Frequently Asked Questions Insurance

Outside of Open Season, you can make changes due to certain events, called qualifying life events (QLEs) The most common QLEs for changing enrollment type or plan are: marriage, acquiring a child, moving away from the area served by your Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), losing health insurance coverage, or changing employment status.

When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may not need FEHB coverage because the Medicare Advantage plan will provide you with many of the same benefits. You should review the Medicare Advantage Plan benefits carefully before making a decision to suspend or cancel FEHB coverage. You should contact your retirement system to discuss suspension and reenrollment.

During the first 12 months of LWOP, your FEGLI coverage continues. If you die during the first 12 months, OFEGLI uses the salary at the time of death to compute the benefit. For example:

Stan had Basic insurance only. He went on LWOP February 1, 2003. His salary at that time was $18,449. In September 2003, he got a within-grade increasing his salary to $20,849.00. He died November 15, 2003. Since he died during the first 12 months of LWOP, life insurance is payable. The basic salary used to compute the benefit is $20,849.00.

You can read the FEGLI Program Booklet for Federal Employees or for Postal employees) and review the FEGLI Handbook. Information on current premiums is available here. The FEGLI Calculator can help you figure out your coverage and premiums. Contact your human resources office if you have additional questions.

You need to complete the SF 2809 if you change your enrollment from Self and Family to Self Only or vice versa. For example, if you have Self and Family coverage and you plan to keep Self and Family coverage, you do not need to complete any forms. You must let the health plan know the date of the divorce so that your ex-spouse can be removed from your enrollment. If you have Self and Family coverage and you now plan on enrolling in Self Only coverage, you must notify your Human Resources Office. You will have to complete an SF 2809.

Yes, you may change your FEHB enrollment to any available plan or option at any time beginning 30 days before you become eligible for Medicare. You may use this enrollment change opportunity only once. You may also change your enrollment during the annual Open Season, or because of another event that permits enrollment changes (such as a change in family status).

If the union agrees to adopt our plan, premium conversion may apply to Federal employees on LWOP to work for a union.

Your life insurance coverage continues for up to 12 months in a LWOP or nonpay status. You do not have to pay any premiums while you are on LWOP unless you are receiving benefits from the Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs. The life insurance ends at the end of the 12 months with a 31-day extension of coverage and a right to convert to an individual policy.