Federal employees enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program had their first opportunity to select a Self Plus One enrollment type during the 2015 Open Season for health insurance benefits starting in January 2016.
Generally, enrollment changes made outside of Open Season are only allowed based on a Qualifying Life Event. However, because self plus one became available as a new enrollment option in the FEHB Program, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), as previously announced, is allowing some enrollment changes to be made during a Limited Enrollment Period.
The Limited Enrollment Period runs from February 1, 2016 until February 29, 2016.
Federal employees who missed the 2015 open season for some reason, but still want to change their enrollment from Self and Family to Self Plus One, can still make the change during this additional enrollment period.
OPM is emphasizing that the Limited Enrollment Period is not an extension of Open Season. It is not available to federal employee annuitants, Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) enrollees, and others who do not participate in premium conversion because they may decrease their enrollment at any time. Following the Limited Enrollment Period, individuals who participate in premium conversion will need to experience a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) in order to decrease their enrollment type outside of Open Season.
Here are the restrictions for this Limited Enrollment Period according to OPM:
- It is limited to employees enrolled in the Self and Family option of the FEHB.
- Only those who participate in premium conversion will be allowed to decrease enrollment to Self Plus One (others may decrease enrollment at any time) using the Limited Enrollment Period.
- Decreases in enrollment to Self Plus One will be the only allowed enrollment changes.
- No changes in plans, no option changes, no increases or other decreases in enrollment will be allowed.
- All enrollment changes will be prospective to the first day of the first pay period following the one in which the change is requested.
Benefits Administration Letter: Final Rule on Self Plus One FEHB Option
