired 1-800-878-5707, or send email to retire@opm.gov. Annuitants in the Washington DC local calling area should dial (202) 606-0500, or (202) 606-0551 for the hearing impaired.
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  • Can I use Employee Express to make changes to my FEHB enrollment outside of the Open Season? View more
    Yes, if you experience one of the following Qualifying Life Events: You are enrolled in a FEHB Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and you (or a covered family member) move or become employed outside the geographic area from which your FEHB carrier accepts enrollments; (or, if already outside this area, you move further from this area); You lose coverage due to discontinuance in whole or part of your FEHB plan; You experience a change in your family status. (Family status changes include marriage, legal separation, divorce, death of spouse or dependent, loss of coverage by your last dependent child.)
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  • Can a retiree apply for a flexible savings account under the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS)? View more
    No.  By law, annuitants are not eligible for FSAFEDS.  For more information, please refer to the FSAFEDS Summary of Benefits.
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  • How would I get a waiver of the 5-year coverage requirement to continue health benefits into retirement? View more
    You must request a waiver of the five-year requirement from OPM. The steps you must take are given in the FEHB Handbook at Waiver of 5-Year Enrollment Requirement - Waiver of 5-Year Enrollment Requirement. If your agency has buyout authority, you may not need to write to the OPM. If you think you might qualify for a waiver of the 5-year coverage requirement, contact your Human Resources Office for information. If you meet the requirements, your agency will attach a memorandum to your retirement application stating that you meet the requirements for waiver by the OPM.
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  • If I request a copy of my medical records, am I required to pay for the copies? View more
    The Privacy Rule permits OPM to impose reasonable, cost-based fees. The fee may include only the cost of copying (including supplies and labor) and postage, if you request that the copy be mailed. We expect to charge an amount similar to that used for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
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  • My spouse who is a Federal employee and I have one child. We are separating. Will I be covered during the separation? View more
    As long as your spouse has a Self and Family enrollment and you are still married to your spouse, you will be covered under the enrollment. Your eligibility for coverage under your spouse's Self and Family enrollment will cease after a divorce or annulment. You may, however, be eligible for FEHB coverage under either the Spouse Equity provisions or the Temporary Continuation of Coverage provisions of the law. You would be enrolled in your own right and would pay both the Government and employee shares of the premium yourself.
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  • What should I do if I change my mind and want to cancel a change? View more
    You can't cancel a change. You can, however, make another change, using Employee Express. You can change most discretionary personnel and payroll transactions such as direct deposit, Federal and state tax withholdings, savings bonds, etc. at any time. Changes to FEHB and TSP are generally limited to Open Season. During FEHB Open Season, you may change your enrollment and/or waive or begin participation in premium conversion at any time up until the last day of Open Season. Employee Express will process only the last transaction.
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  • If my agency does not pay my FEHB premiums, what amount am I responsible for? View more
    If your agency does not pay your premiums, you must pay the employee's share of the premium during the first 12 months of coverage (just as any other employee on leave without pay). You must pay both the employee and government shares, plus an administrative charge of 2 percent of the total premium, for up to 12 additional months that you continue your coverage while on military duty.
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  • What if I am covered under CSRS Offset? View more
    Under CSRS offset, your Social Security benefits would be slightly reduced, but your CSRS Offset benefits would be increased by almost the same amount. Participating in premium conversion is most likely a benefit to you.
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  • When will the new health insurance rates be available? View more
    Each year OPM releases the new health insurance rates about a month prior to the FEHB Open Season. The FEHB Open Season runs from the second Monday in November through the Second Monday in December. The new rates are generally released by mid-October at http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/rates/index.asp.
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