Health Care Reform
Posted: November 23, 2010
Changes to Federal Benefits Eligibility Due to Health Reform Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Health Reform Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Health Care Reform Extends Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) To Children Until Age 26 Health Care Reform Extends Federal Employee Health Benefits
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Posted: November 17, 2010
For information about the Affordable Care Act: Changes to Federal Benefits Eligibility Due to Health Reform and Open Season Changes
Posted: September 28, 2010
For information about the Affordable Care Act and Your Federal Benefits.[37 KB]
Posted: May 12, 2010
Legislation introduced in Congress to allow earlier implement of FEHB coverage for children to age 26 failed to pass in the Senate. The effective date of coverage to age 26 continues to be January 1, 2011.
Posted: April 23, 2010 UPDATED: May 12, 2010
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has been preparing to implement the Affordable Care Act since the day it was signed into law. We want Federal employees, retirees, and their families to enjoy the benefits of this landmark legislation as soon as possible, and we are working on this with our partners in the White House, Congress, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and other agencies every day.
Under the Affordable Care Act, adult children up to age 26 will be eligible for health insurance coverage at the start of the next benefit plan year. The effective date of this provision is the first day of the plan year that is six months following enactment of the law. For the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, that means January 1, 2011. Though we are eager to provide coverage to young adults prior to January 1, the current law governing the FEHB Program specifically prohibits us from doing so. Chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, says unmarried dependent children are covered until age 22. Until the new law goes into effect, we must follow existing law.
We are working diligently with the Congress to address this matter and Congress has introduced legislation to address this issue.
In the meantime, children turning 22 are automatically covered for an additional 31 days under the parent's coverage policy. During this time, families can decide to continue FEHB coverage for their adult child for up to 36 months through the Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) program. Under TCC, adult children can continue their coverage by enrolling as an individual in any FEHB plan. Though there is no Federal contribution toward the premium, the coverage policy is not subject to underwriting or pre-existing condition exclusions. Information about TCC is available at www.opm.gov/insure/health/faq/tcc.asp.
Posted: April 2, 2010
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," Public Law 111-148. While some aspects of this law will not take effect until 2014, there are several major provisions that become effective before that time.
Among those is the coverage of a dependent until age 26. The effective date of this provision is the first day of the plan year that is six months following enactment of the law. For the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, that means January 1, 2011.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will take the necessary actions to comply with the new law by this effective date. We will provide additional information in the near future about the changes to FEHB plans for the 2011 plan year occurring as a result of passage of the PPACA so that employees and retirees have the information in time for the Open Season, which begins in November.