Health

When will my Open Season change to the new coverage be effective? View more

The effective date of the Open Season change is the first day of the first full pay period in January. For annuitants this date will always be January 1.
How well did this answer your question?
- 0%
- 25%
- 50%
- 75%
- 100%
Submit
Submitting rating...
Thank you for your feedback!
[x] Close

An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
Please try again later.
[x] Close
I'm eligible to enroll in TRICARE's Uniformed Services Family Health Plan. Can I suspend my FEHB coverage to use this program? View more

Yes, if you are eligible for this TRICARE program, you can suspend your FEHB coverage.
How well did this answer your question?
- 0%
- 25%
- 50%
- 75%
- 100%
Submit
Submitting rating...
Thank you for your feedback!
[x] Close

An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
Please try again later.
[x] Close
Can I Reenroll in FEHB If I Disenroll From the Medicare Advantage Plan? View more

If you provide documentation to your retirement system that you are suspending your FEHB coverage to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may reenroll in FEHB if you later lose or cancel your Medicare Advantage plan coverage. However, you must wait until the next Open Season to reenroll in FEHB, unless you involuntarily lose your coverage under the Medicare Advantage plan (including because the plan is discontinued or because you move outside its service area). In this case, you may reenroll from 31 days before to 60 days after you lose the Medicare Advantage plan coverage, and your reenrollment in FEHB will be effective the day after the Medicare Advantage plan coverage ends (or ended).
How well did this answer your question?
- 0%
- 25%
- 50%
- 75%
- 100%
Submit
Submitting rating...
Thank you for your feedback!
[x] Close

An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
Please try again later.
[x] Close
I am going to retire soon. What are the requirements to continue health benefits into retirement? View more

A. In order for you to continue your health benefits enrollment into retirement, you must: (1) be entitled to retire on an immediate annuity under a retirement system for civilian employees (including the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) + 10 retirement; and (2) have been continuously enrolled (or covered as a family member) in any Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program plan(s) (not necessarily the same plan) for the five years of service immediately before the date your annuity starts, or for the full period(s) of service since your first opportunity to enroll (if less than 5 years). The 5 year requirement period can include the following: the time you are covered as a family member under another person's FEHB enrollment; or the time you are covered under the Uniformed Services Health Benefits Program (also known as TRICARE) as long as you were covered under an FEHB enrollment at the time of your retirement.
How well did this answer your question?
- 0%
- 25%
- 50%
- 75%
- 100%
Submit
Submitting rating...
Thank you for your feedback!
[x] Close

An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
Please try again later.
[x] Close
I am currently in a health maintenance organization (HMO). I am retiring and will be moving to another state in the next few months. Will I be covered after I move? View more

You will be covered only for emergency care. Unless your HMO has a "reciprocity" agreement with a plan in your new area that allows you to get routine care, you must travel back to your HMO for care, or change plans. You can change plans anytime after moving; contact your retirement system.
How well did this answer your question?
- 0%
- 25%
- 50%
- 75%
- 100%
Submit
Submitting rating...
Thank you for your feedback!
[x] Close

An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
Please try again later.
[x] Close
When must I apply for Spouse Equity coverage? View more
You must apply within 60 days of:
- the date your marriage ended, or
- the date the employing office notified you that your qualifying court order (or your former spouse's election) entitled you to coverage, whichever is later.
How well did this answer your question?
- 0%
- 25%
- 50%
- 75%
- 100%
Submit
Submitting rating...
Thank you for your feedback!
[x] Close

An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
Please try again later.
[x] Close
I am separating or divorcing from my spouse, an annuitant. Can my spouse drop me from his or her health insurance plan without notice? View more

Yes. Spouses of federal annuitants are covered under a family enrollment in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program during the divorce process and during a legal separation. Spouses of annuitants lose eligibility for FEHB coverage when the divorce is final. Former spouses of annuitants can apply for coverage in the FEHB Program under the Spouse Equity or Temporary Continuation of Coverage provisions of the FEHB law. Former spouses of annuitants must contact the annuitant’s retirement system within 60 days after the divorce to apply.

For more information on divorce after retirement, please visit http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/faq/divorce.asp.
How well did this answer your question?
- 0%
- 25%
- 50%
- 75%
- 100%
Submit
Submitting rating...
Thank you for your feedback!
[x] Close

An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
Please try again later.
[x] Close
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.
How well did this answer your question?
- 0%
- 25%
- 50%
- 75%
- 100%
Submit
Submitting rating...
Thank you for your feedback!
[x] Close

An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
Please try again later.
[x] Close
Where can Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) annuitants get answers to other questions about retirement benefits? View more
- OPM's Office of Retirement Programs website. The site provides various categories of information including the questions most frequently asked by annuitants and survivor annuitants.
- During the year, you may request information such as verification of annuity or the value of life insurance as well as make changes to your own retirement account, such as federal and state income tax withholding changes, by calling 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. The automated telephone system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How well did this answer your question?
- 0%
- 25%
- 50%
- 75%
- 100%
Submit
Submitting rating...
Thank you for your feedback!
[x] Close

An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
Please try again later.
[x] Close
After I suspend my FEHB coverage to use TRICARE or CHAMPVA instead, when can I reenroll in the FEHB Program? View more

You can reenroll in the FEHB Program for any reason during a future Open Season. If you are involuntarily disenrolled from TRICARE or CHAMPVA, you are eligible to immediately reenroll in the FEHB Program. Your request to reenroll must be received within the period beginning 31 days before and ending 60 days after your TRICARE or CHAMPVA coverage ends. Otherwise, you must wait until Open Season.
How well did this answer your question?
- 0%
- 25%
- 50%
- 75%
- 100%
Submit
Submitting rating...
Thank you for your feedback!
[x] Close

An error occurred while trying to submit your feedback.
Please try again later.
[x] Close

In This Section

Frequently Asked Questions Insurance

Health

Refine by Subtopic

Unexpected Error