5 C.F.R. PART 890—FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM
Title 5 - Administrative Personnel
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 8913; 890.303 also issued under 50 U.S.C. 403p, 22 U.S.C. 4069c and 4069c–1; subpart L also issued under sec. 599C of Pub. L. 101–513, 104 Stat. 2064, as amended; §890.102 also issued under sections 11202(f), 11232(e), 11246(b) and (c) of Pub. L. 105–33, 111 Stat. 251; and section 721 of Pub. L. 105–261, 112 Stat. 2061 unless otherwise noted.
Source: 33 FR 12510, Sept. 4, 1968, unless otherwise noted.
(a) In this part, the terms annuitant, carrier, employee, employee organization, former spouse, health benefits plan, member of family, and service, have the meanings set forth in section 8901 of title 5, United States Code, and supplement the following definitions: Appropriate request means a properly completed health benefits registration form or an alternative method acceptable to both the employing office and OPM. Alternative methods must be capable of transmitting to the health benefits plans the information they require before accepting an enrollment, change of enrollment, or cancellation. Electronic signatures, including the use of Personal Identification Numbers (PIN), have the same validity as a written signature. Basic employee death benefit has the meaning set out at §843.102. Survivors receiving this benefit are deemed to be “annuitants” for purposes of this chapter. Cancel means to submit to the employing office an appropriate request electing not to be enrolled by an enrollee who is eligible to continue enrollment. Change the enrollment means to submit to the employing office an appropriate request electing a change of enrollment to a different plan or option, or to a different type of coverage (self only or self and family). Claim means a request for (i) payment of a health-related bill; or (ii) provision of a health-related service or supply. Compensation means compensation under subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, which is payable because of a job-related injury or disease. Compensationer means an employee or former employee who is entitled to compensation and whom the Department of Labor determines is unable to return to duty. A compensationer is also an annuitant for purposes of chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code. Covered individual means an enrollee or a covered family member. Covered family member means a member of the family of an enrollee with a self and family enrollment who meets the requirements of §§890.302, 890.804, or 890.1106(a), as appropriate to the type of enrollee. Election not to enroll means to submit to the employing office an appropriate request electing not to be enrolled by an employee who is eligible to enroll. Eligible means eligible under the law and this part to be enrolled. Employing office means the office of an agency to which jurisdiction and responsibility for health benefits actions for an employee, an annuitant, a former spouse eligible for continued coverage under subpart H of this part, or an individual eligible for temporary continuation of coverage under subpart K of this part, have been delegated. (1) For an enrolled annuitant (including survivor annuitant, former spouse annuitant, and surviving spouses receiving a basic employee death benefit under 5 U.S.C. 8442(b)(1)(A)) who is not also an eligible employee, employing office is the office which has the authority to approve payment of annuity, basic employee death benefit, or workers' compensation for the annuitant concerned. (2) For a former spouse of an annuitant whose marriage dissolved after the employee's retirement and who has entitlement to receive future annuity payments under sections 8341(h), 8345(j), 8445, or 8467 of title 5, United States Code, employing office is the office that has the authority to approve payment of annuity for the annuitant or former spouse concerned. (3) For a former spouse of a current employee, and a former spouse of an annuitant or separated employee having title to a deferred annuity or to an immediate annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8412(g), whose marriage dissolved during the employee's Federal service, employing office is the agency that employed the employee or annuitant at the time the marriage was dissolved. (4) For a surviving spouse in receipt of a basic employee death benefit under 5 U.S.C. 8442(b)(1)(A) who is not also an eligible employee, the employing office is the retirement system which has authority to approve the basic employee death benefit. (5) For a former spouse of an employee or former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) whose marriage was dissolved before May 7, 1985, and who meets the requirements under §890.803(a)(3)(iv), the employing office is the CIA. (6) For a former spouse of an employee or former employee of the Foreign Service whose marriage was dissolved before May 7, 1985, and who meets the requirements under §890.803(a)(3)(v) of this part, the employing office is the Department of State. (7) [Reserved] (8) For a former spouse of an employee who separated from service after qualifying for an immediate annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8412(g), whose marriage dissolves after the employee separated from service but before the date the separated employee's annuity commences, and who is entitled to continued coverage under subpart H of this part, employing office is the office that has the authority to approve payment of annuity for the annuitant or former spouse concerned. Enroll means to submit to the employing office an appropriate request electing to be enrolled in a health benefits plan. Enrolled means an appropriate request has been accepted by the employing office and the enrollment in a health benefits plan approved by OPM under this part has not been terminated or cancelled. Enrollee means the individual in whose name the enrollment is carried. The term includes employees, annuitants, former employees, former spouses, or children who are enrolled after completing an appropriate request under the provisions of §§890.301, 890.306, 890.601, 890.803, or 890.1103 or have continued an enrollment as an annuitant or survivor annuitant under 5 U.S.C. 8905(b) or §890.303. Foster child means a child who: (1) Lives with an employee, former employee, or annuitant or with a child enrolled under §890.1103(a)(2) in a regular parent-child relationship and (2) Is expected to be raised to adulthood by the enrollee. Immediate annuity means an annuity which begins to accrue not later than 1 month after the date enrollment under a health benefits plan would cease for an employee or member of family if he were not entitled to continue enrollment as an annuitant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an annuity which commences on the birth of the posthumous child of an employee or annuitant is an immediate annuity. For an individual who separates from service upon meeting the requirements for an annuity under §842.204(a)(1) of this chapter, immediate annuity includes an annuity for which the commencing date is postponed under §842.204(c). Letter of credit is defined in 48 CFR 1602.170–10. Option means a level of benefits. It does not include distinctions as to whether the members of the family are covered. OWCP means the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, U.S. Department of Labor, which administers subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code. Pay period means the biweekly pay period established pursuant to section 5504 of title 5, United States Code, for the employees to whom that section applies and the regular pay period for employees not covered by that section. Pay period, as it relates to a former spouse or annuitant who is not actively receiving an annuity, including surviving spouses receiving a basic employee death benefit, and enrollees temporarily continuing coverage under subpart K of this part, means any regular pay period for employees of the agency to which jurisdiction and responsibility for health benefits actions for the enrollee have been delegated as provided under the definition of “employing office” in this section. Pay period for annuitants in active receipt of annuity means the period for which a single installment of annuity is customarily paid. Reconsideration means the final level of administrative review of an employing office's initial decision to determine if the employing office correctly applied the law and regulations. Underdeduction means a failure to withhold the required amount of health benefits contributions from an individual's pay, annuity, or compensation. This definition includes both nondeductions (when none of the required amounts was withheld) and partial deductions (when only part of the required amount was withheld). Though FEHB contributions are required to cover a period of nonpay status, the nonpayment of contributions during such period does not result in an underdeduction. (b) Whenever, in this part, a period of time is stated as a number of days or a number of days from an event, the period is computed in calendar days, excluding the day of the event. Whenever, in this part, a period of time is defined by beginning and ending dates, the period includes the beginning and ending dates. [33 FR 12510, Sept. 4, 1968] Editorial Note: For (a) Each employee, other than those excluded by paragraph (c) of this section, is eligible to be enrolled in a health benefits plan at the time and under the conditions prescribed in this part. (b) An employee who serves in cooperation with non-Federal agencies and is paid in whole or in part from non-Federal funds may register to be enrolled within the period prescribed by OPM for the group of which the employee is a member following approval by OPM of arrangements providing that (1) the required withholdings and contributions will be made from Federally-controlled funds and timely deposited into the Employees Health Benefits Fund, or (2) the cooperating non-Federal agency will, by written agreement with the Federal agency, make the required withholdings and contributions from non-Federal funds and transmit them for timely deposit into the Employees Health Benefits Fund. (c) The following employees are not eligible: (1) An employee (other than an acting postmaster, a Presidential appointee appointed to fill an unexpired term, and an appointee whose appointment meets the definition of provisional appointment set out in §§316.401 and 316.403 of this chapter) who is serving under an appointment limited to 1 year or less and who has not completed 1 year of current continuous employment, excluding any break in service of 5 days or less. (2) An employee who is expected to work less than 6 months in each year, except for an employee who is employed under an OPM approved career-related work-study program under Schedule B of at least 1 year's duration and who is expected to be in a pay status for at least one-third of the total period of time from the date of the first appointment to the completion of the work-study program. (3) An intermittent employee—a non-full-time employee without a prearranged regular tour of duty. (4) A beneficiary or patient employee in a Government hospital or home. (5) An employee paid on a contract or fee basis, except an employee who is a citizen of the United States who is appointed by a contract between the employee and the Federal employing authority which requires his personal service and is paid on the basis of units of time. (6) An employee paid on a piecework basis, except one whose work schedule provides for full-time service or part-time service with a regular tour of duty. (7) An individual first employed by the government of the District of Columbia on or after October 1, 1987. However, this exclusion does not apply to: (i) Employees of St. Elizabeths Hospital who accept offers of employment with the District of Columbia government without a break in service, as provided in section 6 of Pub. L. 98–621 (98 Stat. 3379); (ii) The Corrections Trustee and the Pretrial Services, Defense Services, Parole, Adult Probation and Offender Supervision Trustee and employees of these Trustees who accept employment with the District of Columbia government within 3 days after separating from the Federal Government; and (iii) Effective October 1, 1997, judges and nonjudicial employees of the District of Columbia Courts, as provided by Pub. L. 105–33 (111 Stat. 251). (8) An individual first employed by the government of the District of Columbia on or after October 1, 1987. However, this exclusion does not apply to: (i) Employees of St. Elizabeths Hospital who accept offers of employment with the District of Columbia government without a break in service, as provided in section 6 of Pub. L. 98–621 (98 Stat. 3379); (ii) The Corrections Trustee and the Pretrial Services, Parole, Adult Probation and Offender Supervision Trustee and employees of these Trustees who accept employment with the District of Columbia government within 3 days after separating from the Federal Government; (iii) Effective October 1, 1997, judges and nonjudicial employees of the District of Columbia Courts, as provided by Pub. L. 105–33 (111 Stat. 251); and (iv) Effective April 1, 1999, employees of the Public Defender Service of the District of Columbia, as provided by Pub. L. 105–274 (112 Stat. 2419). (d) Paragraph (c) of this section does not deny coverage to: (1) An employee appointed to perform “part-time career employment,” as defined in section 3401(2) of title 5, United States Code, and 5 CFR part 340, subpart B; or (2) An employee serving under an interim appointment established under §772.102 of this chapter. (e) The Office of Personnel Management makes the final determination of the applicability of this section to specific employees or groups of employees. (f) An employee of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority (the Authority) who makes an election under the Technical Corrections to Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act (section 153 of Pub. L. 104–134, 110 Stat. 1321) to be considered a Federal employee for health benefits and other benefit purposes is subject to this part. If the employee is eligible to make an election to enroll under §890.301, such election must be made within 60 days after the later of either the date the employment with the Authority begins or the date the Authority receives his or her election to be considered a Federal employee. Employees of the Authority who are former Federal employees are subject to the provisions of §890.303(a), except that a former Federal employee employed by the Authority before October 26, 1996, and within 3 days following the termination of the Federal employment may make an election to enroll under §890.301(c). Annuitants who have continued their coverage under this part as annuitants are not eligible to enroll under this paragraph. An election to enroll under this part is effective under the provisions of §890.306(a) unless the employee requests the Authority to make the enrollment effective on the first day of the first pay period following the date the employee entered on duty in a pay status with the Authority. (g) Notwithstanding any other provision in this part, the hiring of a Federal employee, whether in pay status or nonpay status, for a temporary, intermittent position with the decennial census has no effect on the withholding or Government contribution for his/her coverage or the determination of when 365 days in nonpay status ends. [33 FR 12510, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 33 FR 20002, Dec. 31, 1968; 35 FR 753, Jan. 20, 1970; 44 FR 57382, Oct. 5, 1979; 46 FR 25595, May 8, 1981; 52 FR 38220, Oct. 15, 1987; 54 FR 7755, Feb. 23, 1989; 56 FR 10143, Mar. 11, 1991; 57 FR 3715, Jan. 31, 1992; 61 FR 58460, Nov. 15, 1996; 62 FR 50997, Sept. 30, 1997; 63 FR 9402, Feb. 25, 1998; 63 FR 28891, May 27, 1998; 64 FR 15289, Mar. 31, 1999] Editorial Note: At 64 FR 15289, Mar. 31, 1999, paragraph (c)(8) of §890.102 was revised; however paragraph (c)(8) did not exist in the 1999 edition of this volume.
(a) The employing office may make prospective corrections of administrative errors as to enrollment at any time. The employing office may make retroactive corrections of administrative errors that occur after December 31, 1994. (b) OPM may order correction of an administrative error upon a showing satisfactory to OPM that it would be against equity and good conscience not to do so. (c) The employing office may make retroactive correction of enrollee enrollment code errors if the enrollee reports the error by the end of the pay period following the one in which he or she received the first written documentation (i.e. pay statement or enrollment change confirmation) indicating the error. (d) OPM may order the termination of an enrollment in any comprehensive medical plan described in section 8903(4) of title 5, United States Code, and permit the individual to enroll in another health benefits plan for purposes of this part, upon a showing satisfactory to OPM that the furnishing of adequate medical care is jeopardized by a seriously impaired relationship between a patient and the comprehensive medical plan's affiliated health care providers. (e) Retroactive corrections are subject to withholdings and contributions under the provisions of §890.502. [45 FR 23637, Apr. 8, 1980, as amended at 53 FR 2, Jan. 4, 1988; 54 FR 52336, Dec. 21, 1989; 55 FR 22891, June 5, 1990; 59 FR 66437, Dec. 27, 1994; 62 FR 38435, July 18, 1997] (a) Who may file. Except as provided under §890.1112, an individual may request an agency or retirement system to reconsider an initial decision of its employing office denying coverage or change of enrollment. (b) Initial employing office decision. An employing office's decision is considered an initial decision as used in paragraph (a) of this section when rendered by the employing office in writing and stating the right to an independent level of review (reconsideration) by the agency or retirement system. However, an initial decision rendered at the highest level of review available within OPM is not subject to reconsideration. (c) Reconsideration. (1) A request for reconsideration must be made in writing, must include the claimant's name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, name of carrier, reason(s) for the request, and, if applicable, retirement claim number. (2) The reconsideration review must be an independent review designated at or above the level at which the initial decision was rendered. (d) Time limit. A request for reconsideration of an initial decision must be filed within 30 calendar days from the date of the written decision stating the right to a reconsideration. The time limit on filing may be extended when the individual shows that he or she was not notified of the time limit and was not otherwise aware of it, or that he or she was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from making the request within the time limit. An agency or retirement system decision in response to a request for reconsideration of an employing office's decision is a final decision as described in paragraph (e) of this section. (e) Final decision. After reconsideration, the agency or retirement system must issue a final decision, which must be in writing and must fully set forth the findings and conclusions. [59 FR 66437, Dec. 27, 1994] (a) General. (1) Each health benefits carrier resolves claims filed under the plan. All health benefits claims must be submitted initially to the carrier of the covered individual's health benefits plan. If the carrier denies a claim (or a portion of a claim), the covered individual may ask the carrier to reconsider its denial. If the carrier affirms its denial or fails to respond as required by paragraph (c) of this section, the covered individual may ask OPM to review the claim. A covered individual must exhaust both the carrier and OPM review processes specified in this section before seeking judicial review of the denied claim. (2) This section applies to covered individuals and to other individuals or entities who are acting on the behalf of a covered individual and who have the covered individual's specific written consent to pursue payment of the disputed claim. (b) Time limits for reconsidering a claim. (1) The covered individual has 6 months from the date of the notice to the covered individual that a claim (or a portion of a claim) was denied by the carrier in which to submit a written request for reconsideration to the carrier. The time limit for requesting reconsideration may be extended when the covered individual shows that he or she was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from making the request within the time limit. (2) The carrier has 30 days after the date of receipt of a timely-filed request for reconsideration to: (i) Affirm the denial in writing to the covered individual; (ii) Pay the bill or provide the service; or (iii) Request from the covered individual or provider additional information needed to make a decision on the claim. The carrier must simultaneously notify the covered individual of the information requested if it requests additional information from a provider. The carrier has 30 days after the date the information is received to affirm the denial in writing to the covered individual or pay the bill or provide the service. The carrier must make its decision based on the evidence it has if the covered individual or provider does not respond within 60 days after the date of the carrier's notice requesting additional information. The carrier must then send written notice to the covered individual of its decision on the claim. The covered individual may request OPM review as provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section if the carrier fails to act within the time limit set forth in this paragraph (b)(2)(iii). (3) The covered individual may write to OPM and request that OPM review the carrier's decision if the carrier either affirms its denial of a claim or fails to respond to a covered individual's written request for reconsideration within the time limit set forth in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. The covered individual must submit the request for OPM review within the time limit specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section. (4) The carrier may extend the time limit for a covered individual's submission of additional information to the carrier when the covered individual shows he or she was not notified of the time limit or was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from submitting the additional information. (c) Information required to process requests for reconsideration. (1) The covered individual must put the request to the carrier to reconsider a claim in writing and give the reasons, in terms of applicable brochure provisions, that the denied claim should have been approved. (2) If the carrier needs additional information from the covered individual to make a decision, it must: (i) Specifically identify the information needed; (ii) State the reason the information is required to make a decision on the claim; (iii) Specify the time limit (60 days after the date of the carrier's request) for submitting the information; and (iv) State the consequences of failure to respond within the time limit specified, as set out in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. (d) Carrier determinations. The carrier must provide written notice to the covered individual of its determination. If the carrier affirms the initial denial, the notice must inform the covered individual of: (1) The specific and detailed reasons for the denial; (2) The covered individual's right to request a review by OPM; and (3) The requirement that requests for OPM review must be received within 90 days after the date of the carrier's denial notice and include a copy of the denial notice as well as documents to support the covered individual's position. (e) OPM review. (1) If the covered individual seeks further review of the denied claim, the covered individual must make a request to OPM to review the carrier's decision. Such a request to OPM must be made: (i) Within 90 days after the date of the carrier's notice to the covered individual that the denial was affirmed; (ii) If the carrier fails to respond to the covered individual as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, within 120 days after the date of the covered individual's timely request for reconsideration by the carrier; or (iii) Within 120 days after the date the carrier requests additional information from the covered individual, or the date the covered individual is notified that the carrier is requesting additional information from a provider. OPM may extend the time limit for a covered individual's request for OPM review when the covered individual shows he or she was not notified of the time limit or was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from submitting the request for OPM review within the time limit. (2) In reviewing a claim denied by the carrier, OPM may: (i) Request that the covered individual submit additional information; (ii) Obtain an advisory opinion from an independent physician; (iii) Obtain any other information as may in its judgment be required to make a determination; or (iv) Make its decision based solely on the information the covered individual provided with his or her request for review. (3) When OPM requests information from the carrier, the carrier must release the information within 30 days after the date of OPM's written request unless a different time limit is specified by OPM in its request. (4) Within 90 days after receipt of the request for review, OPM will either: (i) Give a written notice of its decision to the covered individual and the carrier; or (ii) Notify the individual of the status of the review. If OPM does not receive requested evidence within 15 days after expiration of the applicable time limit in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, OPM may make its decision based solely on information available to it at that time and give a written notice of its decision to the covered individual and to the carrier. (5) OPM, upon its own motion, may reopen its review if it receives evidence that was unavailable at the time of its original decision. [61 FR 15178, Apr. 5, 1996] For the purpose of making findings of fact and to the extent that conclusions of law may be required under any proceeding conducted in accordance with the provisions of the disputes clause included in health benefits contracts, OPM delegates this function to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals. [40 FR 50023, Oct. 28, 1975; 40 FR 55829, Dec. 2, 1975. Redesignated at 44 FR 37895, June 29, 1979 and 45 FR 23637, Apr. 8, 1980] (a) A suit to compel enrollment under §890.102 must be brought against the employing office that made the enrollment decision. (b) A suit to review the legality of OPM's regulations under this part must be brought against the Office of Personnel Management. (c) Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) carriers resolve FEHB claims under authority of Federal statute (5 U.S.C. chapter 89). A covered individual may seek judicial review of OPM's final action on the denial of a health benefits claim. A legal action to review final action by OPM involving such denial of health benefits must be brought against OPM and not against the carrier or carrier's subcontractors. The recovery in such a suit shall be limited to a court order directing OPM to require the carrier to pay the amount of benefits in dispute. (d) An action under paragraph (c) of this section to recover on a claim for health benefits: (1) May not be brought prior to exhaustion of the administrative remedies provided in §890.105; (2) May not be brought later than December 31 of the 3rd year after the year in which the care or service was provided; and (3) Will be limited to the record that was before OPM when it rendered its decision affirming the carrier's denial of benefits. [61 FR 15179, Apr. 5, 1996] (a) OPM may waive the eligibility requirements under 5 U.S.C. 8905(b) for health benefits coverage as an annuitant in the case of an individual who fails to satisfy such requirements if OPM, in its sole discretion, determines that, because of exceptional circumstances, it would be against equity and good conscience not to allow such individual to be enrolled as an annuitant in a health benefits plan under this part. (b) OPM may grant a waiver as described in paragraph (a) of this section to an annuitant in rare and unusual circumstances if the annuitant shows by the preponderance of the evidence that— (1) There is evidence demonstrating that the individual intended to be covered as an annuitant; (2) The circumstance(s) that prevented the completion of the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 8905(b) was (were) essentially outside the individual's control; and (3) The individual exercised due diligence in protecting the right to coverage as an annuitant. (c) OPM will not grant a waiver solely because— (1) An individual's retirement is based on disability or an involuntary separation; or (2) An individual was misadvised (or not advised) by his or her employing office regarding the requirements for continuation of health benefits coverage into retirement. [52 FR 3, Jan. 2, 1987] (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, periods during which temporary employees are eligible under 5 U.S.C. 8906a to receive health benefits by enrolling and paying the full subscription charge, but are not eligible to participate in a retirement system, are not considered when determining eligibility for continued coverage during retirement. For the purpose of continuing coverage during retirement, an employee is considered to have enrolled at his or her first opportunity if the employee registered to be enrolled when he or she received a permanent appointment entitling him or her to participate in a retirement system and to receive the Government contribution toward the health benefits premium payments. (b) A temporary employee eligible under 5 U.S.C. 8906a may continue enrollment as a compensationer if he or she has been enrolled or covered as a family member under another enrollment under this part for: (1) The 5 years of service immediately preceding the commencement of his or her monthly compensation; or (2) During all periods of service since his or her first opportunity to enroll, if less than 5 years. For the purpose of this paragraph, an employee is considered to have enrolled at his or her first opportunity if the employee registered to be enrolled when he or she first became eligible under 5 U.S.C. 8906a. [58 FR 47824, Sept. 13, 1993] (a) Each employing office must report to each carrier or its surrogate on a quarterly basis the names of the individuals who are enrolled in the carrier's plan in a format and containing such information as required by OPM. (b) The carrier must compare the data provided with its own enrollment records. When the carrier finds in its total enrollment records individuals whose names do not appear in the report from the employing office of record, the carrier must request the employing office to provide the documentation necessary to resolve the discrepancy. [63 FR 59459, Nov. 4, 1998; 63 FR 64761, Nov. 23, 1998] (a) To qualify for approval by OPM, a health benefits plan shall meet the following standards. Once approved, a health benefits plan shall continue to meet the minimum standards. Failure on the part of the carrier's plan to meet the standards is cause for OPM's withdrawal of approval of the plan in accordance with 5 CFR 890.204. A health benefits plan shall: (1) Comply with chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, and this part, as amended from time to time. (2) Accept the enrollment, in accordance with this part, and without regard to age, race, sex, health status, or hazardous nature of employment, of each eligible employee, annuitant, former spouse, former employee, or child, except that a plan that is sponsored or underwritten by an employee organization may not accept the enrollment of a person who is not a member of the organization, but it may not limit membership in the organization on account of the prohibited factors (age, race, sex, health status, or hazardous nature of employment). The carrier may terminate the enrollment of an enrollee other than a survivor annuitant, a former spouse continuing coverage under §890.803, or person continuing coverage under §890.1103(a) (2) or (3), in a health benefits plan sponsored or underwritten by an employee organization on account of termination of membership in the organization. A carrier that wants to terminate the enrollment of an enrollee under this paragraph may do so by notifying the employing office in writing, with a copy of the notice to the enrollee. The termination is effective at the end of the pay period in which the employing office receives the notice. A comprehensive medical plan need not enroll an employee, annuitant, former employee, former spouse, or child residing outside the geographic areas specified by the plan. (3) Provide health benefits for each enrollee and covered family member wherever they may be. (4) Provide for conversion to a contract for health benefits regularly offered by the carrier, or an appropriate affiliate, for group conversion purposes, which must be guaranteed renewable, subject to such amendments as apply to all contracts of this class, except that it may be canceled for fraud, overinsurance, or nonpayment of periodic charges. A carrier must permit conversion within the time allowed by the temporary extension of coverage provided under §890.401 for each enrollee and covered family member entitled to convert. When an employing office gives an enrollee written notice of his or her privilege of conversion, the carrier must permit conversion at any time before 31 days after the date of notice or 91 days after the enrollment is terminated, whichever is earlier. Belated conversion opportunities as provided in §890.401(c) must also be permitted by the carrier. When OPM requests an extension of time for conversion because of delayed determination of ineligibility for immediate annuity, the carrier must permit conversion until the date specified by OPM in its request for extension. On conversion, the contract becomes effective as of the day following the last day of the temporary extension, and the enrollee or covered family member, as the case may be, must pay the entire cost thereof directly to the carrier. The nongroup contract may not deny or delay any benefit covered by the contract for a person converting from a plan approved under this part except to the extent that benefits are continued under the health benefits plan from which he or she converts. (5) Provide that each enrollee receive an identification card or cards or other evidence of enrollment. (6) Provide a standard rate structure which contains, for each option, one standard individual rate, and one standard family rate. (7) Maintain statistical records regarding the plan, separately from those of any other activities conducted or benefits offered by the carrier sponsoring or underwriting the plan. (8) Provide for a special reserve for the plan. The carrier shall account for amounts retained by it as reserves for the plan separately from reserves maintained by it for other plans. The carrier shall invest the special reserve and income derived from the investment of the special reserve shall be credited to the special reserve. If the contract is terminated or approval of the plan is withdrawn, the carrier shall return the special reserve to the Employees Health Benefits Fund. However, in the case of a comprehensive medical plan, the carrier, without regard to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, shall follow such financial procedures as are mutually agreed on by the carrier and OPM. (9) Provide for continued enrollment to the end of the current pay period, or termination date, if earlier, of each enrollee enrolled at the effective date of termination of a contract. The carrier is entitled to subscription charges for this continued enrollment. (10) Provide that any covered expenses incurred from January 1 to the effective date of an open season change count toward the losing carrier's prior year deductible. If the prior year deductible or family limit on deductibles of the losing carrier had previously been met, the enrolled individual (and eligible family members) shall be eligible for reimbursement by the losing carrier for covered expenses incurred during the current year. Reimbursement of covered expenses shall apply only to covered expenses incurred from January 1 to the effective date of the open season change. This section shall not apply to any other permissible changes made during a contract year. (11) Except where OPM determines otherwise, have 300 or more employees and annuitants, exclusive of family members, enrolled in the plan at some time during the preceding two contract terms. (b) To be qualified to be approved by OPM and, once approved, to continue to be approved, a health benefits plan shall not: (1) Deny a covered person a benefit provided by the plan for a service performed on or after the effective date of coverage solely because of a preexisting physical or mental condition. (2) Require a waiting period for any covered person for benefits which it provides. (3) Have more than two options and a high deductible health plan (26 U.S.C. 223(c)(2)(A). (4) Have an initiation, service, enrollment, or other fee or charge in addition to the rate charged for the plan, except that a comprehensive medical plan may impose an additional charge to be paid directly by the enrollee for certain medical supplies and services, if the supplies and services on which additional charges are imposed are clearly set forth in advance and are applicable to all enrollees. This subparagraph does not apply to charges for membership in employee organizations sponsoring or underwriting plans. (5) Paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section do not preclude a plan offering benefits for dentistry or cosmetic surgery, or both, limited to conditions arising after the effective date of coverage. (c) The Director or his or her designee will determine whether to propose withdrawal of approval of the plan and hold a hearing based on the seriousness of the carrier's actions and its proposed method to effect corrective action. [33 FR 12510, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 43 FR 52460, Nov. 13, 1978; 47 FR 14871, Apr. 6, 1982; 49 FR 48905, Dec. 17, 1984; 52 FR 10217, Mar. 31, 1987; 54 FR 52336, Dec. 21, 1989; 55 FR 9108, Mar. 12, 1990; 55 FR 22891, June 5, 1990; 69 FR 31721, June 7, 2004] The minimum standards for health benefits carriers for the FEHB Program shall be those contained in 48 CFR subpart 1609.70. [57 FR 14324, Apr. 20, 1992] (a) New plan applications. (1) The Director of OPM shall consider applications to participate in the FEHB Program from comprehensive medical plans (CMP's) at his or her discretion. CMP's are automatically invited to submit applications annually to participate in the FEHB Program unless otherwise notified by OPM. If the Director should determine that it is not beneficial to the enrollees and the Program to consider applications for a specific contract year, OPM will publish a notice with a 60 day comment period in the (2) When applications are considered, CMP's should apply for approval by writing to the Office of Personnel Management, Washington, DC 20415. Application letters must be accompanied by any descriptive material, financial data, or other documentation required by OPM. Plans must submit the letter and attachments in the OPM-specified format by January 31, or another date specified by OPM, of the year preceding the contract year for which applications are being accepted. Plans must submit evidence demonstrating they meet all requirements for approval by March 31 of the year preceding the contract year for which applications are being accepted. Plans that miss either deadline cannot be considered for participation in the next contract year. All newly approved plans must submit benefit and rate proposals to OPM by May 31 of the year preceding the contract year for which applications are being accepted in order to be considered for participation in that contract year. OPM may make counter-proposals at any time. (3) OPM may approve such comprehensive medical plans as, in the judgment of OPM, may be in the best interest of enrollees in the Program. In addition to specific requirements set forth in 5 U.S.C. chapter 89, in chapter 1 and other relevant portions of title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and in other sections of this part, to be approved, an applicant plan must actually be delivering medical care at the time of application; must be in compliance with applicable State licensing and operating requirements; must not be a Federal, State, local, or territorial governmental entity; and must not be debarred, suspended, or ineligible to participate in Government contracting or subcontracting for any reason, including fraudulent health care practices in other Federal health care programs. (4) Applications must identify those individuals who have the legal authority and responsibility to enter into and guarantee contracts. The applications will be reviewed for evidence of substantial compliance with the following standards: (i) Health plan management: Stable management with experience pertinent to the prepaid health care provider industry; sufficient operating experience to enable OPM to realistically evaluate the plan's past and expected future performance; (ii) Marketing: A rate of enrollment that ensures equalization of income and expenses within projected timeframes and sufficient subscriber income to operate within budget thereafter; enrollment dispersed among groups such that there is not a concentration of enrollment with one or a few groups so that the loss of one or more contracts by the carrier would not jeopardize its financial viability; feasible projections of future enrollment and employer distribution, as well as the potential enrollment area for marketing purposes; (iii) Health care delivery system: A health care delivery system providing reasonable access to and choice of quality primary and specialty medical care throughout the service area; specifically, in the individual practice setting, contractual arrangements for the services of a significant number of primary care and specialty physicians in the service area; and in the group practice setting, compliance with 5 U.S.C. 8903(4)(A) preferably demonstrated by full-time providers specializing in internal medicine, family practice, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology; and (iv) Financial condition: Establishment of firm budget projections and demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding those projections on a regular basis; evidence of the ability to sustain operation in the future and to meet obligations under the contract OPM might enter into with the plan; clearly specified committed funding to see the plan to an expected break-even point including a sufficient amount for unexpected contingencies; adequate current and projected funding, such as estimated premium income or commitment from a financially sound and acceptable parent organization or a mature stable entity outside the plan; insolvency protection, such as stop-loss reinsurance services and agreements with all plan providers that they will hold members harmless if, for any reason, the plan is unable to pay its providers. (5) A comprehensive medical plan that has been certified either as a qualified Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or as a qualified Competitive Medical Plan by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at the time of application to OPM, and whose qualification status is not under investigation by HHS, will need to submit only an abbreviated application to OPM. The extent of the data and documentation to be submitted by a plan so qualified by HHS, as well as by a non-qualified plan, for a particular review cycle may be obtained by writing directly to the Office of Insurance Programs, Retirement and Insurance Service, Office of Personnel Management, Washington, DC 20415. (b) Participating plans. Changes in rates and benefits for approved health benefits plans shall be considered at the discretion of the Director of OPM. If the Director of OPM determines that it is beneficial to enrollees and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to invite health plan benefit and/or rate changes for a given contract period, a “call letter” shall be issued to the carrier approximately 9 months prior to the expiration of the current contract period. Any proposal for change shall be in writing, specifically describe the change proposed, and be signed by an authorized official of the carrier. OPM will review any requested proposal for change and will notify the carrier of its decision to accept or reject the change. OPM may make a counter proposal or at any time propose changes on its own motion. Benefits changes and rate proposals, when requested by OPM, shall be submitted not less than 7 months before the expiration of the then current contract period, unless the Director of OPM determines that a later date is acceptable. The negotiation period shall begin approximately 7 months before the expiration of the current contract period, and OPM shall seek to complete all benefit and rate negotiations no later than 4 months preceding the contract period to which they will apply. If OPM and the carrier do not reach agreement by this date, either party may give written notice of nonrenewal in accordance with §890.205 of this part. [37 FR 20668, Oct. 3, 1972, as amended at 41 FR 40090, Sept. 17, 1976; 43 FR 52461, Nov. 13, 1978; 48 FR 16232, Apr. 15, 1983; 50 FR 8315, Feb. 28, 1985; 52 FR 23934, June 26, 1987; 54 FR 52337, Dec. 21, 1989; 55 FR 22891, June 5, 1990; 57 FR 19374, May 6, 1992; 59 FR 62284, Dec. 5, 1994; 60 FR 62988, Dec. 8, 1995] (a) The Director may withdraw approval of a health benefits plan or carrier if the standards at §890.201 of this part and 48 CFR subpart 1609.70 are not met. Such action carries with it the right to a hearing as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. (1) Before withdrawing approval, the Director or his or her representative shall notify the carrier of the plan, by certified mail, that OPM intends to withdraw approval of the health benefits plan and/or carrier. The notice shall set forth the reasons why approval is to be withdrawn. The carrier is entitled to reply in writing within 15 calendar days after its receipt of the notice, stating the reasons why approval should not be withdrawn. (2) On receipt of the reply, or in the absence of a timely reply, the Director or representative shall set a date, time, and place for a hearing. The carrier shall be notified by certified mail at least 15 calendar days in advance of the hearing. The hearing officer shall be the Director, or a representative designated by the Director, who shall not otherwise have been a party to the initial administrative decision to issue a letter of intent to withdraw the plan's or carrier's approval. The hearing officer shall conduct the hearing unless it is waived in writing by the carrier. The carrier is entitled to appear by representative and present oral or documentary evidence, including rebuttal evidence, in opposition to the proposed action. (i) A transcribed record shall be kept of the hearing and shall be the exclusive record of the proceeding. (ii) After the hearing is held, or after OPM's receipt of the carrier's written waiver of the hearing, the Director shall make a decision on the record, taking into consideration any recommendation submitted by the hearing officer, and send it to the carrier by certified mail. A decision of the Director shall be considered a final decision for the purposes of this section. The Director, or his or her representative, may set a future effective date for withdrawal of approval. (3) The Director, or his or her representative, may give written notice of non-renewal of the contract of a carrier whose plan does not meet the minimum enrollee requirement in §890.201(a)(11). However, the Director may defer withdrawing approval of a plan not meeting the requirement in §890.201(a)(11) of this part when, in the judgment of OPM, the carrier shows good cause. The Director or representative may authorize a plan with fewer than 300 employees or annuitants to remain in the FEHB Program when he or she determines, in his or her discretion, that it is in the best interest of the Program (e.g., when the plan is the only plan available to enrollees in a rural area). (b) During a current contract term, the Director, in his or her discretion, may reinstate approval of a plan or carrier under this section on a finding that the reasons for withdrawing approval no longer exist. [55 FR 9109, Mar. 12, 1990, as amended at 57 FR 14324, Apr. 20, 1992] (a) Either OPM or the carrier may terminate a contract by giving a written notice of nonrenewal which includes an indication of the reason for the intended action. (b) Where termination by notice of intent not to renew is made by OPM, the carrier contesting that notice may request that OPM review the proposed decision. Such review shall be conducted by the Director or a representative designated by the Director, who shall not otherwise have been a party to the initial decision to issue a notice of intent not to renew. A request for such review, which may include a request that a representative of the carrier appear personally before OPM, shall be in writing. That request must be received within 10 calendar days of the carrier's receipt of the notice of intent not to renew. Such request shall include a detailed statement as to why the carrier disagrees with OPM's notice of nonrenewal and shall be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. Where a carrier has requested review under this section, the final decision by OPM not to renew a health benefits contract shall be communicated to the carrier in writing not more than 30 days after OPM's receipt of the carrier's request for review, unless a later date is mutually agreed upon. (c) In the absence of a timely request for review as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, OPM's notice of intent not to renew will become final without further notification. [57 FR 19374, May 6, 1992] (a) Initial opportunity to enroll. An employee who becomes eligible may elect to enroll or not to enroll within 60 days after becoming eligible. (b) Effective date—generally. Except as otherwise provided, an enrollment or change of enrollment takes effect on the first day of the first pay period that begins after the date the employing office receives an appropriate request to enroll or change the enrollment and that follows a pay period during any part of which the employee is in pay status. (c) Belated enrollment. When an employing office determines that an employee was unable, for cause beyond his or her control, to enroll or change the enrollment within the time limits prescribed by this section, the employee may enroll or change the enrollment within 60 days after the employing office advises the employee of its determination. (d) Enrollment by proxy. Subject to the discretion of the employing office, an employee's representative, having written authorization to do so, may enroll or change the enrollment for the employee. (e) Change to self only. (1) Subject to two exceptions, an employee may change the enrollment from self and family to self only at any time. Exceptions: (i) An employee participating in health insurance premium conversion may change to self only during an open season or because of and consistent with a qualifying life event as defined in Part 892 of this chapter. (ii) An employee who is subject to a court or administrative order as discussed in §890.301(g)(3) may not make this change as long as the court or administrative order is still in effect and the employee has at least one child identified in the order who is still eligible under the FEHB Program, unless the employee provides documentation to the agency that he or she has other coverage for the child(ren). (2) A change of enrollment to self only takes effect on the first day of the first pay period that begins after the date the employing office receives an appropriate request to change the enrollment, except that at the request of the employee and upon a showing satisfactory to the employing office that there was no family member eligible for coverage by the family enrollment, the employing office may make the change effective on the first day of the pay period following the one in which there was no family member. (f) Open season. (1) An open season will be held each year from the Monday of the second full workweek in November through the Monday of the second full workweek in December. (2) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management may modify the dates specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section or hold additional open seasons. (3) With one exception, during an open season, an eligible employee may enroll and an enrolled employee may change his or her existing enrollment from self only to self and family, may change from one plan or option to another, or may make any combination of these changes. Exception: An employee who is subject to a court or administrative order as discussed in §890.301(g)(3) may not cancel his or her enrollment, change to self only, or change to a comprehensive medical plan that does not serve the area where his or her child or children live as long as the court or administrative order is still in effect and the employee has at least one child identified in the order who is still eligible under the FEHB Program, unless the employee provides documentation to the agency that he or she has other coverage for the child(ren). (4)(i) An open season new enrollment takes effect on the first day of the first pay period that begins in the next following year and which follows a pay period during any part of which the employee is in a pay status. (ii) An open season change of enrollment takes effect on the first day of the first pay period which begins in January of the next following year. (5) When a belated open season enrollment or change of enrollment is accepted by the employing office under paragraph (c) of this section, it takes effect as required by paragraph (f)(4) of this section. (g) Change in family status. (1) An eligible employee may enroll and an enrolled employee may change the enrollment from self only to self and family, from one plan or option to another, or make any combination of these changes when the employee's family status changes, including a change in marital status or any other change in family status. The employee must enroll or change the enrollment within the period beginning 31 days before the date of the change in family status, and ending 60 days after the date of the change in family status. (2) An enrollment or change of enrollment made in conjunction with the birth of a child, or the addition of a child as a new family member in some other manner, takes effect on the first day of the pay period in which the child is born or becomes an eligible family member. (3)(i) If an employing office receives a court or administrative order on or after October 30, 2000, requiring an employee to provide health benefits for his or her child or children, the employing office will determine if the employee has a self and family enrollment in a health benefits plan that provides full benefits in the area where the child or children live. If the employee does not have the required enrollment, the agency must notify him or her that it has received the court or administrative order and give the employee until the end of the following pay period to change his or her enrollment or provide documentation to the employing office that he or she has other coverage for the child or children. If the employee does not comply within these time frames, the employing office must enroll the employee involuntarily as stated in paragraph (g)(3)(ii) of this section. (ii) If the employee is not enrolled or does not enroll, the agency must enroll him or her for self and family coverage in the option that provides the lower level of coverage in the Service Benefit Plan. If the employee has a self only enrollment, the employing office must change the enrollment to self and family in the same option and plan, as long as the plan provides full benefits in the area where the child or children live. If the employee is enrolled in a comprehensive medical plan that does not serve the area in which the child or children live, the employing office must change the enrollment to self and family in the option that provides the lower level of coverage in the Service Benefit Plan. (4) Subject to two exceptions, the effective date of an involuntary enrollment under paragraph (g)(3) of this section is the 1st day of the pay period that begins after the date the employing office completes the enrollment request. Exceptions: (i) If the court or administrative order requires an earlier effective date, the effective date will be the 1st day of the pay period that includes that date. Effective dates may not be retroactive to a date more than 2 years earlier, or prior to October 30, 2000. (ii) If after an involuntary enrollment becomes effective and the employing office finds that circumstances beyond the employee's control prevented him or her from enrolling or changing the enrollment within the time limits in this section, the employee may change the enrollment prospectively within 60 days after the employing office advises the employee of its finding. (h) Change in employment status. An eligible employee may enroll and an enrolled employee may change the enrollment from self only to self and family, from one plan or option to another, or make any combination of these changes when the employee's employment status changes. Except as otherwise provided, an employee must enroll or change the enrollment within 60 days after the change in employment status. Employment status changes include, but are not limited to— (1) A return to pay status following loss of coverage under either— (i) Section 890.304(a)(1)(v) due to the expiration of 365 days in leave without pay (LWOP) status, or (ii) Section 890.502(b)(5) due to the termination of coverage during LWOP status. (2) Reemployment after a break in service of more than 3 days. (3) Restoration to a civilian position after serving in the uniformed services under conditions that entitle him or her to benefits under part 353 of this chapter, or similar authority. (4) A change from a temporary appointment in which the employee is eligible to enroll under 5 U.S.C. 8906a, which requires payment of the full premium with no Government contribution, to an appointment that entitles the employee to receive the Government contribution. (5) Separation from Federal employment when the employee or the employee's spouse is pregnant and the employee supplies medical documentation of the pregnancy. An employee who enrolls or changes the enrollment under this paragraph (h)(5) must do so during his or her final pay period. The effective date of an enrollment or a change of enrollment under this paragraph (h)(5) is the first day of the pay period which the employing office receives an appropriate request to enroll or change the enrollment. (6) A transfer from a post of duty within a State of the United States or the District of Columbia to a post of duty outside a State of the United States or the District of Columbia, or the reverse. An employee who enrolls or changes the enrollment under this paragraph (h)(6) must do so within the period beginning 31 days before leaving the old post of duty and ending 60 days after arriving at the new post of duty. (7) A change, without a break in service or after a separation of 3 days or less, to part-time career employment as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3401(2) and 5 CFR part 340, subpart B, or a change from such part-time career employment to full-time employment that entitles the employee to the full Government contribution. (i) Loss of coverage under this part or under another group insurance plan. An eligible employee may enroll and an enrolled employee may change the enrollment from self only to self and family, from one plan or option to another, or make any combination of these changes when the employee or an eligible family member of the employee loses coverage under this part or another group health benefits plan. Except as otherwise provided, an employee must enroll or change the enrollment within the period beginning 31 days before the date of loss of coverage, and ending 60 days after the date of loss of coverage. Losses of coverage include, but are not limited to— (1) Loss of coverage under another FEHB enrollment due to the termination, cancellation, or a change to self only, of the covering enrollment. (2) Loss of coverage under another federally-sponsored health benefits program. (3) Loss of coverage due to the termination of membership in an employee organization sponsoring or underwriting an FEHB plan. (4) Loss of coverage due to the discontinuance of an FEHB plan in whole or in part. For an employee who loses coverage under this paragraph (i)(4): (i) If the discontinuance is at the end of a contract year, the employee must change the enrollment during the open season, unless OPM establishes a different time. If the discontinuance is at a time other than the end of the contract year, OPM must establish a time and effective date for the employee to change the enrollment. (ii) If the whole plan is discontinued, an employee who does not change the enrollment within the time set is considered to have canceled the plan in which enrolled. (iii) If one option of a plan that has two options is discontinued, an employee who does not change the enrollment is considered to be enrolled in the remaining option of the plan. (5) Loss of coverage under the Medicaid program or similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance for the needy. (6) Loss of coverage under a non-Federal health plan because an employee moves out of the commuting area to accept another position and the employee's non-federally employed spouse terminates employment to accompany the employee. An employee may enroll or change the enrollment within the period beginning 31 days before the date the employee leaves employment in the old commuting area and ending 180 days after entry on duty at place of employment in the new commuting area. (7) Loss of coverage under a non-Federal health plan. (j) Move from comprehensive medical plan's area. An employee in a comprehensive medical plan who moves or becomes employed outside the geographic area from which the plan accepts enrollments, or if already outside this area, moves or becomes employed further from this area, may change the enrollment upon notifying the employing office of the move or change of place of employment. Similarly, an employee whose covered family member moves outside the geographic area from which the plan accepts enrollments, or if already outside this area, moves further from this area, may change the enrollment upon notifying the employing office of the family member's move. The change of enrollment takes effect on the first day of the pay period that begins after the employing office receives an appropriate request. (k) On becoming eligible for Medicare. An employee may change the enrollment from one plan or option to another at any time beginning on the 30th day before becoming eligible for coverage under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare). A change of enrollment based on becoming eligible for Medicare may be made only once. (l) Salary of temporary employee insufficient to pay withholdings. If the salary of a temporary employee eligible under 5 U.S.C. 8906a is not sufficient to pay the withholdings for the plan in which the employee is enrolled, the employing office shall notify the employee of the plans available at a cost that does not exceed the employee's salary. The employee may enroll in another plan whose cost is no greater than his or her salary within 60 days after receiving such notification from the employing office. The change of enrollment takes effect immediately upon termination of the prior enrollment. [62 FR 38435, July 18, 1997; 62 FR 49557, Sept. 22, 1997, as amended at 65 FR 44646, July 19, 2000; 68 FR 56524, Oct. 1, 2003; 69 FR 56928, Sept. 23, 2004] (a)(1) An enrollment for self and family includes all family members who are eligible to be covered by the enrollment. Except as provided in paragraphs (a) (2), (3), and (4) of this section, no employee, former employee, annuitant, child, or former spouse may enroll or be covered as a family member if he or she is covered under another person's self and family enrollment in the FEHB Program. (2) Dual enrollment—spouse. (i) To protect the interests of the children, an employee or annuitant may enroll in his or her own right in a self and family enrollment even though his or her spouse also has a self and family enrollment. Generally, such dual enrollments are permitted only where two employees or annuitants are married, each with children from prior marriages who do not live with them, or are legally separated, with each spouse retaining custody of his or her own children by a prior marriage. To ensure that no person receives benefits under more than one enrollment, each enrollee must tell the insurance carrier which family members are covered under his or her enrollment. These individuals are not covered under the other enrollment. (ii) To protect the interests of legally separated Federal employees, annuitants and their children, a legally separated employee or annuitant may enroll in his or her own right in a self only or self and family enrollment even though his or her spouse also has a self and family enrollment. To ensure that no person receives benefits under more than one enrollment, each enrollee must tell the insurance carrier which family members are covered under his or her enrollment. These individuals are not covered under the other enrollment. (3) Dual enrollment—child. (i) When natural parents are divorced or legally separated and children are included as family members under the enrollment of both natural parents or of a natural parent and a step-parent, the children are entitled to receive benefits under only one enrollment. Each enrollee must notify his or her insurance carrier of the name(s) of the child(ren) to be covered under his or her enrollment that are not named under the other enrollment. (ii) When an employee who is under age 22 and covered under a parent's self and family enrollment becomes the parent of a child, the employee may elect to enroll for self and family coverage. Because the employee is entitled to receive benefits under only one enrollment, each enrollee must notify his or her insurance carrier of the names of the persons to be covered under his or her enrollment that are not named under the other enrollment. (4) Dual enrollment—spouse and child. Where a situation such as that in paragraph (a)(2) of this section occurs (that is, two employees or annuitants are married, but each has children from prior marriages who do not live with them) and there are also children who are the issue of the marriage, an employee or annuitant may enroll in his or her own right in a self and family enrollment even though his or her spouse also has a self and family enrollment. Because no person is entitled to receive benefits under more than one enrollment, each enrollee must notify his or her insurance carrier of the names of the family members to be covered under his or her enrollment that are not covered under the other enrollment. (b) Proof of dependency. (1) A child is considered to be dependent on an enrolled employee or annuitant or a former employee or child enrolled under §890.1103 of this part if he or she is: (i) A legitimate child; (ii) An adopted child; (iii) A stepchild, foster child, or recognized natural child who lives with the enrollee in a regular parent-child relationship. (iv) A recognized natural child for whom a judicial determination of support has been obtained; or (v) A recognized natural child to whose support the enrollee makes regular and substantial contributions. (2) The following are examples of proof of regular and substantial support. More than one of the following proofs may be required to show support of a recognized natural child who does not live with the enrollee in a regular parent-child relationship and for whom a judicial determination of support has not been obtained. (i) Evidence of eligibility as a dependent child for benefits under other State or Federal programs; (ii) Proof of inclusion of the child as a dependent on the enrollee's income tax returns; (iii) Canceled checks, money orders, or receipts for periodic payments from the enrollee for or on behalf of the child. (iv) Evidence of goods or services which show regular and substantial contributions of considerable value; (v) Any other evidence which OPM shall find to be sufficient proof of support or of paternity or maternity. (c) Exceptions. Coverage as a family member may be denied: (1) If evidence shows that the enrollee did not recognize the child as his or her own, despite a willingness to support the child, or (2) If evidence calls the child's paternity or maternity into doubt, despite the enrollee's recognition and support of the child. (d) Child incapable of self-support. When an individual enrolls for a family that includes a child who has become 22 years of age and is incapable of self-support, the employing office must require such enrollee to submit a physician's certificate verifying the child's disability. The certificate must— (1) State that the child is incapable of self-support because of a physical or mental disability that existed before the child became 22 years of age and that can be expected to continue for more than 1 year; (2) Include a statement of the name of the child, the nature of the disability, the period of time it has existed, and its probable future course and duration; and, (3) Be signed by the physician and show the physician's office address. The employing office must require the enrollee to submit the certificate on or before the date the child becomes 22 years of age. However, the employing office may accept otherwise satisfactory evidence of incapacity that is not timely filed. (e) Renewal of certificates of incapacity. The employing office must require an enrollee who has submitted a certificate of incapacity to renew that certificate on the expiration of the minimum period of disability certified. (f) Determination of incapacity. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, the employing office shall make determinations of incapacity. (2) Either the employing office or the carrier may make a determination of incapacity if a medical condition, as specified by OPM, exists that would cause a child to be incapable of self-support during adulthood. (g) Meaning of unmarried. A child who has never married or whose marriage has been annulled, or a child who is divorced or widowed is considered to be unmarried. [33 FR 12510, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 43 FR 52460, Nov. 13, 1978; 45 FR 76088, Nov. 18, 1980; 46 FR 35082, July 7, 1981; 49 FR 1047, Jan. 9, 1984; 51 FR 15748, Apr. 28, 1986; 53 FR 45070, Nov. 8, 1988; 54 FR 52338, Dec. 21, 1989; 55 FR 22891, June 5, 1990; 59 FR 60296, Nov. 23, 1994; 62 FR 38437, July 18, 1997] (a) On transfer or retirement. (1) Except as otherwise provided by this part, the enrollment of an employee or annuitant eligible to continue enrollment continues without change when he or she moves from one employing office to another, without a break in service of more than 3 days, whether the personnel action is designated as a transfer or not. (2) In order for an employee to continue an enrollment as an annuitant, he or she must meet the participation requirements set forth at 8905(b) of title 5, United States Code, for continuing an enrollment as an annuitant as of the commencing date of his or her annuity or monthly compensation. (3) For the purpose of this part, an employee is considered to have enrolled at his or her first opportunity if the employee enrolled during the first of the periods set forth in §890.301 in which he or she was eligible to enroll or was covered at that time by the enrollment of another employee or annuitant, or whose enrollment was effective not later than December 31, 1964. (4) Enrollment or eligibility for enrollment under subparts H or K of this part of an individual who is not an employee eligible for coverage under other provisions of this part is not considered in determining whether a retiring employee has met the participation requirements of §8905(b) of title 5, U.S. Code. Coverage under subparts H or K of this part of an individual who is an employee eligible for coverage under other provisions of this part may be considered in determining whether a retiring employee has met the participation requirements. (b) Change of enrolled employees to certain excluded positions. Employees and annuitants enrolled under this part who move, without a break in service or after a separation of 3 days or less, to an employment in which they are excluded by §890.102(c), continue to be enrolled unless excluded by paragraphs (c) (4), (5), (6), or (7) of §890.102. (c) On death. The enrollment of a deceased employee or annuitant who is enrolled for self and family (as opposed to self only) is transferred automatically to his or her eligible survivor annuitants. The enrollment is considered to be that of (1) the survivor annuitant from whose annuity all or the greatest portion of the withholding for health benefits is made or (2) the surviving spouse entitled to a basic employee death benefit. The enrollment covers members of the family of the deceased employee or annuitant. In those instances in which the annuity is split among surviving family members, multiple enrollments are allowed. A remarried spouse is not a member of the family of the deceased employee or annuitant unless annuity under section 8341 or 8442 of title 5, United States Code, continues after remarriage. (d)(1) Survivor annuitants. If an employee who is entitled to health benefits coverage as a survivor annuitant elects to enroll or to continue to be enrolled under his eligibility as an employee, and is thereafter separated without entitlement to continued enrollment based on his own service, he is entitled to reinstatement of his employee-acquired enrollment on application to his retirement office. Reinstatement is effective immediately after termination of his employee-acquired enrollment if the application is received by the retirement office within 60 days of separation; otherwise reinstatement is effective on the first day of the first pay period after receipt of the application. The retirement office shall withhold from the annuity that the former employee receives as a survivor annuitant, the amounts necessary to pay his share of the cost of the enrollment. (2) Employee becomes a survivor annuitant. (i) If an employee who is entitled to health benefits coverage as a survivor annuitant elects to enroll or to continue to be enrolled under his or her eligibility as an employee, and is thereafter separated without entitlement to continued enrollment based on his or her own service, the employee is entitled to reinstatement of the enrollment as a survivor annuitant on application to the retirement office. Reinstatement as a survivor annuitant is effective on the day after the termination date of the employee-acquired enrollment if the application is received by the retirement office within 60 days of separation; otherwise, reinstatement is effective on the first day of the first pay period after receipt of the application. The retirement office shall withhold from the annuity that the former employee receives as a survivor annuitant the amounts necessary to pay the health benefits premium. (ii) If the surviving spouse of a deceased employee or annuitant is enrolled as an employee with a self and family enrollment (or, if both the decedent and the surviving spouse were enrolled in a self only enrollment) at the time the surviving spouse becomes a survivor annuitant and the surviving spouse is thereafter separated without entitlement to continued enrollment as a retiree, the surviving spouse is entitled to enroll as a survivor annuitant. The change from coverage as an employee to coverage as a survivor annuitant must be made with 30 days of separation from service. (iii) Except for an employee who meets the definition of former spouse under 5 U.S.C. 8901(10) based on an individual's deferred annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8341(h) or 8445(f), the employee survivor of an annuitant receiving deferred retirement benefits is not eligible for FEHB Program enrollment as a survivor annuitant and therefore may not enroll as a survivor annuitant based on coverage obtained as an employee. (3) Insurance interest survivor annuity. A current spouse who is an insurable interest beneficiary under §831.606(b) or §842.605(b) of this title is eligible to continue health benefits enrollment as an insurable interest survivor annuitant so long as he or she was covered as a family member at the time of the annuitant's death. This entitlement applies even if the spouse is eligible for continued enrollment as a survivor annuitant under another section of 5 CFR parts 831 or 843. To prevent dual coverage, the spouse must be covered under only one health benefits enrollment under this part. (e) In nonpay status. (1) Except as otherwise provided by law, the enrollment of an employee continues while he/she is in nonpay status for up to 365 days. The 365 days' nonpay status may be continuous or broken by periods of less than 4 consecutive months in pay status. If an employee has at least 4 consecutive months in pay status after a period of nonpay status he/she is entitled to begin the 365 days' continuation of enrollment anew. For the purposes of this paragraph, 4 consecutive months in pay status means any 4-month period during which the employee is in pay status for at least part of each pay period. (2) However, in the case of an employee who is employed under an OPM approved career-related work-study program under Schedule B of at least one year's duration and who is expected to be in a pay status during not less than one-third of the total period of time from the date of the first appointment to the completion of the work-study program, his/her enrollment continues while he/she is in nonpay status so long as he/she is participating in the work-study program. (f) [Reserved] (g) Former spouse entitled to coverage as employee or member of family. An individual entitled to health benefits as a former spouse who also has or becomes entitled to health benefits coverage as a Federal employee or as a family member under another enrollment under this part may defer or suspend coverage as a former spouse and continue his or her coverage as an employee or family member. The former spouse must have established entitlement to the health benefits coverage under §890.803 of this part and filed all required documents with the employing office responsible for maintaining the former spouse enrollment within the time limits specified in §890.805 of this part. The employing office shall note in the former spouse's file that the former spouse health benefits enrollment is being deferred or suspended until coverage as a Federal employee or as a family member ends. Upon loss of coverage as a Federal employee or as a family member, the individual is entitled to enroll or resume the enrollment as a former spouse, provided he or she remains eligible as such. A former spouse who enrolls because he or she lost coverage under another enrollment under this part for a reason other than cancellation must meet the requirements of §890.301(g)(2). A former spouse who enrolls because he or she lost coverage under another enrollment under this part as a result of cancellation of the covering enrollment must meet the requirements of §890.301(g)(4). (h) Temporary continuation of coverage. Certain former employees who lose coverage because of a separation from Federal service, certain children who lose coverage because they cease to meet the requirements for coverage as children, and certain former spouses who lose coverage because their marriage to the enrollee ends and who are not eligible for coverage under subpart H of this part may elect temporary continuation of coverage under the provisions of subpart K of this part. (i) Service in the uniformed services. The enrollment of an individual who separates to enter the uniformed services under conditions that entitle him or her to benefits under part 353 of this chapter, or similar authority, may continue for the 18-month period beginning on the date that the absence to serve in the uniformed services begins, provided that the individual continues to be entitled to benefits under part 353 of this chapter, or similar authority. The enrollment of an employee who enters on military furlough or is placed in nonpay status to serve in the uniformed services may continue for the 18-month period beginning on the date that the absence to serve in the uniformed service begins, provided that the employee continues to be entitled to benefits under part 353 of this chapter, or similar authority. An employee in nonpay status is entitled to continued coverage under paragraph (e) of this section if the employee's entitlement to benefits under part 353 of this chapter, or similar authority, ends before the expiration of 365 days in nonpay status. The enrollment of an employee who met the requirements of chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, on October 13, 1994, may continue for the 18-month period beginning on the date that the absence to serve in the uniformed services began, provided that the employee continues to be entitled to continued coverage under part 353 of this chapter, or similar authority. If the enrollment of such an employee had terminated due to the expiration of 365 days in nonpay status or because of the employee's separation from service, it may be reinstated for the remainder of the 18-month period beginning on the date that the absence to service in the uniformed service began, provided that the employee continues to be entitled to continued coverage under part 353 of this chapter, or similar authority. [33 FR 12510, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 47 FR 30962, July 16, 1982; 52 FR 17388, May 8, 1987; 52 FR 39496, Oct. 22, 1987, and 53 FR 32368, Aug. 25, 1988; 53 FR 40716, Oct. 18, 1988; 53 FR 45070, Nov. 8, 1988; 54 FR 52338, Dec. 21, 1989; 55 FR 1782, Jan. 19, 1990; 55 FR 13502, Apr. 11, 1990; 55 FR 22891, June 5, 1990; 57 FR 21191, May 19, 1992; 60 FR 45657, Sept. 1, 1995; 62 FR 38437, July 18, 1997; 63 FR 28891, May, 27, 1998; 64 FR 31487, June 11, 1999] (a) Employees. (1) An employee's enrollment terminates, subject to the temporary extension of coverage for conversion, at midnight of the earliest of the following dates: (i) The last day of the pay period in which he/she is separated from the service other than by retirement under conditions entitling him/her to continue his/her enrollment. (ii) The last day of the pay period in which he or she separates after meeting the requirements for an immediate annuity under §842.204(a)(1) of this chapter, but postpones receipt of annuity as provided by §842.204(c). (iii) The last day of the pay period in which his employment status changes so that he is excluded from enrollment. (iv) The last day of the pay period in which he dies, unless he leaves a member of the family entitled to continue enrollment as a survivor annuitant. (v) The last day of the pay period which includes the day on which the continuation of enrollment under §890.303(e) expires, or, if he/she is not entitled to any further continuation because he/she has not had 4 consecutive months of pay status since exhausting his/her 365 days' continuation of coverage in nonpay status, the last day of his/her last pay period in pay status. (vi) The day he or she is separated, furloughed, or placed on leave of absence to serve in the uniformed services under conditions entitling him or her to benefits under part 353 of this chapter, or similar authority, for the purpose of performing duty not limited to 30 days or less, provided the employee elects in writing to have the enrollment so terminated. (vii) For an employee who separates to serve in the uniformed services under conditions entitling him or her to benefits under part 353 of this chapter, or similar authority, for the purpose of performing duty not limited to 30 days or less, the date that is 18 months after the date that the absence to serve in the uniformed services began or the date entitlement to benefits under part 353 of this chapter, or similar authority, ends, whichever is earlier, unless the enrollment is terminated under paragraph (a)(1)(vi) of this section. (viii) For an employee who is furloughed or placed on leave of absence under conditions entitling him or her to benefits under part 353 of this chapter, or similar authority, the date that is 18 months after the date that the absence to serve in the uniformed services began or the date entitlement to benefits under part 353 of this chapter, or similar authority, ends, whichever is earlier, but not earlier than the date the enrollment would otherwise terminate under paragraph (a)(1)(v) of this section. (2) If the pay of a temporary employee eligible under 5 U.S.C. 8906a is insufficient to pay the withholdings for the plan in which the employee is enrolled, and the employee does not, or cannot, elect a plan under §890.301(l) at a cost to him or her not in excess of the pay, the employing office must terminate the employee's enrollment effective as of the end of the last period for which withholding was made. Each temporary employee whose enrollment is so terminated is entitled to a 31-day extension of coverage for conversion. (b) Annuitants. (1) If the annuity of an annuitant is insufficient to pay the withholdings for the plan in which the annuitant is enrolled, the annuitant may elect one of the two opportunities offered under §890.306(q) of this part (electing a plan with a withholding not in excess of the annuity; or, paying premiums directly to the retirement system in accordance with §890.502(f) of this part). The retirement system will send two notices to the annuitant, including one by certified mail return receipt requested. Continuation of coverage rests upon electing direct payment or new coverage within 15 days (45 days for annuitants residing overseas) after receipt of the final notice. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the enrollment of an individual who fails to make an election within the specified time frame will be terminated. An annuitant whose enrollment is terminated because of failure to make an election may not reenroll or reinstate coverage, except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. Each annuitant whose enrollment is so terminated is entitled to a 31-day extension of coverage for conversion. (2) If the individual was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from making an election within the time limit after receipt of the final notice, he or she may request reinstatement of coverage by writing to the retirement system. The retirement system will determine if the individual is eligible for reinstatement of coverage; and, when the determination is affirmative, the individual's coverage may be reinstated retroactively to the date of termination or prospectively. If the determination is negative, the individual may request reconsideration of the decision from OPM. (3) If the annuitant does not make an election under paragraph (b)(1) of this section and is enrolled in the high option of a plan that has two options, the annuitant is deemed to have elected enrollment in the standard option of the same plan unless the annuity is insufficient to pay the withholdings for the standard option. (4) An annuitant's enrollment terminates, subject to the temporary extension of coverage for conversion, at midnight of the last day of the pay period in which he dies, unless he leaves a member of the family entitled to continue enrollment as a survivor annuitant, or, if his enrollment is not terminated by death, at midnight of the earliest of the following dates: (i) The last day of the last pay period for which he is entitled to annuity, unless he is eligible for continued enrollment as an employee in which case his enrollment continues without change. (ii) The last day of the pay period in which his title to compensation under subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, terminates, or in which he is held by the Secretary of Labor to be able to return to duty, unless he is eligible for continued enrollment as an employee or as an annuitant under a retirement system for civilian employees in which case his enrollment continues without change. (iii) The day he enters on active duty in a uniformed service for the purpose of performing duty not limited to 30 days or less, provided the annuitant elects, in writing, to terminate the enrollment. (iv) The last day of the month preceding the month in which a survivor annuitant in receipt of basic employee death benefits under 5 U.S.C. 8442(b)(1)(A) remarries before attaining age 55. (c) Coverage of family members. The coverage of a family member of an enrollee terminates, subject to the temporary extension of coverage for conversion, at midnight of the earlier of the following dates: (1) The day on which he or she ceases to be a family member; (2) The day the enrollee ceases to be enrolled, unless the family member is entitled, as a survivor annuitant, to continued enrollment, or is entitled to continued coverage under the enrollment of another. (d) Cancellation or suspension. (1)(i) An employee who participates in health insurance premium conversion as provided in part 892 of this chapter may cancel his or her enrollment only during an open season or because of and consistent with a qualifying life event defined in §892.101 of this chapter. (ii) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (d)(iii) of this section, an enrollee who does not participate in premium conversion may cancel his or her enrollment at any time by filing an appropriate request with the employing office. The cancellation is effective at the end of the last day of the pay period in which the employing office receives the appropriate request canceling the enrollment. (iii) An employee who is subject to a court or administrative order as discussed in §890.301(g)(3), or an annuitant who was subject to such a court or administrative order at the time of his or her retirement, may not cancel or suspend his or her enrollment as long as the court or administrative order is still in effect and the enrollee has at least one child identified in the order who is still eligible under the FEHB Program, unless the employee or annuitant provides documentation to the agency that he or she has other coverage for the child or children. (2) An annuitant or survivor annuitant may suspend enrollment in FEHB for the purpose of enrolling in a Medicare-sponsored plan under sections 1833, 1876, or 1851 of the Social Security Act, or to enroll in the Medicaid program or a similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance for the needy, or to use Peace Corps or CHAMPVA or TRICARE (including coverage provided by the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan) or TRICARE-for-Life instead of FEHB coverage. To suspend FEHB coverage, documentation of eligibility for coverage under the non-FEHB program must be submitted to the retirement system. If the documentation is received within the period beginning 31 days before and ending 31 days after the effective date of the enrollment in the Medicare-sponsored plan, or the Medicaid or similar program, or within 31 days before or after the day designated by the annuitant or survivor annuitant as the day he or she wants to suspend FEHB coverage to use Peace Corps or CHAMPVA or TRICARE (including the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan) or TRICARE-for-Life instead of FEHB coverage, then suspension will be effective at the end of the day before the effective date of the enrollment or the end of the day before the day designated. Otherwise, the suspension is effective the first day of the first pay period that begins after the date the retirement system receives the documentation. (3) The enrollee and covered family members are not entitled to the temporary extension of coverage for conversion or to convert to an individual contract for health benefits. (e) Temporary continuation of coverage. Employees and family members are entitled to temporary continuation of coverage only as provided under subpart K of this part. [33 FR 12510, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 47 FR 30962, July 16, 1982; 52 FR 39496, Oct. 22, 1987, and 53 FR 32368, Aug. 25, 1988; 53 FR 32369, Aug. 25, 1988; 54 FR 52338, Dec. 21, 1989; 55 FR 996, Jan. 11, 1990; 55 FR 3564, Feb. 2, 1990; 55 FR 22891, June 5, 1990; 56 FR 25996, June 6, 1991; 57 FR 48162, Oct. 22, 1992; 58 FR 47825, Sept. 13, 1993; 60 FR 45658, Sept. 1, 1995; 62 FR 38437, July 18, 1997; 62 FR 49557, Sept. 22, 1997; 64 FR 31487, June 11, 1999; 65 FR 44646, July 19, 2000; 66 FR 49086, Sept. 26, 2001; 67 FR 41306, June 18, 2002; 68 FR 56524, Oct. 1, 2003; 69 FR 56928, Sept. 23, 2004; 70 FR 71749, Nov. 30, 2005] (a) The enrollment of an employee or annuitant whose enrollment was terminated under §890.304(a)(1)(vi), (vii), or (viii) or §890.304(b)(4)(iii) is automatically reinstated on the day the employee is restored to a civilian position under the provisions of part 353 of this chapter, or similar authority, or on the day the annuitant is separated from the uniformed services, as the case may be. (b) An employee whose employing office terminates his or her enrollment because his or her order to enter on duty in a uniformed service is for a period longer than 30 days, and who retires on an immediate annuity from his or her Federal civilian position while on such duty, may reinstate his or her enrollment by asking to do so within 60 days after retirement. In the absence of such a request, the retirement system automatically reinstates the enrollment on the day the person separates from the uniformed service. For the retirement system to reinstate the enrollment, the individual must have been covered under this part since his or her first opportunity or for the 5 years of civilian service (excluding the period of uniformed service) immediately preceding the civilian retirement, whichever is shorter. [43 FR 52460, Nov. 13, 1978, as amended at 59 FR 60296, Nov. 23, 1994; 60 FR 45658, Sept. 1, 1995; 64 FR 31488, June 11, 1999] (a) Requirements to continue coverage. (1) To be eligible to continue coverage in a plan under this part, a former employee in receipt of an annuity must meet the statutory requirements under 5 U.S.C. 8905(b) of having retired on an immediate annuity and having been covered by a plan under this part for the 5 years of service immediately before retirement, or if less than 5 years, for all service since his or her first opportunity to enroll, unless OPM waives the requirement under §890.108. (2) To be eligible to continue coverage in a plan under this part, a survivor annuitant must be covered as a family member when the employee or annuitant dies. (b) Effective date—generally. Except as otherwise provided, an annuitant's change of enrollment takes effect on the first day of the first pay period that begins after the date the employing office receives an appropriate request to change the enrollment. (c) Belated enrollment. When an employing office determines that an annuitant was unable, for cause beyond his or her control, to continue coverage by enrolling in his or her own name or change the enrollment within the time limits prescribed by this section, the annuitant may do so within 60 days after the employing office advises the annuitant of its determination. (d) Enrollment by proxy. Subject to the discretion of the employing office, an annuitant's representative, having written authorization to do so, may continue the annuitant's coverage by enrolling in the annuitant's own name, or change the enrollment for the annuitant. (e) Enrollment change to self only. (1) With one exception, an annuitant may change the enrollment from self and family to self only at any time. Exception: An annuitant who, as an employee, was subject to a court or administrative order as discussed in §890.301(g)(3) at the time he or she retired may not change to self only after retirement as long as the court or administrative order is still in effect and the annuitant has at least one child identified in the order who is still eligible under the FEHB Program, unless the annuitant provides documentation to the retirement system that he or she has other coverage for the child or children. (2) A change of enrollment to self only takes effect on the first day of the first pay period that begins after the date the employing office receives an appropriate request to change the enrollment, except that at the request of the annuitant and upon a showing satisfactory to the employing office that there was no family member eligible for coverage under the family enrollment, the employing office may make the change effective on the first day of the pay period following the one in which there was no family member. (f) Open season. (1) During an open season as provided by §890.301(f)— (i) With one exception, an enrolled annuitant may change the enrollment from self only to self and family, may change from one plan or option to another, or may make any combination of these changes. Exception: An annuitant who, as an employee, was subject to a court or administrative order as discussed in §890.301(g)(3) at the time he or she retired may not cancel or suspend his or her enrollment, change to self only, or change to a comprehensive medical plan that does not serve the area where his or her children live after retirement as long as the court or administrative order is still in effect and the annuitant has at least one child identified in the order who is still eligible under the FEHB Program, unless the annuitant provides documentation to the retirement system that he or she has other coverage for the child or children. (ii) An annuitant or survivor annuitant who suspended enrollment under this part to enroll in a Medicare-sponsored plan under sections 1833, 1876, or 1851 of the Social Security Act, or to enroll in a Medicaid or similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance for the needy, or to use Peace Corps or CHAMPVA or TRICARE (including the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan) or TRICARE-for-Life coverage instead of FEHB coverage, may reenroll. (2) An open season reenrollment or change of enrollment takes effect on the first day of the first pay period that begins in January of the next following year. (3) When a belated open season reenrollment or change of enrollment is accepted by the employing office under paragraph (c) of this section, it takes effect as required by paragraph (f)(2) of this section. (g) Change in family status. (1) An enrolled former employee in receipt of an annuity may change the enrollment from self only to self and family, from one plan or option to another, or make any combination of these changes when the annuitant's family status changes, including a change in martial status or any other change in family status. In the case of an enrolled survivor annuitant, a change in family status based on additional family members occurs only if the additional family members are family members of the deceased employee or annuitant. The annuitant must change the enrollment within the period beginning 31 days before the date of the change in family status, and ending 60 days after the date of the change in family status. (2) A change of enrollment made in conjunction with the birth of a child, or the addition of a child as a new family member in some other manner, takes effect on the first day of the pay period in which the child is born or becomes an eligible family member. (h) Reenrollment of annuitants or survivor annuitants who suspended enrollment to enroll in a Medicare-sponsored plan, or a Medicaid or similar State-sponsored program; or to use Peace Corps or CHAMPVA or TRICARE (including the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan) or TRICARE-for-Life coverage instead of FEHB coverage. (1) An annuitant or survivor annuitant who had been enrolled (or was eligible to enroll) for coverage under this part and suspended the enrollment for the purpose of enrolling in a Medicare sponsored plan under sections 1833, 1876, or 1851 of the Social Security Act, or to enroll in the Medicaid program or a similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance for the needy, or to use Peace Corps or CHAMPVA or TRICARE (including the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan) or TRICARE-for-Life coverage instead of the FEHB Program (as provided by §890.304(d)), and who subsequently involuntarily loses coverage under one of these programs, may immediately reenroll in any available FEHB plan under this part at any time beginning 31 days before and ending 60 days after the loss of coverage. A reenrollment under this paragraph (h) of this section takes effect on the date following the effective date of the loss of coverage as shown on the documentation from the non-FEHB coverage. If the request to reenroll is not received by the retirement system within the time period specified, the annuitant must wait until the next available Open Season to reenroll. (2) An annuitant or survivor annuitant who suspended enrollment in the FEHB Program to enroll in a Medicare sponsored plan or the Medicaid or similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance for the needy, or to use Peace Corps or CHAMPVA or TRICARE (including the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan) or TRICARE-for-Life, but now wants to reenroll in the FEHB Program for any reason other than an involuntary loss of coverage, may do so during the next available Open Season (as provided by paragraph (f) of this section). (i) [Reserved] (j) Annuitants who apply for postponed minimum retirement age plus 10 years of service (MRA plus 10) annuity. (1) A former employee who meets the requirements for an immediate annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8412(g) and for continuation of coverage under 5 U.S.C. 8905(b) at the time of separation, and whose enrollment is terminated under §890.304(a)(1)(ii) may enroll in a health benefits plan under this part within 60 days after OPM mails the former employee a notice of eligibility. If such former employee dies before the end of this 60-day election period, a survivor who is entitled to a survivor annuity may enroll in a health benefits plan under this part within 60 days after OPM mails the survivor a notice of eligibility. (2) The former employee's enrollment takes effect on the first day of the month following the month in which OPM receives the appropriate request or on the commencing date of annuity, whichever is later. A survivor's enrollment takes effect on the first day of the month following the month in which OPM receives the appropriate request. (k) Restoration of annuity or compensation payments. (1) A disability annuitant who was enrolled in a health benefits plan under this part immediately before his or her disability annuity was terminated because of restoration to earning capacity or recovery from disability, and whose disability annuity is restored under 5 U.S.C. 8337(e) after December 31, 1983, or 8455(b), may enroll in a health benefits plan under this part within 60 days after OPM mails a notice of insurance eligibility. The enrollment takes effect on the first day of the month after the date OPM receives the appropriate request. (2) An annuitant who was enrolled in a health benefits plan under this part immediately before his or her compensation was terminated because OWCP determined that he or she had recovered from the job-related injury or disease, and whose compensation is restored due to a recurrence of disability, may enroll in a health benefits plan under this part within 60 days after OWCP mails a notice of insurance eligibility. The enrollment takes effect on the first day of the pay period after the date OWCP receives the appropriate request. (3) A surviving spouse who was covered by a health benefits enrollment under this part immediately before his or her survivor annuity was terminated because of remarriage, and whose survivor annuity is later restored, may enroll in a health benefits plan under this part within 60 days after OPM mails a notice of eligibility. The enrollment takes effect on either— (i) The first day of the month after the date OPM receives the appropriate request; or (ii) The date of restoration of the survivor annuity or October 1, 1976, whichever is later. (4) A surviving child who was covered by a health benefits enrollment under this part immediately before his or her survivor annuity was terminated because he or she ceased being a student, and whose survivor annuity is later restored, may enroll in a health benefits plan under this part within 60 days after OPM mails a notice of eligibility. The enrollment takes effect on the first day of the month after the date OPM receives the appropriate request or the date of restoration of the survivor annuity, whichever is later. (5) A surviving child who was covered by a health benefits enrollment under this part immediately before his or her survivor annuity was terminated because he or she married, and whose survivor annuity is later restored because the marriage ended, may enroll in a health benefits plan under this part within 60 days after OPM mails a notice of eligibility. The enrollment takes effect on the first day of the month after the date OPM receives the appropriate request or the date of restoration of the survivor annuity, whichever is later. (6) A surviving spouse who received a basic employee death benefit under 5 U.S.C. 8442(b)(1)(A) and who was covered by a health benefits enrollment under this part immediately before remarriage prior to age 55, may enroll in a health benefits plan under this part upon termination of the remarriage. The survivor must provide OPM with a certified copy of the notice of death or the court order terminating the marriage. The surviving spouse must enroll within 60 days after OPM mails a notice of eligibility. The enrollment takes effect on the first day of the month after the date OPM receives the appropriate request and the notice of death or court order terminating the remarriage. (l) Loss of coverage under this part or under another group insurance plan. An annuitant who meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, and who is not enrolled but is covered by another enrollment under this part may continue coverage by enrolling in his or her own name when the annuitant loses coverage under the other enrollment under this part. An enrolled annuitant may change the enrollment from self only to self and family, from one plan or option to another, or make any combination of these changes when the annuitant or an eligible family member of the annuitant loses coverage under this part or under another group health benefits plan. Except as otherwise provided, an annuitant must enroll or change the enrollment within the period beginning 31 days before the date of loss of coverage and ending 60 days after the date of loss of coverage. Losses of coverage include, but are not limited to— (1) Loss of coverage under another FEHB enrollment due to the termination, cancellation, or a change to self only, of the covering enrollment; (2) Loss of coverage under another federally-sponsored health benefits program; (3) Loss of coverage due to the termination of membership in an employee organization sponsoring or underwriting an FEHB plan; (4) Loss of coverage due to the discontinuance of an FEHB plan in whole or in part. For an annuitant who loses coverage under this paragraph (l)(4)— (i) If the discontinuance is at the end of a contract year, the annuitant must change the enrollment during the open season, unless OPM establishes a different time. If the discontinuance is at a time other than the end of the contract year, OPM must establish a time and effective date for the annuitant to change the enrollment; (ii) If a plan discontinues all of its existing options, an annuitant who does not change his or her enrollment is deemed to have enrolled in the option of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan that OPM determines most closely approximates the terminated plan, except when the annuity is insufficient to pay the withholdings, then paragraph (q) of this section applies. (iii) If a plan has two options, and one option of the plan is discontinued, an annuitant who does not change the enrollment is considered to be enrolled in the remaining option of the plan, except when the annuity is insufficient to pay the withholdings, then paragraph (q) of this section applies. (iv) After an involuntary enrollment under paragraph (l)(4)(ii) or (iii) of this section becomes effective, the annuitant may change the enrollment to the other option of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan or to another health plan of his or her choice retroactively within 90-days after OPM advises the annuitant of the new enrollment; (5) Loss of coverage under the Medicaid program or similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance for the needy. (6) Loss of coverage under a non-Federal health plan. (m) Move from comprehensive medical plan's area. An annuitant in a comprehensive medical plan who moves or becomes employed outside the geographic area from which the plan accepts enrollments, or, if already outside this area, moves or becomes employed further from this area, may change the enrollment upon notifying the employing office of the move or change of place of employment. Similarly, an annuitant whose covered family member moves outside the geographic area from which the plan accepts enrollments, or if already outside this area, moves further from this area, may change the enrollment upon notifying the employing office of the family member's move. The change of enrollment takes effect on the first day of the pay period that begins after the employing office receives an appropriate request. (n) Overseas post of duty. An annuitant may change the enrollment from self only to self and family, from one plan or option to another, or make any combination of these changes within 60 days after the retirement or death of the employee on whose service title to annuity is based, if the employee was stationed at a post of duty outside a State of the United States or the District of Columbia at the time of retirement or death. (o) On return from a uniformed service. An enrolled annuitant who enters on duty in a uniformed service for 31 days or more may change the enrollment within 60 days after separation from the uniformed service. (p) On becoming eligible for Medicare. An annuitant may change the enrollment from one plan or option to another at any time beginning on the 30th day before becoming eligible for coverage under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare). A change of enrollment based on becoming eligible for Medicare may be made only once. (q) Annuity insufficient to pay withholdings. (1) If an annuity is insufficient to pay the withholdings for the plan that the annuitant is enrolled in, the retirement system must provide the annuitant with information regarding the available plans and written notification of the opportunity to either— (i) Pay the premium directly to the retirement system in accordance with §890.502(d); or (ii) Enroll in any plan in which the annuitant's share of the premium is less than the amount of annuity. If the annuitant elects to change to a lower cost enrollment, the change takes effect immediately upon loss of coverage under the prior enrollment. The exemptions from debt collection procedures that are provided under §831.1305(d)(2) and §845.205(d)(2) of this chapter apply to elections under this paragraph (q)(1)(ii). (2) If the annuitant is enrolled in the high option of a plan that has two options, and does not change the enrollment to a plan in which the annuitant's share of the premium is less than the amount of annuity or does not elect to pay premiums directly, the annuitant is deemed to have enrolled in the standard option of the same plan, unless the annuity is insufficient to pay the withholdings for the standard option. (3) An annuitant whose enrollment was terminated because the amount of annuity was insufficient to cover the enrollee's share of the premium may apply to be reinstated in any available plan or option. (4) An annuitant who can show evidence that he or she previously changed to a lower cost option, plan, or to a self-only enrollment prior to May 29, 1990, because the annuity was insufficient to cover the withholdings for the plan in which he or she was enrolled, may apply to change the enrollment to any available plan or option in which the enrollee's share of the total premium exceeds his or her monthly annuity. (5) The effective date of the reinstatement of enrollment of an annuitant whose enrollment was terminated, or the change of enrollment of an annuitant who previously changed enrollment because his or her annuity was insufficient to cover the annuitant's share of the total premium, and who elects to pay premiums directly to the retirement system in accordance with §890.502(f) is either— (i) The first day of the first pay period that begins after the appropriate request is received by the retirement system; or, (ii) The later of the date the enrollment was terminated or changed, or May 29, 1990. (6) Retroactive reinstatement or change of enrollment is contingent upon payment of appropriate contributions retroactive to the effective date of the reinstatement or the change of enrollment. For the purpose of this paragraph (q)(6), a previous cancellation of enrollment because of insufficient annuity to cover the full amount of the withholdings is deemed to be a termination of enrollment. (r) Sole survivor. When an employee or annuitant enrolled for self and family dies, leaving a survivor annuitant who is entitled to continue the enrollment, and it is apparent from available records that the survivor annuitant is the sole survivor entitled to continue the enrollment, the office of the retirement system which is acting as employing office must change the enrollment from self and family to self only, effective on the commencing date of the survivor annuity. On request of the survivor annuitant made within 31 days after the first installment of annuity is paid, the office of the retirement system which is acting as employing office must rescind the action retroactive to the effective date of the change to self only, with corresponding adjustment in withholdings and contributions. (s) Election between survivor annuities. A surviving spouse, irrespective of whether his or her survivor annuity continued or was terminated upon remarriage, who was covered by an enrollment under this part immediately before the remarriage, may elect to continue an enrollment under this part acquired as a dependent by virtue of the remarriage or to enroll in his or her own right (by virtue of entitlement to the original survivor annuity) in any plan or option under this part within 60 days after the termination of the remarriage and entitlement to a survivor annuity. [62 FR 38437, July 18, 1997, as amended at 66 FR 49086, Sept. 26, 2001; 67 FR 41306, June 18, 2002; 68 FR 56525, Oct. 1, 2003; 69 FR 31722, June 7, 2004; 69 FR 56928, Sept. 23, 2004; 70 FR 33798, June 10, 2005; 70 FR 71749, Nov. 30, 2005] (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (f) of this section, when annuity or compensation is entirely waived or suspended, the annuitant's enrollment continues for not more than 3 months (not more than 12 weeks for annuitants whose compensation under subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, is paid each 4 weeks). If the waiver or suspension continues beyond this period, the employing office will notify the annuitant in writing that the employing office will terminate the enrollment effective at the end of the period, subject to the temporary extension of coverage for conversion, unless the annuitant elects to make payment of the premium directly to the employing office during the period of waiver. If the annuitant elects to have the enrollment terminated, the employing office automatically reinstates the enrollment on a prospective basis when the annuitant again receives payment of annuity or compensation. The employing office will make the withholding for the period of waiver or suspension during which enrollment was continued (i.e., 3 months or less). (b) If the annuitant elects to pay premiums directly, he or she must send to the employing office his or her share of the subscription charge for the enrollment for every pay period during which the enrollment continues, exclusive of the 31-day temporary extension of coverage for conversion provided in §890.401. The annuitant must pay after each pay period he or she is covered in accordance with a schedule established by the employing office. If the employing office does not receive payment by the date due, the employing office must notify the annuitant in writing that continuation of coverage depends upon payment being made within 15 days (45 days for annuitants residing overseas) after receipt of the notice. If no further payments are made, the employing office terminates the enrollment 60 days after the date of the notice (90 days for annuitants residing overseas). The employing office automatically reinstates enrollment on a prospective basis when payment of annuity or compensation resumes. (c) If the annuitant is prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from paying within 15 days after receipt of the notice, he or she may request reinstatement of coverage by writing to the employing office. The annuitant must file the request within 30 calendar days from the date of termination, and must include supporting documentation. The employing office will determine if the annuitant is eligible for reinstatement of coverage; and, when the determination is affirmative, reinstate the coverage of the annuitant retroactive to the date of termination. If the determination is negative, the annuitant may request a review of the decision as provided in §890.104. (d) Termination of enrollment for failure to pay premiums within the time frame established in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section is retroactive to the end of the last pay period for which the employing office timely received payment. (e) The employing office will submit all direct premium payments along with its regular health benefits premiums to OPM in accordance with procedures established by OPM. (f) If suspension of annuity or compensation is because of reemployment, the reemploying office must make the withholding currently and enrollment continues during reemployment. [59 FR 60296, Nov. 23, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67607, Dec. 30, 1994] (a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a carrier that cannot reconcile its record of an individual's enrollment with agency enrollment records or does not receive documentation necessary to resolve the discrepancy from the employing office within 31 days of a request must provide written notice to the individual that the employing office of record does not show him or her as enrolled in the carrier's plan and that he or she will be disenrolled 31 calendar days after the date of the notice unless the enrollee provides appropriate documentation to resolve the discrepancy. Appropriate documentation includes, but is not limited to, a copy of the Standard Form 2809 (basic enrollment document) (or a letter confirming an electronic transaction), the Standard Form 2810 transferring the enrollment into the gaining employing office (or the equivalent electronic submission), copies of earnings and leave statements or annuity statements showing withholdings for the health benefits plan, or a document or other credible information from the enrollee's employing office stating that the individual is entitled to continued enrollment in the plan and that the premiums are being paid. After receiving documentation from the enrollee, the carrier must notify both the enrollee and the employing office of record of their decision on the information. (2) If the carrier does not receive documentation required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section within the specified time frame, the carrier should disenroll the individual, without further notice. (3) The enrollee may request his or her employing office to reconsider the carrier's decision to disenroll the individual. The request for reconsideration must be made in writing and must include the enrollee's name, address, Social Security Number or other personal identification number, name of carrier, reason(s) for the request, and, if applicable, retirement claim number. The employing office must notify the carrier when a request for reconsideration of the decision to disenroll the individual is made. (4) A request for reconsideration of the carrier's decision must be filed within 60 calendar days after the date of the carrier's disenrollment notice. The time limit on filing may be extended when the individual shows that he or she was not notified of the time limit and was not otherwise aware of it, or that he or she was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from making the request within the time limit. (5) After reconsideration, the employing office must issue a written notice of its final decision to the individual and notify the carrier of the decision. The notice must fully set forth the findings and conclusions on which the decision was based. If upon reconsideration the employing office determines the individual is entitled to continued enrollment in the plan, the disenrollment under paragraph (a)(2) of this section is void and coverage is reinstated retroactively. (6) If, at any time after the disenrollment has occurred, the employing office or OPM determines that another section of this part applies to the individual's enrollment or the carrier discovers or receives appropriate documentation showing that another section of this part applies to the individual's enrollment, the disenrollment under paragraph (a)(2) of this section is void and coverage is reinstated retroactively. (b) When a carrier receives, from any reliable source, information of the death of an enrollee with a self only enrollment, the carrier may take action to disenroll the individual on the date set forth in §890.304(a)(1)(iv) or §890.304(b)(4), as appropriate. When the date of death is unknown, the carrier may take action to disenroll the individual on the date which is the last day of the pay period in which information of the death is received. Reliable sources include, but are not limited to, claims for hospital or physician costs incurred at time of death and correspondence returned from the Postal Service noting that the addressee is deceased. If, at any time after the disenrollment has occurred, the employing office or OPM determines that another section of this part applies to the individual's enrollment or the carrier discovers or receives appropriate documentation showing that another section of this part applies to the individual's enrollment, the disenrollment under this paragraph (b) is void and coverage is reinstated retroactively. (c)(1) When a child survivor annuitant covered under a self only enrollment reaches age 22, the carrier may take action to disenroll the individual effective with the date set forth in §890.304(c)(1) unless records with the carrier indicate that the child is incapable of self support due to a physical or mental disability. The carrier must provide the enrollee with a written notice of disenrollment prescribed or approved by OPM prior to the date set forth in §890.304(c)(1). (2) The child survivor annuitant may request the retirement system to reconsider the carrier's decision to disenroll the individual. The request for reconsideration must be made in writing and include the enrollee's name, address, Social Security Number or other identifier, name of carrier, reason(s) for the request, and the survivor annuity claim number. The retirement system must notify the carrier when a request for reconsideration of the carrier's decision to disenroll the individual is made. (3) A request for reconsideration of the carrier's decision must be filed with the retirement system within 60 calendar days from the date of the carrier's disenrollment notice. The time limit on filing may be extended when the individual shows that he or she was not notified of the time limit and was not otherwise aware of it, or that he or she was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from making the request within the time limit. (4) After reconsideration, the retirement system must issue a written notice of its final decision to the child survivor annuitant and notify the carrier of the decision. The notice must fully set forth the findings and conclusions on which the decision was based. If upon reconsideration the retirement system determines that he or she is entitled to continued enrollment in the plan, the disenrollment under paragraph (c)(1) of this section is void and coverage is reinstated retroactively. (5) If, at any time after the disenrollment has occurred, the employing office or OPM determines that another provision of this part applies to the individual's enrollment or the carrier discovers or receives appropriate documentation showing that another section of this part applies to the individual's enrollment, the disenrollment under paragraph (c)(1) of this section is void and coverage is reinstated retroactively. (d) When an enrollee notifies the carrier that he or she has separated from Federal employment and is no longer eligible for enrollment, the carrier must disenroll the individual on the last day of the pay period in which the separation occurred, if known, otherwise the carrier must disenroll the employee on the date the employee provides as the date of separation. The carrier must provide the enrollee with a written notice of disenrollment prescribed or approved by OPM. [63 FR 59459, Nov. 4, 1998] (a) Thirty-one day extension and conversion. (1) An enrollee whose enrollment is terminated other than by cancellation of the enrollment or discontinuance of the plan, in whole or part, and a covered family member whose coverage is terminated other than by cancellation of the enrollment or discontinuance of the plan, in whole or in part, is entitled to a 31-day extension of coverage for self alone or self and family, as the case may be, without contributions by the enrollee or the Government, during which period he or she is entitled to exercise the right of conversion provided for by this part. The 31-day extension of coverage and the right of conversion for any person ends on the effective date of a new enrollment under this part covering the person. (2) Termination of an enrollment under this subpart for failure to pay premiums is considered a cancellation of the enrollment for the purposes of this section. (b) Continuation of benefits. (1) Any person who has been granted a 31-day extension of coverage in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section and who is confined in a hospital or other institution for care or treatment on the 31st day of the temporary extension is entitled to continuation of the benefits of the plan during the continuance of the confinement but not beyond the 60th day after the end of the temporary extension. (2) Except when a plan is discontinued in whole or in part or the Associate Director for Retirement and Insurance orders an enrollment change, a person whose enrollment has been changed from one plan to another, or from one option of a plan to the other option of that plan, and who is confined to a hospital or other institution for care or treatment on the last day of enrollment under the prior plan or option, is entitled to continuation of the benefits of the prior plan or option during the continuance of the confinement. Continuation of benefits shall not extend beyond the 91st day after the last day of enrollment in the prior plan or option. The plan or option to which enrollment has been changed shall not pay benefits with respect to that person while he or she is entitled to any inpatient benefits under the prior plan or option. The gaining plan or option shall begin coverage according to the limits of its FEHB Program contract on the day after the day all inpatient benefits have been exhausted under the prior plan or option or the 92nd day after the last day of enrollment in the prior plan or option, whichever is earlier. For the purposes of this paragraph, “exhausted” means paid or provided to the maximum benefit available under the contract. (3) Exception. The limit on the number of confinement days allowed to be covered under the continuation of benefits specified by paragraph (b)(2) of this subpart does not apply to confinements in a hospital or other institution when the charges and benefit payments for the services provided are covered by the limit specified in subpart I of this part. In these cases, the benefits continue until the end of the confinement. (c)(1) The employing agency must notify the enrollee of the termination of the enrollment and of the right to convert to an individual policy within 60 days after the date the enrollment terminates. (2) The individual whose enrollment terminates must request conversion information from the losing carrier within 31 days of the date of the agency notice of the termination of the enrollment and of the right to convert. (3) When an agency fails to provide the notification required in paragraph (c)(1) of this section within 60 days of the date the enrollment terminates, or the individual fails for other reasons beyond his or her control to request conversion as required in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, he or she may request conversion to an individual policy by writing directly to the carrier. Such a request must be filed within 6 months after the individual became eligible to convert his or her group coverage and must be accompanied by verification of termination of the enrollment; e.g., an SF 50, showing the individual's separation from the service. In addition, the individual must show that he or she was not notified of the termination of the enrollment and of the right to convert, and was not otherwise aware of it, or that he or she was unable, for cause beyond his or her control, to convert. The carrier will determine if the individual is eligible to convert; and when the determination is affirmative, the individual may convert within 31 days of the determination. If the determination by the carrier is negative, the individual may request a review of the carrier's determination from OPM. (4) When an individual converts his or her coverage anytime after the group coverage has ended, the individual plan coverage is retroactive to the day following the day the temporary extension of group coverage ended. The individual must pay the premiums due for the retroactive period. (5) An individual who fails to exercise his or her rights to convert to an individual policy within 31 days after receiving notice of the right to convert from the carrier is deemed to have declined the right to convert unless the carrier, or, upon review, OPM determines the failure was for cause beyond his or her control. [33 FR 12510, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 52 FR 10217, Mar. 31, 1987; 54 FR 52339, Dec. 21, 1989; 55 FR 22891, June 5, 1990; 57 FR 10609, Mar. 27, 1992; 57 FR 21191, May 19, 1992] (a) The Government contribution toward subscription charges under all health benefits plans, for each enrolled employee who is paid biweekly, is the amount provided in section 8906 of title 5, United States Code, plus 4 percent of that amount. (b) In accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8906(a) which take effect with the contract year that begins in January 1999, OPM will determine the amounts representing the weighted average of subscription charges in effect for each contract year, for self only enrollments and for self and family enrollments, as follows: (1) The determination of the weighted average of subscription charges will only include those health benefits plans which are continuing FEHB Program participation from one contract year to the next. (i) If OPM and the carrier for a plan that will continue participation have closed negotiations on rates for the upcoming contract year by September 1 of the current contract year, i.e., the determination year, OPM will use the plan's negotiated subscription charges for the upcoming contract year in the determination of the weighted average of subscription charges. (ii) If OPM and the carrier for a plan that applied to continue participation have not closed rate negotiations for the upcoming contract year by September 1 of the determination year, OPM will make a deemed adjustment to such plan's subscription charges for the current contract year for purposes of counting eligible enrollees of the plan in the determination of weighted average charges for the upcoming contract year. The deemed adjustment will equal any increase or decrease OPM finds in its determination of the weighted average of subscription charges for the upcoming contract year for all plans with which OPM has closed rates on September 1 of the determination year. (iii) There will be no subsequent adjustment in the weighted average charges applicable to the upcoming contract year to reflect rate negotiations closed after September 1 of the determination year. (2) Except as otherwise specified in paragraphs (b)(2) (i) and (b)(2)(ii) of this section, the weight OPM gives to each subscription charge for purposes of determining the weighted average of subscription charges for the upcoming contract year will be proportionate to the number of individuals who, as of March 31 of the determination year, are enrolled in the plan or benefits option to which such charge applies and are eligible for a Government health benefits contribution in the upcoming contract year. (i) When a subscription charge for an upcoming contract year applies to a plan that is the result of a merger of two or more plans which contract separately with OPM during the determination year, or applies to a plan which will cease to offer two benefits options, OPM will combine the self only enrollments and the self and family enrollments from the merging plans, or from a plan's two benefits options, for purposes of weighting subscription charges in effect for the successor plan for the upcoming contract year. (ii) When a comprehensive medical plan (CMP) varies subscription charges for different portions of the plan's service area and the plan's contract for the upcoming contract year will reconfigure geographic areas associated with subscription charges, so that there will not be a direct correlation between enrollment in the determination year and rating areas for the upcoming contract year, OPM will estimate what portion of the plan's enrollees on March 31 of the determination year will be subject to each of the plan's subscription rates for the upcoming contract year. (3) After OPM weights each subscription charge as provided in paragraphs (b)(2), (b)(2)(i), and (b)(2)(ii) of this section, OPM will compute the total of subscription charges associated with self only enrollments, and the total of subscription charges associated with self and family enrollments. OPM will divide each subscription charge total by the total number of enrollments such amount represents to obtain the program-wide weighted average subscription charges for self only and for self and family enrollments, respectively. (c) The Government contribution for annuitants and for employees who are not paid biweekly is a percentage of that fixed by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section proportionate to the length of the pay period, rounding fractions of a cent to the nearest cent. (d) The Government contribution for employees whose annual pay is paid during a period shorter than 52 workweeks is determined on an annual basis and prorated over the number of installments of pay regularly paid during the year. (e) Except as provided in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section, the employing office must make a contribution for an employee for each pay period during which the enrollment continues. (f) Temporary employees enrolled under 5 U.S.C. 8906a must pay the full subscription charge including the Government contribution. Employees with provisional appointments under §316.403 of this chapter are not considered to be enrolled under 5 U.S.C. 8906a for the purposes of this paragraph. (g) The Government contribution for an employee who enters the uniformed services and whose enrollment continues under §890.303(i) ceases after 365 days in nonpay status. [33 FR 12510, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 47 FR 30963, July 16, 1982; 54 FR 7756, Feb. 23, 1989; 56 FR 10143, Mar. 11, 1991; 60 FR 45658, Sept. 1, 1995; 63 FR 45934, Aug. 28, 1998; 64 FR 31488, June 11, 1999] (a) Employee and annuitant withholdings and contributions. (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2) and (g) of this section, an employee or annuitant is responsible for payment of the employee or annuitant share of the cost of enrollment for every pay period during which the enrollment continues. An employee or annuitant incurs an indebtedness due the United States in the amount of the proper employee or annuitant withholding required for each pay period that health benefits withholdings or direct premium payments are not made but during which the enrollment continues. (2) An individual is not required to pay withholdings for the period between the end of the pay period in which he or she separates from service and the commencing date of an immediate annuity, if later. (3) Temporary employees who are eligible to enroll under 5 U.S.C. 8906a must pay the full subscription charges including both the employee share and the Government contribution. Employees with provisional appointments under §316.403 are not considered eligible for coverage under 5 U.S.C. 8906a for the purpose of this paragraph (a)(3). (4) The employing office must determine the withholding for employees whose annual pay is paid during a period shorter than 52 workweeks on an annual basis and prorate the withholding over the number of installments of pay regularly paid during the year. (5) The employing office must make the withholding required from enrolled survivor annuitants in the following order. First, withhold from the annuity of a surviving spouse, if any. If that annuity is less than the withholding required, the employing office must make the withholding to the extent necessary from the annuity of the children, if any, in the following order. First, withhold from the annuity of the youngest child, and if necessary, then from the annuity of the next older child, in succession, until the withholding is satisfied. (6) Surviving spouses in receipt of a basic employee death benefit under 5 U.S.C. 8442(b)(1)(A) and annuitants whose health benefits premiums exceed the amount of their annuities may pay their portion of the health benefits premium directly to the retirement system acting as their employing office in accordance with procedures set out in paragraph (d) of this section. (b) Procedures when employee enters LWOP status or pay is insufficient to cover premium. As soon as the employing office is aware of an employee whose premium payments cannot be made because the employee will be entering or has entered leave without pay status, (or any other type of nonpay status, except periods of nonpay resulting from a lapse of appropriations), or the employee's pay is insufficient to cover the premiums, the employing office must inform the employee of the available health benefits options. (1) The employing office must provide the employee written notice of the options and consequences as described in paragraphs (b)(2) (i) and (ii) of this section. If the employing office cannot give the notice required by this paragraph (b)(1) to the employee directly, it must send the notice by first class mail. A notice that is mailed is deemed to be received 5 days after the date of the notice. (2) The employee must elect in writing either to continue health benefits coverage or terminate it. Exception: An employee who is subject to a court or administrative order as discussed in §890.301(g)(3) may not elect to terminate his or her enrollment as long as the court/administrative order is still in effect and the employee has at least one child identified in the order who is still eligible under the FEHB Program, unless the employee provides documentation that he or she has other coverage for the child or children. The employee may continue his or her health benefits coverage by choosing one of the options listed in this paragraph (b)(2) and returning the signed form to the employing office within 31 days from the day he or she receives the notice (45 days for an employee residing overseas). When an employee mails the signed form, the date of the postmark is deemed to be the date the notice is returned to the employing office. If an employee elects to continue coverage, he or she must elect in writing either to— (i) Agree to pay the premium directly to the agency on a current basis. The employee must agree that if he or she does not pay the premiums, upon returning to employment or upon pay becoming sufficient to cover the premiums, the employing office will deduct, in addition to the current pay period's premiums, an amount equal to the premiums for a pay period during which the employee was in LWOP status. The employing office will continue using this method to deduct the accrued unpaid premiums from salary until the debt is recovered in full. The employee must also agree that if he or she does not return to work or the employing office cannot recover the debt in full from salary, the employing office may recover the debt from whatever other sources it normally has available for recovery of a debt to the United States, or (ii) Agree upon returning to employment or upon pay becoming sufficient to cover the premiums, the employing office will deduct, in addition to the current pay period's premiums, an amount equal to the premiums for a pay period during which the employee was in LWOP status. The employing office will continue using this method to deduct the accrued unpaid premiums from salary until the debt is recovered in full. The employee must also agree that if he or she does not return to work or the employing office cannot recover the debt in full from salary, the employing office may recover the debt from whatever other sources it normally has available for recovery of a debt to the United States. (3) Except as provided under paragraph (b)(4) of this section, if the employee does not return the signed form within 31 days after the day he or she receives the notice (45 days for employees residing overseas) the employing office terminates the enrollment according to paragraph (b)(5) of this section. The employing office must give the employee written notification of the termination. (4)(i) If the employee is prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from returning a signed form to the employing office within the time frame under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, he or she may request reinstatement of coverage by writing to the employing office. The employee must describe the circumstances that prevented timely notice and file the request within 30 calendar days from the date the employing office gives the employee notification of the termination. The employing office determines if the employee is eligible for reinstatement of coverage. If the determination is affirmative, the employing office reinstates the coverage of the employee retroactive to the date of termination. If the determination is negative, the employee may request a review of the decision from the employing agency as provided under §890.104. (ii) If the employee is subject to a court or administrative order as discussed in §890.301(g)(3), the coverage may not terminate. If the employee does not return the signed form, the coverage will continue and the employee will incur a debt to the Government as discussed in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (b)(2)(ii) of this section. (5) Terminations of enrollment under paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of this section are retroactive to the end of the last pay period in which the premium was withheld from pay. The employee and covered family members, if any, are entitled to the temporary extension of coverage for conversion and may convert to an individual contract for health benefits. An employee whose coverage is terminated may enroll upon his or her return to duty in a pay status in a position in which the employee is eligible for coverage under this part. (c) Procedures when an agency underwithholds. (1) An agency that withholds less than the proper health benefits contributions from an individual's pay, annuity, or compensation must submit an amount equal to the sum of the uncollected contributions and any applicable agency contributions required under section 8906 of title 5, United States Code, to OPM for deposit in the Employees Health Benefits Fund. (2) The agency must make the deposit to OPM described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section as soon as possible, but no later than 60 calendar days after the date the employing office determines the amount of the underdeduction that has occurred, regardless of whether or when the agency recovers the underdeduction. A subsequent agency determination whether to waive collection of the overpayment of pay caused by failure to properly withhold employee health benefits contributions shall be made in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 5584 as implemented by 4 CFR chapter I, subchapter G, unless the agency involved is excluded from application of 5 U.S.C. 5584, in which case any applicable authority to waive the collection may be used. (d) Direct premium payments for annuitants. (1) If an annuity, excluding an annuity under Subchapter III of Chapter 84 (Thrift Savings Plan), is too low to cover the health benefits premium due or if a surviving spouse receives a basic employee death benefit, the retirement system must provide information to the annuitant or surviving spouse regarding the available plans and notify him or her in writing of the opportunity to either: enroll in any plan in which the enrollee's share of the premium is not in excess of the annuity; or make payment of the premium directly to the retirement system. (2) The retirement system must establish a method for accepting direct payment for health benefits premiums from surviving spouses who have received or are currently receiving basic employee death benefits as well as from annuitants whose annuities are too low to cover their health premiums. The annuitant or surviving spouse must continue to make direct payment of the health benefits premium even if the annuity increases to the extent that it covers the premium. (3) The annuitant or surviving spouse must pay to the retirement system his or her share of the premium for the enrollment for every pay period during which the enrollment continues, exclusive of the 31-day temporary extension of coverage for conversion provided in §890.401. The annuitant or surviving spouse must pay after each pay period in which he or she is covered in accordance with a schedule established by the retirement system. If the retirement system does not receive payment by the date due, the retirement system must notify the annuitant or surviving spouse in writing that continuation of coverage depends upon payment being made within 15 days (45 days for annuitants or surviving spouses residing overseas) after receipt of the notice. If no subsequent payments are made, the retirement system terminates the enrollment 60 days (90 days for annuitants or surviving spouses residing overseas) after the date of the notice. An annuitant or surviving spouse whose enrollment terminates because of nonpayment of premium may not reenroll or reinstate coverage, except as provided in paragraph (d)(4) of this section. (4) If the annuitant or surviving spouse is prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from paying within 15 days after receipt of the notice, he or she may request reinstatement of coverage by writing to the retirement system. The annuitant or surviving spouse must describe the circumstances that prevented timely notice and file the request within 30 calendar days from the date of termination. The retirement system determines whether the surviving spouse or annuitant is eligible for reinstatement of coverage. If the determination is affirmative, the retirement system reinstates the coverage of the surviving spouse or annuitant retroactive to the date of termination. If the determination is negative, the surviving spouse or annuitant may request a review of the decision from the retirement system as provided under §890.104. (5) Termination of enrollment for failure to pay premiums within the time frame established in accordance with paragraph (d)(3) of this section is retroactive to the end of the last pay period for which payment has been timely received. (6) The retirement system will submit all direct premium payments along with its regular health benefits premiums to OPM in accordance with procedures established by that office. (e) Direct payment of premiums during periods of LWOP status in excess of 365 days. (1) An employee who is granted leave without pay under subpart L of part 630 of this chapter which exceeds the 365 of continued coverage under section 890.303(e) must pay the employee contributions directly to the employing office on a current basis. (2) Payment must be made after the pay period in which the employee is covered in accordance with a schedule established by the employing office. If the employing office does not receive the payment by the date due, the employing office must notify the employee in writing that continuation of coverage depends upon payment being made within 15 days (45 days for employees residing overseas) after receipt of the notice. If no subsequent payments are made, the employing office terminates the enrollment 60 days (90 days for enrollees residing overseas) after the date of the notice. (3) If the enrollee was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from making payment within the timeframe specified in paragraph (e)(2) of this section he or she may request reinstatement of the coverage by writing to the employing office. The employee must file the request within 30 calendar days from the date of termination and must include supporting documentation. (4) The employing office determines whether the employee is eligible for reinstatement of coverage. If the determination is affirmative, the employing office reinstates the coverage of the employee retroactive to the date of termination. If the determination is negative, the employee may request a review of the decision from the employing agency as provided under §890.104. (5) An employee whose coverage is terminated under paragraph (e)(2) of this section may register to enroll upon his or her return to duty in a pay status in a position in which the employee is eligible for coverage under this part. (f) Uniformed services. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, an employee whose coverage continues under §890.303(i) is responsible for payment of the employee share of the cost of enrollment for every pay period for which the enrollment continues for the first 365 days of continued coverage as set forth under paragraph (b) of this section. For coverage that continues after 365 days in nonpay status, the employee must pay, on a current basis, the full subscription charge, including both the employee and Government shares, plus an additional 2 percent of the full subscription charge. (2) Payment of the employee's share of the cost of enrollment is waived for the first 365 days of continued coverage in the case of an employee whose coverage continues under §890.303(e) following furlough or placement on leave of absence under the provisions of part 353 of this chapter, or similar authority, or under §890.303(i) if the employee was ordered to active duty before September 1, 1995, under section 12301, 12304, 12306, 12307, or 688 of title 10, United States Code, in support of Operation Desert Storm. [33 FR 12510, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 47 FR 30963, July 16, 1982; 49 FR 1047, Jan. 9, 1984; 52 FR 3399, Feb. 4, 1987; 52 FR 39497, Oct. 22, 1987, and 53 FR 32368, Aug. 25, 1988; 54 FR 7756, Feb. 23, 1989; 55 FR 39131, Sept. 25, 1990; 56 FR 10143, Mar. 11, 1991; 56 FR 25997, June 6, 1991; 57 FR 10611, Mar. 27, 1992; 58 FR 39607, July 23, 1993; 60 FR 45658, Sept. 1, 1995; 61 FR 37808, July 22, 1996; 61 FR 64454, Dec. 5, 1996; 64 FR 31488, June 11, 1999; 68 FR 56525, Oct. 1, 2003; 69 FR 56929, Sept. 23, 2004] (a) The enrollment charge consists of the rate approved by OPM for payment to the plan for each enrollee, plus 4 percent, of which one part is for an administrative reserve and 3 parts are for a contingency reserve for the plan. (b) The administrative reserve is credited with the one one-hundred-and-fourth of the enrollment charge set aside for the administrative reserve. The administrative reserve is available for payment of administrative expenses of OPM incurred under this part, and for such other purposes as may be authorized by law. (c)(1) Contingency reserve. The contingency reserve for each plan is credited with— (i) The three one-hundred-and-fourths of the enrollment charge set aside for the contingency reserve from the enrollment charges for employees and annuitants enrolled for that plan; (ii) Amounts transferred in accordance with law from other contingency reserves and the administrative reserve; (iii) Income from investment of the reserve; (iv) Its proportionate share of the income from investment of the administrative reserve; and (v) Any return of reserves of the plan. (2) Contingency reserve minimum balance. The preferred minimum balance for the contingency reserve for community-rated plans is 1 month's subscription charges at the average recurring monthly rate paid from the Employees Health Benefits Fund for the plan during the most recent contract period. The preferred minimum balance for the contingency reserve for experience-rated plans is 1 (3) OPM/carrier reserve transfers. The target level for total reserves of an experience-rated plan is 3 (i) When, as of the end of a contract period, the total of all the reserves for an experience-rated plan is less than the target level described in the first four sentences of paragraph (c)(3) of this section, the carrier is entitled to payment from the contingency reserve. Such contingency reserve payment shall equal the lesser of: An amount equal to the difference between the target level for the plan's reserves and the total of the reserves for the plan, or an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the contingency reserve over the preferred minimum balance. OMP must authorize this payment promptly after accepting the accounting statement for the contract period. The contingency reserve payment so authorized will be made available to the carrier's LOC account. (ii) When, as of the end of a contract period, the total of all reserves of an experience-rated plan amounts to more than the plan's target level, the excess over the plan's target level must be credited to the contingency reserve maintained by OPM for the plan. OPM will withdraw the excess amount from the plan's LOC account, based on reporting in the annual accounting statement for the year, no sooner than May 1, of the following year. If the accounting statement is not filed by the time limit specified in the plan's contract with OPM, OPM will estimate the amount of the excess reserves and may withdraw that amount from the plan's LOC account, or begin the process of offsetting that amount from subscription payments, no sooner than May 1. The amount withdrawn from the plan's LOC account, or offset from subscription payments, will be credited to that plan's contingency reserve. (4) OPM may, by agreement with the carrier, approve community rating for a comprehensive plan. If the contingency reserve of the carrier of a community-rated plan exceeds the preferred minimum balance, as described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the carrier may request OPM to pay to the plan a portion of the reserve not greater than the excess of the contingency reserve over the preferred minimum balance. The carrier shall state the reason for the request. OPM will decide whether to allow the request in whole or in part and will advise the plan of its decision. (5) Special contingency reserve transfers. In addition to those amounts, if any, paid under paragraphs (c)(2) through (c)(4) of this section, OPM may authorize such other payments from the contingency reserve as in the judgment of OPM may be in the best interest of employees and annuitants enrolled in the program. A carrier for a plan may apply to OPM at any time for a payment from the contingency reserve when the carrier has good cause, such as unexpected claims experience and variations from expected community rates. In the administration of this part, OPM will accord a high priority to deciding whether to allow requests under this paragraph in whole or in part and will promptly advise the carrier of its decision. Amounts paid from the contingency reserve under paragraphs (c)(2) through (5) of this section shall be reported as subscription income in the year in which paid. By agreement with the carrier and where good cause exists, OPM may accept payment from carrier reserves for credit to the contingency reserve in an amount and under conditions other than those specified in paragraph (c) of this section. For carriers funded by LOC, the returned amount will be withdrawn from the plan's LOC account. [33 FR 12510, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 37 FR 20668, Oct. 3, 1972; 43 FR 52460, Nov. 13, 1978; 51 FR 7430, Mar. 4, 1985; 52 FR 3212, Feb. 3, 1987; 54 FR 52339, Dec. 21, 1989; 55 FR 22891, June 5, 1990; 57 FR 14324, Apr. 20, 1992] Upon reorganization or merger of a plan, OPM must credit to the surviving plan the reserves of the reorganized or merged plan. If more than one plan survives, the reserves must be divided among the surviving plans in proportion to the number of enrollees continuing to subscribe to the surviving plans. [54 FR 52339, Dec. 21, 1989; 55 FR 22891, June 5, 1990] The procedures for payment of premiums, contingency reserve, and interest distribution to FEHB Program carriers shall be those contained in 48 CFR subpart 1632.170. [57 FR 14324, Apr. 20, 1992] An annuitant (a retired employee or survivor under part 891 of this chapter) who is enrolled, or is eligible to enroll, under the Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (part 891 of this chapter) is eligible to enroll under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program under this part. [39 FR 20055, June 6, 1974] An annuitant eligible to enroll under §890.601 may elect to enroll on and after August 8, 1978. [43 FR 35018, Aug. 8, 1978, as amended at 62 FR 38440, July 18, 1997] The effective date of an enrollment under §890.602 is the first day of the first pay period after the election is received by the retirement system, but not earlier than January 1, 1979. [43 FR 35018, Aug. 8, 1978; 43 FR 38569, Aug. 29, 1978] Benefits may not be limited for persons who, on the effective date of an enrollment under §890.602, are confined in a hospital or institution. [43 FR 35018, Aug. 8, 1978] For purposes of this subpart— Health benefits plan means the Government-wide Service Benefit Plan, the Government-wide Indemnity Benefit Plan, or an employee organization plan, as described under 5 U.S.C. 8903(1), (2), and (3), respectively. Medically underserved area includes any of the 50 States of the United States where the Office of Personnel Management determines that 25 percent or more of the residents are located in primary medical care manpower shortage areas designated pursuant to section 332 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e). OPM makes its annual determination by comparing the latest Department of Health and Human Services state-by-state population counts on primary medical care manpower shortage areas with U.S. Census figures on state resident population. The determination will be made prior to the annual FEHB open season and will be for the next calendar year. OPM will announce the results of this determination before each open season in a public notice in the [45 FR 48099, July 18, 1980, as amended at 45 FR 81728, Dec. 12, 1980; 47 FR 17465, Apr. 23, 1982; 48 FR 14563, Apr. 5, 1983; 51 FR 28800, Aug. 12, 1986; 52 FR 2666, Jan. 26, 1987; 53 FR 860, Jan. 14, 1988; 53 FR 28366, July 28, 1988; 53 FR 28997, Aug. 2, 1988; 59 FR 60297, Nov. 23, 1994] (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, if a contract between the Office of Personnel Management and a group health insurance carrier offering a health benefits plan subject to this subpart provides for payment or reimbursement of the cost of health services for the care and treatment of a particular health condition only if such service is rendered by a certain category of practitioner, the plan must also provide benefits, up to the limits of it contract, for the same service when rendered and billed for by any other individual who is licensed under applicable State law to provide such service, if the service is provided to an enrollee of the plan in a medically underserved area as defined by this subpart. (b) Paragraph (a) of this section applies only to health services provided under contracts which became effective after December 31, 1979. [45 FR 48099, July 18, 1980, as amended at 52 FR 2666, Jan. 26, 1987] Source: 51 FR 15748, Apr. 28, 1986, unless otherwise noted.
This subpart sets forth policies and procedures for obtaining health benefits coverage that are unique to former spouses of Federal employees and retirees. In this subpart, a Qualifying court order means a court order acceptable for processing as defined in §838.103 of this chapter or qualifying court order as defined in §838.1003 of this chapter. [57 FR 33599, July 29, 1992] (a) Except as specified in paragraph (b) of this section, a former spouse is eligible to enroll in a health benefits plan under this part provided that— (1) The former spouse whose marriage to an employee, employee annuitant, or a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or Foreign Service employee is dissolved has not remarried before age 55; and (2) The former spouse was enrolled in a health benefits plan under this part as a family member at any time during the 18 months preceding the date of the dissolution of marriage; and (3)(i) The former spouse currently receives, or has future title to receive (A) a portion of annuity payable to the employee upon retirement based on a qualifying court order for purposes of 5 U.S.C. 8345(j) or 5 U.S.C. 8467; (B) survivor annuity benefits based on a qualifying court order for purposes of 5 U.S.C. 8341(h) or 5 U.S.C. 8445; or (C) a survivor annuity elected by the employee under 5 U.S.C. 8339(j)(3) or 5 U.S.C. 8417(b), including a former spouse who is designated as an insurable interest pursuant to §§831.613(a) and (b) and 842.605(a) and (b) of this chapter (or benefits similar to those under this paragraph under another retirement system for Government employees); or (ii) The former spouse was married to an employee who retired before May 7, 1985, and (A) the employee annuitant elects to provide a survivor annuity to the former spouse under procedures prescribed in §831.682 of this title; or (B) the former spouse satisfies all of the conditions for a survivor annuity in §831.683 of this title; or (iii) The former spouse was married to an employee who died before May 7, 1985, and the employee was eligible for an immediate annuity on or before the date of death, and the former spouse satisfies all of the conditions for a survivor annuity in §831.683 of this title, or (iv) The former spouse was married to an employee or former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for at least 10 years during the employee's CIA service, at least 5 years of which both the employee and the former spouse spent outside the United States, and the marriage was dissolved before May 7, 1985; or, (v) The former spouse was married to an employee or former employee of the Foreign Service for at least 10 years during the employee's government service, and the marriage was dissolved before May 7, 1985. (b) Except as contained in paragraphs (a)(3) (iv) and (v) of this section, a former spouse of an employee who separates from Federal service before becoming eligible for immediate annuity is eligible to enroll only if the former spouse's marriage to the employee was dissolved before the employee left Federal service. (c) If a former spouse cannot apply for benefits on his or her own behalf because of a mental or physical disability, application may be filed by a court-appointed guardian. [51 FR 15748, Apr. 28, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 39497, Oct. 22, 1987, and 53 FR 32368, Aug. 25, 1988; 53 FR 45070, Nov. 8, 1988; 57 FR 21192, May 19, 1992; 58 FR 52882, Oct. 13, 1993; 62 FR 38440, July 18, 1997] (a) Type of enrollment. A former spouse who meets the requirements of §890.803 may elect coverage for self alone or for self and family. A family enrollment covers only the former spouse and any unmarried dependent natural or adopted child of both the former spouse and the employee, former employee or employee annuitant, provided such child is not otherwise covered by a health plan under this part. An unmarried dependent child must be under age 22 or incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability existing before age 22. No person may be covered by two enrollments. (b) Proof of dependency. (1) A child is considered to be dependent on the former spouse or the employee, former employee, or employee annuitant if he or she is— (i) A legitimate child; (ii) An adopted child; (iii) A recognized natural child who lives with the former spouse or the employee, former employee, or employee annuitant in a regular parent-child relationship. (iv) A recognized natural child for whom a judicial determination of support has been obtained; or (v) A recognized natural child to whose support the former spouse, or the employee, former employee, or employee annuitant makes regular and substantial contributions in accordance with §890.302(b)(2). (c) Exclusions from coverage. Coverage as a family member may be denied— (1) If evidence shows that the former spouse, employee, former employee, or annuitant did not recognize the child as his or her own, despite a willingness to support the child; or (2) If evidence calls the child's paternity or maternity into doubt, despite the former spouse's employee's, former employee's, or employee annuitant's recognition and support of the child. (d) Child incapable of self-support. When a former spouse enrolls for a family enrollment which includes a child who has become 22 years of age and is incapable of self-support, the employing office shall determine such child's eligibility in accordance with §890.302(d), (e), and (f). (e) Meaning of unmarried child. A child, under age 22 or incapable of self-support, who has never married or whose marriage has been annulled, or a child who is divorced or widowed is considered to be unmarried. (a) Except for former spouses meeting the requirements in §890.803(a)(3) (iv) and (v) of this part, former spouses must apply for health benefits coverage— (1) Within 60 days after dissolution of the marriage to the Federal employee; or (2) Within 60 days after the date of OPM's notice of eligibility to enroll based on entitlement to one of the following: (i) A former spouse annuity elected under 5 U.S.C. 8339(j)(3), 5 U.S.C. 8417(b), or 5 CFR 831.682; (ii) A former spouse annuity under §831.683; (iii) A former spouse insurable interest annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8339(k)(1) or 8420(a); (iv) A former spouse annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8341(h) or 8445(f); (v) An apportionment under 5 U.S.C. 8345(j) or 8467; or (3) Within 60 days after the date of the notice of eligibility to enroll based on entitlement to a former spouse annuity under another retirement system for Government employees. (b) Former spouses who meet the requirements in §890.803(a)(3)(iv) of this part must apply for health benefits coverage by April 1, 1987. Where circumstances warrant, the former spouse may request that the filing date be waived. The authority of the Director of Central Intelligence to direct OPM to waive the filing date has been delegated to CIA's Office of Personnel. Requests for waiver should be addressed to the Office of Personnel, Retirement Division, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC 20505. OPM will waive the April 1, 1987, filing date upon notification to do so from the Director of Central Intelligence. (c) Former spouses who meet the requirements in §890.803(a)(3)(v) of this part must apply for health benefits coverage by October 7, 1988. Where circumstances warrant, the former spouse may request the Secretary of State to waive the filing date. The authority of the Secretary of State to waive the filing date has been delegated to the Department of State's Retirement Division. Requests for waiver should be addressed to the Department of State, Retirement Division, Washington, DC 20520. OPM will accept the waiver upon notification to do so from the Department of State. [51 FR 15748, Apr. 28, 1986, as amended at 53 FR 45071, Nov. 8, 1988; 57 FR 21192, May 19, 1992; 58 FR 52882, Oct. 13, 1993; 62 FR 38440, July 18, 1997] (a) Initial opportunity to enroll. A former spouse who has met the eligibility requirements of §890.803 and the application time limitation requirements of §890.805 may enroll at any time after the employing office establishes that these requirements have been met. (b) Effective date—generally. (1) Except as otherwise provided, an enrollment takes effect on the first day of the first pay period that begins after the date the employing office receives an appropriate request and satisfactory proof of eligibility as required by paragraph (a) of this section. If a former spouse requests immediate coverage, and the employing office receives an appropriate request and satisfactory proof of eligibility within 60 days after the date of divorce, the enrollment may be made effective on the same day that temporary continuation of coverage under subpart K of this part would otherwise take effect. (2) A change of enrollment takes effect on the first day of the first pay period that begins after the date the employing office receives the appropriate request. (c) Belated enrollment. When an employing office determines that a former spouse was unable, for cause beyond his or her control, to enroll or change the enrollment within the time limits prescribed by this section, the former spouse may do so within 60 days after the employing office advises the former spouse of its determination. (d) Enrollment by proxy. Subject to the discretion of the employing office, a former spouse's representative, having written authorization to do so, may enroll or change the enrollment for the former spouse. (e) Change to self only. (1) A former spouse may change the enrollment from self and family to self only at any time. (2) A change of enrollment to self only takes effect on the first day of the first pay period that begins after the date the employing office receives an appropriate request to change the enrollment, except that at the request of the former spouse and upon a showing satisfactory to the employing office that there was no family member eligible for coverage under the family enrollment, the employing office may make the change take effect on the first day of the pay period following the one in which there was no family member. (f) Open season. (1) During an open season as provided by §890.301(f)— (i) An enrolled former spouse may change the enrollment from self only to self and family provided the family member(s) is eligible for coverage under §890.804, from one plan or option to another, or make any combination of these changes. (ii) A former spouse who suspended the enrollment under this part for the purpose of enrolling in a Medicare sponsored plan under sections 1833, 1876, or 1851 of the Social Security Act, or to enroll in the Medicaid program or a similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance for the needy, or to use Peace Corps or CHAMPVA or TRICARE (including the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan) or TRICARE-for-Life coverage instead of FEHB coverage, may reenroll. (2) An open season reenrollment or change of enrollment takes effect on the first day of the first pay period that begins in January of the next following year. (3) When a belated open season reenrollment or change of enrollment is accepted by the employing office under paragraph (c) of this section, it takes effect as required by paragraph (f)(2) of this section. (g) Change in family status. (1) An enrolled former spouse may change the enrollment from self only to self and family, from one plan or option to another, or make any combination of these changes within the period beginning 31 days before and ending 60 days after the birth or acquisition of a child who meets the eligibility requirements of §890.804. (2) A change in enrollment under paragraph (g)(1) of this section takes effect on the first day of the pay period in which the child is born or becomes an eligible family member. (h) Reenrollment of former spouses who suspended enrollment to enroll in a Medicare sponsored plan, or the Medicaid or similar State-sponsored program, or to use Peace Corps or CHAMPVA or TRICARE (including the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan) or TRICARE-for-Life coverage instead of FEHB coverage. (1) A former spouse who had been enrolled for coverage under this part and suspended enrollment for the purpose of enrolling in a Medicare sponsored plan under sections 1833, 1876, or 1851 of the Social Security Act, or to enroll in Medicaid or similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance for the needy, or to use Peace Corps or CHAMPVA or TRICARE (including the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan) or TRICARE-for-Life coverage instead of FEHB (as provided in §890.807(e)), or who meets the eligibility requirements of §890.803 and the application time limitation requirements of §890.805, but postponed enrollment in the FEHB Program for the purpose of enrolling in one of these non-FEHB programs, and who subsequently involuntarily loses coverage under one of these programs, may immediately reenroll in any available FEHB plan under this part at any time beginning 31 days before and ending 60 days after the loss of coverage. A reenrollment under this paragraph (h) of this section takes effect on the date following the effective date of the loss of coverage as shown on the documentation from the non-FEHB coverage. If the request to reenroll is not received by the employing office or retirement system within the time period specified, the former spouse must wait until the next available Open Season to reenroll. (2) A former spouse who suspended enrollment in the FEHB Program to enroll in a Medicare sponsored plan, or the Medicaid program or a similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance for the needy, or to use Peace Corps or CHAMPVA or TRICARE (including the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan) or the TRICARE-for-Life program, but now wants to reenroll in the FEHB Program for any reason other than an involuntary loss of coverage, may do so during the next available Open Season (as provided by paragraph (f) of this section). (i) [Reserved] (j) Loss of coverage under this part or under another group insurance plan. An enrolled former spouse may change the enrollment from self only to self and family, from one plan or option to another or make any combination of these changes when the former spouse or a child who meets the eligibility requirements under §890.804 loses coverage under another enrollment under this part or under another group health benefits plan. Except as otherwise provided, the former spouse must change the enrollment within the period beginning 31 days before the date of loss of coverage and ending 60 days after the date of loss of coverage, provided he or she continues to meet the eligibility requirements under §890.803. Losses of coverage include but are not limited to— (1) Loss of coverage under another FEHB enrollment due to the termination, cancellation, or a change to self only, of the covering enrollment; (2) Loss of coverage under another federally-sponsored health benefits program; (3) Loss of coverage due to the termination of membership in an employee organization sponsoring or underwriting an FEHB plan; (4) Loss of coverage due to the discontinuance of an FEHB plan in whole or in part. For a former spouse who loses coverage under this paragraph (j)(4)— (i) If the discontinuance is at the end of a contract year, the former spouse must change the enrollment during the open season, unless OPM establishes a different time. If the discontinuance is at a time other than the end of the contract year, OPM must establish a time and effective date for the former spouse to change the enrollment; (ii) If the whole plan is discontinued, a former spouse who does not change the enrollment within the time set is considered to have cancelled the plan in which enrolled. (iii) If one option of a plan that has two options is discontinued, a former spouse who does not change the enrollment is considered to be enrolled in the remaining option of the plan. (5) Loss of coverage under the Medicaid program or similar State-sponsored program of Medical assistance for the needy. (6) Loss of coverage under a non-Federal health plan. (k) Move from comprehensive medical plan's area. A former spouse in a comprehensive medical plan who moves or becomes employed outside the geographic area from which the plan accepts enrollments, or, if already outside this area, moves or becomes employed further from this area, may change the enrollment upon notifying the employing office of the move or change of place of employment. Similarly, a former spouse whose covered family member moves outside the geographic area from which the plan accepts enrollments, or if already outside this area, moves further from this area, may change the enrollment upon notifying the employing office of the family member's move. The change of enrollment takes effect on the first day of the pay period that begins after the employing office receives an appropriate request. (l) On becoming eligible for Medicare. A former spouse may change the enrollment from one plan or option to another at any time beginning on the 30th day before becoming eligible for coverage under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare). A change of enrollment based on becoming eligible for Medicare may be made only once. (m) Annuity insufficient to pay withholdings. (1) If the annuity of a former spouse is insufficient to pay the full subscription charge for the plan in which he or she is enrolled, the retirement system must provide the former spouse with information regarding the available plans and written notification of the opportunity to either— (i) Pay the premium directly to the retirement system in accordance with §890.808(d); or (ii) Enroll in any plan with a full premium that is less than the amount of annuity. If the former spouse elects to change to a lower cost enrollment, the change takes effect immediately upon loss of coverage under the prior enrollment. (2) If the former spouse is enrolled in the high option of a plan that has two options, and does not elect a plan with a full premium that is less than the annuity or does not elect to pay premiums directly, he or she is deemed to have enrolled in the standard option of the same plan unless the annuity is insufficient to pay the full subscription charge for the standard option. (3) A former spouse who is enrolled in a plan with only one option, who fails to make the election required by this paragraph (m)(3) will be subject to the provisions of §890.807(c). [62 FR 38440, July 18, 1997; 62 FR 49557, Sept. 22, 1997, as amended at 66 FR 49087, Sept. 26, 2001; 67 FR 41307, June 18, 2002; 70 FR 71749, Nov. 30, 2005] (a)(1) Except for former spouses meeting the requirements in §890.803(a)(3) (iv) and (v) of this part, a former spouse's enrollment terminates, subject to the temporary extension of coverage for conversion, at midnight of the last day of the pay period in which the earliest of the following events occurs: (i) Court order ceases to provide entitlement to survivor annuity or portion of retirement annuity under a retirement system for Government employees. (ii) Former spouse remarries before age 55. (iii) Former spouse dies. (iv) Employee or annuitant on whose service the benefits are based dies and no survivor annuity is payable. (v) Separated employee on whose service the benefits are based dies before the requirements for deferred annuity have been met. (vi) Employee on whose service benefits are based leaves Federal service before establishing title to an immediate annuity or a deferred annuity. (vii) Refund of retirement money is paid to the separated employee on whose service the health benefits are based. (2) OPM may authorize a longer time frame for the temporary extension of coverage for conversion than the 31 days provided in §890.401(a) if in OPM's judgment the former spouse could not have known that (1) the employee on whose service benefits are based left Federal service before establishing title to an immediate or deferred annuity; or (2) the separated employee on whose service the benefits are based died before the requirements for deferred annuity had been met. In such cases, the right of conversion may be exercised up to 31 days after the employing office's notice of termination. The former spouse must pay the full premium (employee's and Government's share) during the extended period, exclusive of the 31–day period following the notice. (3) Termination of enrollment for failure to pay premiums within the time frame established in accordance with §890.808(d)(1) is retroactive to the end of the last pay period for which payment has been timely received. (4) A former spouse whose enrollment is terminated under this paragraph may not reenroll. (b) The enrollment of a former spouse who meets the requirements in §890.803(a)(3) (iv) or (v) of this part terminates, subject to the temporary extension of coverage for conversion, at midnight of the last day of the pay period in which the earliest of the following events occurs: (1) Former spouse remarries before age 55. (2) Former spouse dies. (c) Failure to make an election under §890.806(m). (1) If the annuity is insufficient to pay the full subscription charge due for the plan in which the former spouse is enrolled, the former spouse may elect one of the two opportunities offered under §890.806(m) (electing a plan with a full subscription charge that is less than the annuity; or paying premiums directly to the retirement system in accordance with §890.808(d)). Except as provided in paragraph (c)(3) of this section the enrollment of a former spouse who fails to make an election within the specified time frame will be terminated. (2) If the individual was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from making an election within the time limit after receipt of the final notice, he or she may request reinstatement of coverage by writing to the retirement system. The retirement system will determine if the individual is eligible for reinstatement of coverage; and, when the determination is affirmative, the individual's coverage may be reinstated retroactively to the date of termination or prospectively. If the determination is negative, the individual may request reconsideration of the decision from OPM. (3) If the former spouse does not make an election under paragraph (c)(1) of this section and is enrolled in the high option of a plan that has two options, the former spouse is deemed to have elected enrollment in the standard option of the same plan unless the annuity is insufficient to pay the full withholdings for the standard option. (d) Coverage of members of the family. The coverage of a member of the family of a former spouse terminates, subject to the temporary extension of coverage for conversion, at midnight of the earlier of the following dates: (1) The day on which the individual ceases to be an eligible family member. (2) The day the former spouse ceases to be enrolled, unless the family member is entitled as a survivor annuitant to continued enrollment or is entitled to continued coverage under the enrollment of another. (e) Cancellation. (1) A former spouse may cancel his or her enrollment at any time by filing an appropriate request with the employing office. The cancellation takes effect on the last day of the pay period in which the appropriate request cancelling the enrollment is received by the employing office. (2) A former spouse may suspend enrollment in FEHB for the purpose of enrolling in a Medicare sponsored plan under sections 1833, 1876, or 1851 of the Social Security Act, or to enroll in the Medicaid program or a similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance for the needy, or to use Peace Corps or CHAMPVA or TRICARE (including the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan) or TRICARE-for-Life coverage instead of FEHB coverage. To suspend FEHB coverage, documentation of eligibility for coverage under the non-FEHB Program must be submitted to the employing office or retirement system. If the documentation is received within the period beginning 31 days before and ending 31 days after the effective date of the enrollment in the Medicare sponsored plan, or the Medicaid or similar program, or within 31 days before or after the day designated by the former spouse as the day he or she wants to suspend FEHB coverage to use Peace Corps or CHAMPVA or TRICARE (including the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan) or TRICARE-for-Life coverage instead of FEHB coverage, then the suspension will be effective at the end of the day before the effective date of the enrollment or the end of the day before the day designated. Otherwise, the suspension is effective the first day of the first pay period that begins after the date the employing office or retirement system receives the documentation. (3) The former spouse and family members, if any, are not entitled to the temporary extension of coverage for conversion or to convert to an individual contract for health benefits. (4) A former spouse who cancels his or her enrollment for any reason may not later reenroll in the FEHB Program. [51 FR 15748, Apr. 28, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 39497, Oct. 22, 1987, and 53 FR 32368, Aug. 25, 1988; 53 FR 45071, Nov. 8, 1988; 56 FR 25997, June 6, 1991; 57 FR 48162, Oct. 22, 1992; 62 FR 38441, July 18, 1997; 62 FR 53223, Oct. 14, 1997; 66 FR 49088, Sept. 26, 2001; 67 FR 41307, June 18, 2002; 70 FR 71749, Nov. 30, 2005] (a) Application for benefits. The former spouse's application for health benefits may be in the form of a Standard Form 2809, letter, or written statement to the employing office. Former spouses applying for benefits under §890.803(a)(3)(iv) of this part must also include with their application a request for waiver of the application time limitation in accordance with §890.805(b) of this part. Former spouses applying for benefits under §890.803(a)(3)(v) of this part must also include with their application a request for waiver of the application time limitation in accordance with §890.805(c) of this part. (b) Administration of the enrollment process. (1) The employing office will set up a method for accepting applications for enrollment informing the former spouse what documents to submit and where to submit them for an eligibility determination, and collecting premium payments. The method will include procedures for verifying the eligibility requirements under §890.803(a) (1) and (2) of this part. The employing office must obtain OPM, Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System (FSRDS), or CIA Retirement and Disability System (CIARDS) documentation that the former spouse meets the additional requirement under §890.803(a)(3) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) of this part. A request for the retirement system's determination whether a court order is a qualifying court order for health benefits enrollment under this subpart must be accompanied by the documentation specified in §838.221, §838.721, or §838.1005 of this chapter. (2) The employing office will send the former spouse notice, in writing, of its decision. When an employing office informs a former spouse of his or her eligibility to enroll, it will identify the documents on which it based its decision and will include a premium payment schedule and statement of the requirements for continued enrollment under §890.803. If the former spouse does not qualify for health benefits coverage, the employing office must give the former spouse a reconsideration right under §890.104. Reconsideration requests from former spouses applying for benefits under §890.803(a)(3)(iv) of this part must be directed to the Office of Personnel, Retirement Division, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC 20505. Reconsideration requests from former spouses applying for benefits under §890.803(a)(3)(v) of this part must be directed to the Department of State, Retirement Division, Washington, DC 20520. (3) The agency employing office will maintain a health benefits file for the former spouse as a file separate from the personnel records of the employee or former employee. The retirement system acting as employing office for the former spouse may file the former spouse health benefits records in with the annuitant's retirement records. (4) The former spouse will be required to certify that he or she meets the requirements listed in §890.803 and that he or she will notify the employing office within 31 days of an event that results in failure to meet one or more of the requirements. (c) Qualifying court order. Subject to a 31-day extension period for conversion, the duration of health benefits coverage will coincide with any period specified in the qualifying court order providing for an annuity. A court order not meeting the requirements under part 838 of this chapter will not be used to establish or continue entitlement to a former spouse's health benefits coverage. (d) Premium payments. (1) The former spouse must remit to the employing office the full subscription charge for the enrollment for every pay period during which the enrollment continues, exclusive of the 31-day temporary extension of coverage for conversion provided in §§890.401 and 890.807(a)(2). Payment must be made after the pay period in which the former spouse is covered in accordance with a schedule established by the employing office (see definition of pay period under §890.101(a)). If the employing office does not receive payment by the due date the employing office must notify the former spouse in writing that continuation of coverage depends upon payment being made within 15 days (45 days for enrollees residing overseas) after receipt of the notice. If no subsequent payments are made, the employing office terminates the enrollment 60 days (90 days for enrollees residing overseas) after the date of the notice. Termination for nonpayment of premium is considered a voluntary cancellation under §890.807(d). A former spouse whose enrollment is terminated because of nonpayment of premium may not reenroll or reinstate coverage except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. (2) If the individual was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from making payment within 15 days after receipt of the notice, he or she may request reinstatement of coverage by writing to the employing office. Such a request must be filed within 30 calendar days from the date of termination and must be accompanied by verification that the individual was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from paying within the time limit. The employing office will determine if the individual is eligible for reinstatement of coverage; and, when the determination is affirmative, the individual's coverage may be reinstated retroactively to the date of termination. If the determination is negative, the individual may request a review of the decision from the employing agency as provided under §890.104. (3) The employing office will submit all premium payments collected from former spouses along with its regular health benefits payments to OPM in accordance with procedures established by that Office. (e) Withholding from annuity. The retirement system acting as employing office for a former spouse will establish a method for withholding the full subscription charge from the former spouse's annuity check. When the annuity is insufficient to cover the full subscription charge, the retirement system will follow the procedures specified in §890.806(l). [51 FR 15748, Apr. 28, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 2506, Jan. 23, 1987; 52 FR 39497, Oct. 22, 1987, and 53 FR 32368, Aug. 25, 1988; 53 FR 45071, Nov. 8, 1988; 56 FR 25997, June 6, 1991; 57 FR 21192, May 19, 1992; 57 FR 33598–33599, July 29, 1992; 59 FR 60297, Nov. 23, 1994; 59 FR 67607, Dec. 30, 1994; 61 FR 37810, July 22, 1996; 62 FR 38442, July 18, 1997] Source: 57 FR 10610, Mar. 27, 1992, unless otherwise noted.
This subpart identifies the individuals whose charges and FEHB benefit payments for inpatient hospital services and/or physician services may be limited and sets forth the circumstances of the limit. [60 FR 26668, May 18, 1995] For purposes of this subpart, Retired enrolled individual means an individual who: (a)(1) Is covered by a Federal Employees Health Benefits plan (including individuals covered under 5 U.S.C. 8905a) described by 5 U.S.C. 8903(1), (2) and (3), or 5 U.S.C. 8903a and is: (i) An annuitant as defined in 5 U.S.C. 8901(3); or (ii) A former spouse as defined in 5 U.S.C. 8901(10) or enrolled for continued coverage under 5 U.S.C. 8905a(f); or (2) Is a family member covered by the family enrollment of an annuitant or former spouse as defined in 5 U.S.C. 8901, or a former spouse enrolled for continued coverage under 5 U.S.C. 8905a(f); and (b) Is not employed in a position which confers FEHB coverage; and (c) Is age 65 or older or becomes age 65 while receiving inpatient hospital services or physician services; and (d) Is not covered by Medicare part A and/or part B. [57 FR 10610, Mar. 27, 1992, as amended at 60 FR 26668, May 18, 1995] (a) The limitation on the charges and FEHB benefit payments for inpatient hospital services apply to inpatient hospital services which are: (1) Covered under both Medicare part A and the retired enrolled individual's FEHB plan; and (2) Supplied to a retired enrolled individual who does not have Medicare part A; and (3) Provided by hospital providers who have in force participation agreements with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) consistent with sections 1814(a) and 1866 of the Social Security Act, and receive Medicare part A payments in accordance with the diagnosis related group (DRG) based prospective payment system (PPS). (b) The limitation on the charges and FEHB benefit payments for physician services apply to physician services, (as defined in section 1848(j) of the Social Security Act), which are: (1) Covered under both Medicare part B and the retired enrolled individual's FEHB plan; and (2) Supplied to a retired enrolled individual who does not have Medicare part B. [60 FR 26668, May 18, 1995] (a) The FEHB plan's benefit payment for inpatient hospital services under this subpart is the amount calculated by the FEHB plan, using information and instructions provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and guidelines specified by OPM, as equivalent to the Medicare Part A payment under the DRG-based PPS (this is, the amount payable before the Medicare deductible, coinsurance and lifetime limits are applied), reduced by any FEHB plan deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or preadmission certification penalty that is the responsibility of the retired enrolled individual. (b) The FEHB plan's benefit payment for physician services under this subpart is determined by taking the lower of the following amounts: (1) The amount determined by the FEHB plan, which is equivalent to the Medicare part B payment under the Medicare Participating Physician Fee Schedule for Medicare participating physicians and the Medicare Nonparticipating Physician Fee Schedule for Medicare nonparticipating physicians (the amount payable before the Medicare deductible and coinsurance are applied); or (2) The actual billed charges; and (3) Reducing the lower amount by any FEHB plan deductible, coinsurance, or copayment that is the responsibility of the retired enrolled individual. [58 FR 38663, July 20, 1993, as amended at 60 FR 26668, May 18, 1995] (a) Hospitals may not collect from FEHB plans and retired enrolled individuals for inpatient hospital services more than the amount determined to be equivalent to the Medicare part A payment under the DRG-based PPS. (b) Medicare participating providers may not collect from FEHB plans and retired enrolled individuals for physician services more than the amount determined to be equivalent to the Medicare part B payment under the Medicare Participating Physician Fee Schedule. (c) Medicare nonparticipating providers may not collect from FEHB plans and retired enrolled individuals for physician services more than the amount determined to be equivalent to the Medicare limiting charge amount. [60 FR 26668, May 18, 1995; 60 FR 28019, May 26, 1995] (a) A retired enrolled individual's coinsurance responsibility for inpatient hospital services is calculated in accordance with the plan's contractual benefit structure and is based on the amount determined to be equivalent to the Medicare part A payment under the DRG-based PPS. (b) A retired enrolled individual's coinsurance responsibility for physician services is calculated in accordance with the plan's contractual benefit structure and is based on the lower of the actual charges or the amount determined to be equivalent to the Medicare part B payment under the Medicare Participating Physician Fee Schedule for Medicare participating physicians and the Medicare Nonparticipating Physician Fee Schedule for Medicare nonparticipating physicians. [60 FR 26668, May 18, 1995] (a) The limitation specified in this subpart applies to inpatient hospital admissions commencing on or after January 1, 1992. (b) The limitation specified in this subpart applies to physician services supplied on or after January 1, 1995. [60 FR 26668, May 18, 1995] An FEHB plan, under the oversight of OPM, will notify the Secretary of HHS, or the Secretary's designee, if the plan finds that: (a) A hospital knowingly and willfully collects, on a repeated basis, more than the amount determined to be equivalent to the Medicare part A payment under the DRG-based PPS. (b) A Medicare participating physician or supplier knowingly and willfully collects, on a repeated basis, more than the amount determined to be equivalent to the Medicare part B payment under the Medicare Participating Physician Fee Schedule. (c) A Medicare nonparticipating physician or supplier knowingly and willfully charges, on a repeated basis, more than the amount determined to be equivalent to the Medicare limiting charge amount. [60 FR 26668, May 18, 1995] Neither OPM, nor the FEHB plans, will perform end-of-year settlements with, or make retroactive adjustments as a result of retroactive changes in the Medicare payment calculation information to, hospital providers who have received FEHB benefit payments under this subpart. [57 FR 10610, Mar. 27, 1992. Redesignated at 60 FR 26668, May 18, 1995] The hospital provider information used to calculate the amount equivalent to the Medicare part A payment will be updated on an annual basis. [57 FR 10610, Mar. 27, 1992. Redesignated at 60 FR 26668, May 18, 1995] Authority: 5 U.S.C. 8902a.
Source: 68 FR 5475, Feb. 3, 2003, unless otherwise noted.
(a) Scope. This subpart implements 5 U.S.C. 8902a, as amended by Public Law 105–266 (October 19, 1998). It establishes a system of administrative sanctions that OPM may, or in some cases, must apply to health care providers who have committed certain violations. The sanctions include debarment, suspension, civil monetary penalties, and financial assessments. (b) Purpose. OPM uses the authorities in this subpart to protect the health and safety of the persons who obtain their health insurance coverage through the FEHBP and to assure the financial and programmatic integrity of FEHBP transactions. Unless otherwise indicated, within this subpart the words “health care provider,” “provider,” and “he” mean a health care provider(s) of either gender or as a business entity, in either the singular or plural. The acronym “OPM” and the pronoun “it” connote the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. In this subpart: Carrier means an entity responsible for operating a health benefits plan described by 5 U.S.C. 8903 or 8903a. Community means a geographically-defined area in which a provider furnishes health care services or supplies and for which he may request a limited waiver of debarment in accordance with this subpart. Defined service area has the same meaning as community. Contest means a health care provider's request for the debarring or suspending official to reconsider a proposed sanction or the length or amount of a proposed sanction. Control interest means that a health care provider: (1) Has a direct and/or indirect ownership interest of 5 percent or more in an entity; (2) Owns a whole or part interest in a mortgage, deed of trust, note, or other obligation secured by the entity or the entity's property or assets, equating to a direct interest of 5 percent or more of the total property or assets of the entity; (3) Serves as an officer or director of the entity, if the entity is organized as a corporation; (4) Is a partner in the entity, if the entity is organized as a partnership; (5) Serves as a managing employee of the entity, including but not limited to employment as a general manager, business manager, administrator, or other position exercising, either directly or through other employees, operational or managerial control over the activities of the entity or any portion of the entity; (6) Exercises substantive control over an entity or a critical influence over the activities of the entity or some portion of thereof, whether or not employed by the entity; or (7) Acts as an agent of the entity. Conviction or convicted has the meaning set forth in 5 U.S.C. 8902a(a)(1)(C). Covered individual means an employee, annuitant, family member, or former spouse covered by a health benefits plan described by 5 U.S.C. 8903 or 8903a or an individual eligible to be covered by such a plan under 5 U.S.C. 8905(d). Days means calendar days, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Debarment means a decision by OPM's debarring official to prohibit payment of FEHBP funds to a health care provider, based on 5 U.S.C. 8902a (b), (c), or (d) and this subpart. Debarring official means an OPM employee authorized to issue debarments and financial sanctions under this subpart. FEHBP means the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Health care services or supplies means health care or services and supplies such as diagnosis and treatment; drugs and biologicals; supplies, appliances and equipment; and hospitals, clinics, or other institutional entities that furnish supplies and services. Incarceration means imprisonment, or any type of confinement with or without supervised release, including but not limited to home detention, community confinement, house arrest, or similar arrangements. Limited waiver means an approval by the debarring official of a health care provider's request to receive payments of FEHBP funds for items or services rendered in a defined geographical area, notwithstanding debarment, because the provider is the sole community provider or sole source of essential specialized services in a community. Mandatory debarment means a debarment based on 5 U.S.C. 8902a(b). Office or OPM means the United States Office of Personnel Management or the component thereof responsible for conducting the administrative sanctions program described by this subpart. Permissive debarment means a debarment based on 5 U.S.C. 8902a(c) or (d). Provider or provider of health care services or supplies means a physician, hospital, clinic, or other individual or entity that, directly or indirectly, furnishes health care services or supplies. Reinstatement means a decision by OPM to terminate a health care provider's debarment and to restore his eligibility to receive payment of FEHBP funds. Sanction or administrative sanction means any administrative action authorized by 5 U.S.C. 8902a or this subpart, including debarment, suspension, civil monetary penalties, and financial assessments. Should know or should have known has the meaning set forth in 5 U.S.C. 8902a(a)(1)(D). Sole community provider means a provider who is the only source of primary medical care within a defined service area. Sole source of essential specialized services in a community means a health care provider who is the only source of specialized health care items or services in a defined service area and that items or services furnished by a non-specialist cannot be substituted without jeopardizing the health or safety of covered individuals. Suspending official means an OPM employee authorized to issue suspensions under 5 U.S.C. 8902a and this subpart. (a) Debarment required. OPM shall debar a provider who is described by any category of offense set forth in 5 U.S.C. 8902a(b). (b) Direct involvement with an OPM program unnecessary. The conduct underlying the basis for a provider's mandatory debarment need not have involved an FEHBP covered individual or transaction, or any other OPM program. OPM shall send a provider a written notice of a proposed mandatory debarment within 6 years of the event that forms the basis for the debarment. If the basis for the proposed debarment is a conviction, the notice shall be sent within 6 years of the date of the conviction. If the basis is another agency's suspension, debarment, or exclusion, the OPM notice shall be sent within 6 years of the effective date of the other agency's action. (a) Written notice. OPM shall inform a provider of his proposed debarment by written notice sent not less than 30 days prior to the proposed effective date. (b) Contents of the notice. The notice shall contain information indicating the: (1) Effective date of the debarment; (2) Minimum length of the debarment; (3) Basis for the debarment; (4) Provisions of law and regulation authorizing the debarment; (5) Effect of the debarment; (6) Provider's right to contest the debarment to the debarring official; (7) Provider's right to request OPM to reduce the length of debarment, if it exceeds the minimum period required by law or this subpart; and (8) Procedures the provider shall be required to follow to apply for reinstatement at the end of his period of debarment, and to seek a waiver of the debarment on the basis that he is the sole health care provider or the sole source of essential specialized services in a community. (c) Methods of sending notice. OPM shall send the notice of proposed debarment and the final decision notice (if a contest is filed) to the provider's last known address by first class mail, or, at OPM's option, by express delivery service. (d) Delivery to attorney, agent, or representatives. (1) If OPM proposes to debar an individual health care provider, it may send the notice of proposed debarment directly to the provider or to any other person designated by the provider to act as a representative in debarment proceedings. (2) In the case of a health care provider that is an entity, OPM shall deem notice sent to any owner, partner, director, officer, registered agent for service of process, attorney, or managing employee as constituting notice to the entity. (e) Presumed timeframes for receipt of notice. OPM computes timeframes associated with the delivery notices described in paragraph (c) of this section so that: (1) When OPM sends notice by a method that provides a confirmation of receipt, OPM deems that the provider received the notice at the time indicated in the confirmation; and (2) When OPM sends notice by a method that does not provide a confirmation of receipt, OPM deems that the provider received the notice 5 business days after it was sent. (f) Procedures if notice cannot be delivered. (1) If OPM learns that a notice was undeliverable as addressed or routed, OPM shall make reasonable efforts to obtain a current and accurate address, and to resend the notice to that address, or it shall use alternative methods of sending the notice, in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section. (2) If a notice cannot be delivered after reasonable followup efforts as described in paragraph (f)(1) of this section, OPM shall presume that the provider received notice 5 days after the latest date on which a notice was sent. (g) Use of electronic means to transmit notice. [Reserved] (a) Debarment based on a conviction. The statutory minimum period of debarment for a mandatory debarment based on a conviction is 3 years. (b) Debarment based on another agency's action. A debarment based on another Federal agency's debarment, suspension, or exclusion remains in effect until the originating agency terminates its sanction. (a) Aggravating factors. OPM may debar a provider for longer than the 3-year minimum period for mandatory debarments if aggravating factors are associated with the basis for the debarment. The factors OPM considers to be aggravating are: (1) Whether the FEHBP incurred a financial loss as the result of the acts underlying the conviction, or similar acts that were not adjudicated, and the level of such loss. In determining the amount of financial loss, OPM shall not consider any amounts of restitution that a provider may have paid; (2) Whether the sentence imposed by the court included incarceration; (3) Whether the underlying offense(s), or similar acts not adjudicated, occurred repeatedly over a period of time, and whether there is evidence that the offense(s) was planned in advance; (4) Whether the provider has a prior record of criminal, civil, or administrative adjudication of related offenses or similar acts; or (5) Whether the actions underlying the conviction, or similar acts that were not adjudicated, adversely affected the physical, mental, or financial well-being of one or more covered individuals or other persons. (b) Mitigating factors. If the aggravating factors justify a debarment longer than the 3 year minimum period for mandatory debarments, OPM shall also consider whether mitigating factors may justify reducing the debarment period to not less than 3 years. The factors that OPM considers to be mitigating are: (1) Whether the conviction(s) on which the debarment is based consist entirely or primarily of misdemeanor offenses; (2) Whether court records, including associated sentencing reports, contain an official determination that the provider had a physical, mental, or emotional condition before or during the commission of the offenses underlying the conviction that reduced his level of culpability; or (3) Whether the provider's cooperation with Federal and/or State investigative officials resulted in criminal convictions, civil recoveries, or administrative actions against other individuals, or served as the basis for identifying program weaknesses. Restitution made by the provider for funds wrongfully, improperly, or illegally received from Federal or State programs may also be considered as a mitigating circumstance. (c) Maximum period of debarment. There is no limit on the maximum period of a mandatory debarment based on a conviction. (a) Contesting the debarment. Within 30 days after receiving OPM's notice of proposed mandatory debarment, a provider may submit information, documents, and written arguments in opposition to the proposed debarment. OPM's notice shall contain specific information about where and how to submit this material. If a timely contest is not filed, the proposed debarment shall become effective as stated in the notice, without further action by OPM. (b) Requesting a reduction of the debarment period. If OPM proposes a mandatory debarment for a period longer than the 3-year minimum required by 5 U.S.C. 8902a(g)(3), the provider may request a reduction of the debarment period to not less than 3 years, without contesting the debarment itself. (c) Personal appearance before the debarring official. In addition to providing written material, the provider may appear before the debarring official personally or through a representative to present oral arguments in support of his contest. OPM's notice shall contain specific information about arranging an in-person presentation. (a) Prior adjudication is dispositive. Evidence indicating that a provider was formally adjudicated for a violation of any type set forth in 5 U.S.C. 8902a(b) fully satisfies the standard of proof for a mandatory debarment. (b) Debarring official's decision. The debarring official shall issue a written decision, based on the entire administrative record, within 30 days after the record closes to receipt of information. The debarring official may extend this decision period for good cause. (c) No further administrative proceedings. The debarring official's decisions regarding mandatory debarment and the period of debarment are final and are not subject to further administrative review. (a) Licensure actions. OPM may debar a health care provider to whom the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8902a(c)(1) apply. OPM may take this action even if the provider retains current and valid professional licensure in another State(s). (b) Ownership or control interests. OPM may debar a health care provider based on ownership or control of or by a debarred provider, as set forth in 5 U.S.C. 8902a(c)(2) and (3). (c) False, deceptive, or wrongful claims practices. OPM may debar a provider who commits claims-related violations as set forth in 5 U.S.C. 8902a(c)(4) and (5) and 5 U.S.C. 8902a(d)(1) and (2). (d) Failure to furnish required information. OPM may debar a provider who knowingly fails to provide information requested by an FEHBP carrier or OPM, as set forth in 5 U.S.C. 8902a(d)(3). (a) Licensure cases. If the basis for the proposed debarment is a licensure action, OPM shall send the provider a notice of proposed debarment within 6 years of the effective date of the State licensing authority's revocation, suspension, restriction, or nonrenewal action, or the date on which the provider surrendered his license to the State authority. (b) Ownership or control. If the basis for the proposed debarment is ownership or control of an entity by a sanctioned person, or ownership or control of a sanctioned entity by a person who knew or should have known of the basis for the entity's sanction, OPM shall send a notice of proposed debarment within 6 years of the effective date of the sanction on which the proposed debarment is based. (c) False, deceptive, or wrongful claims practices. If the basis for the proposed debarment involves a claim filed with a FEHBP carrier, OPM shall send the provider a notice of proposed debarment within 6 years of the date he presented the claim for payment to the covered person's FEHBP carrier. (d) Failure to furnish requested information. If the basis for the proposed debarment involves a provider's failure to furnish information requested by OPM or an FEHBP carrier, OPM shall send the notice of proposed debarment within 6 years of the date on which the carrier or OPM requested the provider to furnish the information in question. (a) Review factors. The factors OPM shall consider in deciding whether to propose a provider's debarment under a permissive debarment authority are: (1) The nature of any claims involved in the basis for the proposed debarment and the circumstances under which they were presented to FEHBP carriers; (2) The improper conduct involved in the basis for the proposed debarment, and the provider's degree of culpability and history of prior offenses; (3) The extent to which the provider poses or may pose a risk to the health and safety of FEHBP-covered individuals or to the integrity of FEHBP transactions; and (4) Other factors specifically relevant to the provider's debarment that shall be considered in the interests of fairness. (b) Absence of a factor. The absence of a factor shall be considered neutral, and shall have no effect on OPM's decision. (c) Specialized review in certain cases. In determining whether to propose debarment under 5 U.S.C 8902a(c)(4) for providing items or services substantially in excess of the needs of a covered individual or for providing items or services that fail to meet professionally-recognized quality standards, OPM shall obtain the input of trained reviewers, based on written medical protocols developed by physicians. If OPM cannot reach a decision on this basis, it shall consult with a physician in an appropriate specialty area. Notice of a proposed permissive debarment shall contain the information set forth in §890.1006. (a) No mandatory minimum or upper limit on length of permissive debarment. There is neither a mandatory minimum debarment period nor a limitation on the maximum length of a debarment under any permissive debarment authority. (b) Debarring official's process in setting period of permissive debarment. The debarring official shall set the period of each debarment issued under a permissive debarment authority after considering the factors set forth in §890.1016 and the factors set forth in the applicable section from among §§890.1017 through 890.1021. (a) Aggravating factors. The presence of aggravating circumstances may support an OPM determination to increase the length of a debarment beyond the nominal periods set forth in §§890.1017 through 890.1021. The factors that OPM considers as aggravating are: (1) Whether the provider's actions underlying the basis for the debarment, or similar acts, had an adverse impact on the physical or mental health or well-being of one or more FEHBP-covered individuals or other persons. (2) Whether the provider has a documented history of prior criminal wrongdoing; civil violations related to health care items or services; improper conduct; or administrative violations addressed by a Federal or State agency. OPM may consider matters involving violence, patient abuse, drug abuse, or controlled substances convictions or violations to be particularly serious. (3) Whether the provider's actions underlying the basis for the debarment, or similar acts, resulted in financial loss to the FEHBP, FEHBP-covered individuals, or other persons. In determining whether, or to what extent, a financial loss occurred, OPM shall not consider any amounts of restitution that the provider may have paid. (4) Whether the provider's false, wrongful, or improper claims to FEHBP carriers were numerous, submitted over a prolonged period of time, or part of an on-going pattern of wrongful acts. (5) Whether the provider was specifically aware of or directly responsible for the acts constituting the basis for the debarment. (6) Whether the provider attempted to obstruct, hinder, or impede official inquiries into the wrongful conduct underlying the debarment. (b) Mitigating factors. The presence of mitigating circumstances may support an OPM determination to shorten the length of a debarment below the nominal periods set forth in §§890.1017 through 890.1021, respectively. The factors that OPM considers as mitigating are: (1) Whether the provider's cooperation with Federal, State, or local authorities resulted in criminal convictions, civil recoveries, or administrative actions against other violators, or served as the basis for official determinations of program weaknesses or vulnerabilities. Restitution that the provider made for funds wrongfully, improperly, or illegally received from Federal or State programs may also be considered as a mitigating factor. (2) Whether official records of judicial proceedings or the proceedings of State licensing authorities contain a formal determination that the provider had a physical, mental, or emotional condition that reduced his level of culpability before or during the period in which he committed the violations in question. (c) Absence of factors. The absence of aggravating or mitigating factors shall have no effect to either increase or lower the nominal period of debarment. (a) Indefinite term of debarment. Subject to the exceptions set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, debarment under 5 U.S.C. 8902a(c)(1) shall be for an indefinite period coinciding with the period during which the provider's license is revoked, suspended, restricted, surrendered, or otherwise not in effect in the State whose action formed the basis for OPM's debarment. (b) Aggravating circumstances. If any of the aggravating circumstances set forth in §890.1016 apply, OPM may debar the provider for an additional period beyond the duration of the licensure revocation or suspension. OPM shall determine the length of debarments of entities under 5 U.S.C. 8902a(c)(2) based on the type of violation committed by the person with an ownership or control interest. The types of violations actionable under this provision are: (a) Owner/controller's debarment. The debarment of an entity based on debarment of an individual with an ownership or control interest shall be for a period concurrent with the individual's debarment. If any aggravating or mitigating circumstances set forth in §890.1016 apply solely to the entity and were not considered in setting the period of the individual's debarment, OPM may debar the entity for a period longer or shorter than the individual's debarment. (b) Owner/controller's conviction. The debarment of an entity based on the criminal conviction of a person with an ownership or control interest for an offense listed in 5 U.S.C. 8902a(b)(1)–(4) shall be for a period of not less than 3 years, subject to adjustment for any aggravating or mitigating circumstances set forth in §890.1016 applying solely to the entity. (c) Owner/controller's civil monetary penalty. The debarment of an entity based on a civil monetary penalty imposed on a person with an ownership or control interest, shall be for a period of not less than 3 years, subject to adjustment for any aggravating or mitigating circumstances set forth in §890.1016 applying solely to the entity. OPM shall determine the length of debarments of individual providers under 5 U.S.C. 8902a(c)(3) based on the type of violation committed by the sanctioned entity owned or controlled by the person with an ownership or control interest. The types of violations actionable under this provision are: (a) Entity's debarment. If a provider's debarment is based on his ownership or control of a debarred entity, the debarment shall be concurrent with the entity's debarment. If any of the aggravating or mitigating circumstances identified in §890.1016 applies directly to the provider that owns or controls the debarred entity and was not considered in setting the period of the entity's debarment, OPM may debar the provider for a period longer or shorter, respectively, than the entity's debarment. (b) Entity's conviction. If a provider's debarment is based on the criminal conviction of an entity he owns or controls for an offense listed in 5 U.S.C. 8902a(b)(1)–(4), OPM shall debar the provider for a period of no less than 3 years, subject to adjustment for any aggravating or mitigating circumstances identified in §890.1016 that apply to the provider as an individual. (c) Entity's civil monetary penalty. If a provider's debarment is based on a civil monetary penalty imposed on an entity he owns or controls, OPM shall debar him for 3 years, subject to adjustment on the basis of the aggravating and mitigating circumstances listed in §890.1016 that apply to the provider as an individual. Debarments under 5 U.S.C. 8902a(c)(4) and (5) and 5 U.S.C. 8902a(d)(1) and (2) shall be for a period of 3 years, subject to adjustment based on the aggravating and mitigating factors listed in §890.1016. Debarments under 5 U.S.C. 8902a(d)(3) shall be for a period of 3 years, subject to adjustment based on the aggravating and mitigating factors listed in §890.1016. (a) Right to contest a proposed debarment. A provider proposed for debarment under a permissive debarment authority may challenge the debarment by filing a written contest with the debarring official during the 30-day notice period indicated in the notice of proposed debarment. In the absence of a timely contest, the debarment shall become effective as stated in the notice, without further action by OPM. (b) Challenging the length of a proposed debarment. A provider may contest the length of the proposed debarment, while not challenging the debarment itself, or may contest both the length of a debarment and the debarment itself in the same contest. (a) Documents and oral and written arguments. A provider may submit documents and written arguments in opposition to the proposed debarment and/or the length of the proposed debarment, and may appear personally or through a representative before the debarring official to provide other relevant information. (b) Specific factual basis for contesting the proposed debarment. A provider's oral and written arguments shall identify the specific facts that contradict the basis for the proposed debarment as stated in the notice of proposed debarment. A general or unsupported denial of the basis for debarment does not raise a genuine dispute over facts material to the debarment, and the debarring official shall not give such a denial any probative weight. (c) Mandatory disclosures. Regardless of the basis for the contest, providers are required to disclose certain types of background information, in addition to any other information submitted during the contest. Failure to provide such information completely and accurately may be a basis for OPM to initiate further legal or administrative action against the provider. The specific items of information that shall be furnished to OPM are: (1) Any existing, proposed, or prior exclusion, debarment, penalty, or other sanction imposed on the provider by a Federal, State, or local government agency, including any administrative agreement that purports to affect only a single agency; (2) Any criminal or civil legal proceeding not referenced in the notice of proposed debarment that arose from facts relevant to the basis for debarment stated in the notice; and (3) Any entity in which the provider has a control interest, as that term is defined in §890.1003. OPM shall demonstrate, by a preponderance of the evidence in the administrative record as a whole, that a provider has committed a sanctionable violation. In each contest, the debarring official shall determine whether a further fact-finding proceeding is required in addition to presentation of arguments, documents, and information. An additional fact-finding proceeding is not required when: (a) Prior adjudication. The proposed debarment is based on facts determined in a prior due process adjudication. Examples of prior due process proceedings include, but are not limited to, the adjudication procedures associated with: (1) Licensure revocation, suspension, restriction, or nonrenewal by a State licensing authority; (2) Debarment, exclusion, suspension, civil monetary penalties, or similar legal or administrative adjudications by Federal, State, or local agencies; (3) A criminal conviction or civil judgment; or (4) An action by a provider that constitutes a waiver of his right to a due process adjudication, such as surrender of professional license during the pendency of a disciplinary hearing, entering a guilty plea or confession of judgment in a judicial proceeding, or signing a settlement agreement stipulating facts that constitute a sanctionable violation. (b) Material facts not in dispute. The provider's contest does not identify a bona fide dispute concerning facts material to the basis for the proposed debarment. (a) Debarring official's procedures. If a fact-finding proceeding is not required, the debarring official shall issue a final decision of a provider's contest within 30 days after the record closes for submitting evidence, arguments, and information as part of the contest. The debarring official may extend this timeframe for good cause. (b) No further administrative review available. There are no further OPM administrative proceedings after the presiding official's final decision. A provider adversely affected by the decision may appeal under 5 U.S.C. 8902a(h)(2) to the appropriate U.S. district court. (a) Criteria for holding fact-finding proceeding. The debarring official shall request another OPM official (“presiding official”) to hold an additional fact-finding proceeding if: (1) Facts material to the proposed debarment have not been adjudicated in a prior due process proceeding; and (2) These facts are genuinely in dispute, based on the entire administrative record available to the debarring official. (b) Qualification to serve as presiding official. The presiding official is designated by the OPM Director or another OPM official authorized by the Director to make such designations. The presiding official shall be a senior official who is qualified to conduct informal adjudicative proceedings and who has had no previous contact with the proposed debarment or the contest. (c) Effect on contest. The debarring official shall defer a final decision on the contest pending the results of the fact-finding proceeding. (a) Informal proceeding. The presiding official may conduct the fact-finding proceedings as informally as practicable, consistent with principles of fundamental fairness. Formal rules of evidence or procedure do not apply to these proceedings. (b) Proceeding limited to disputed material facts. The presiding official shall consider only the genuinely disputed facts identified by the debarring official as material to the basis for the debarment. Matters that have been previously adjudicated or that are not in bona fide dispute within the administrative record shall not be considered by presiding official. (c) Provider's right to present information, evidence, and arguments. A provider may appear before the presiding official with counsel, submit oral and written arguments and documentary evidence, present witnesses on his own behalf, question any witnesses testifying in support of the debarment, and challenge the accuracy of any other evidence that the agency offers as a basis for the debarment. (d) Record of proceedings. The presiding official shall make an audio recording of the proceedings and shall provide a copy to the provider at no charge. If the provider wishes to have a transcribed record, OPM shall arrange for production of one which may be purchased at cost. (e) Presiding official's findings. The presiding official shall resolve all of the disputed facts identified by the debarring official, on the basis of a preponderance of the evidence contained within the entire administrative record. The presiding official shall issue a written report of all findings of fact to the debarring official within 30 days after the record of the fact-finding proceeding closes. (a) Findings shall be accepted. The debarring official shall accept the presiding official's findings of fact, unless they are arbitrary, capricious, or clearly erroneous. If the debarring official concludes that the factual findings are not acceptable, they may be remanded to the presiding official for additional proceedings in accordance with §890.1028. (b) Timeframe for final decision. The debarring official shall issue a final written decision on a contest within 30 days after receiving the presiding official's findings. The debarring official may extend this decision period for good cause. (c) Debarring official's final decision. (1) The debarring official shall observe the evidentiary standards and burdens of proof stated in §890.1024 in reaching a final decision. (2) In any case where a final decision is made to debar a provider, the debarring official has the discretion to set the period of debarment, subject to the factors identified in §§890.1016 through 1021. (3) The debarring official has the discretion to decide not to impose debarment in any case involving a permissive debarment authority. (d) No further administrative proceedings. No further administrative proceedings shall be conducted after the debarring official's final decision in a contest involving an additional fact-finding hearing. A provider adversely affected by the debarring official's final decision in a contested case may appeal under 5 U.S.C. 8902a(h)(2) to the appropriate U. S. district court. (a) Temporary action pending formal proceedings. Suspension is a temporary action pending completion of an investigation or ensuing criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings. (b) Immediate effect. Suspension is effective immediately upon the suspending official's decision, without prior notice to the provider. (c) Effect equivalent to debarment. The effect of a suspension is the same as the effect of a debarment. A suspended provider may not receive payment from FEHBP funds for items or services furnished to FEHBP-covered persons while suspended. (a) Basis for suspension. OPM may suspend a provider if: (1) OPM obtains reliable evidence indicating that one of the grounds for suspension listed in paragraph (b) of this section applies to the provider; and (2) The suspending official determines under paragraph (c) of this section that immediate action to suspend the provider is necessary to protect the health and safety of persons covered by FEHBP. (b) Grounds for suspension. Evidence constituting grounds for a suspension may include, but is not limited to: (1) Indictment or conviction of a provider for a criminal offense that is a basis for mandatory debarment under this subpart; (2) Indictment or conviction of a provider for a criminal offense that reflects a risk to the health, safety, or well-being of FEHBP-covered individuals; (3) Other credible evidence indicating, in the judgment of the suspending official, that a provider has committed a violation that would warrant debarment under this subpart. This may include, but is not limited to: (i) Civil judgments; (ii) Notice that a Federal, State, or local government agency has debarred, suspended, or excluded a provider from participating in a program or revoked or declined to renew a professional license; or (iii) Other official findings by Federal, State, or local bodies that determine factual or legal matters. (c) Determining need for immediate action. Suspension is intended to protect the public interest, including the health and safety of covered individuals or the integrity of FEHBP funds. The suspending official has wide discretion to decide whether to suspend a provider. A specific finding of immediacy or necessity is not required to issue a suspension. The suspending official may draw reasonable inferences from the nature of the alleged misconduct and from a provider's actual or potential transactions with the FEHBP. (a) Initial period. The initial term of all suspensions shall be an indefinite period not to exceed 12 months. (b) Formal legal proceedings not initiated. If formal legal or administrative proceedings have not begun against a provider within 12 months after the effective date of his suspension, the suspending official may: (1) Terminate the suspension; or (2) If requested by the Department of Justice, the cognizant United States Attorney's Office, or other responsible Federal, State, or local prosecuting official, extend the suspension for an additional period, not to exceed 6 months. (c) Formal proceedings initiated. If formal criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings are initiated against a suspended provider, the suspension may continue indefinitely, pending the outcome of those proceedings. (d) Terminating the suspension. The suspending official may terminate a suspension at any time, and shall terminate it after 18 months, unless formal proceedings have begun within that period. (a) Written notice. OPM shall send written notice of suspension according to the procedures and methods described in §890.1006(c)–(f). (b) Contents of notice. The suspension notice shall contain information indicating that: (1) The provider has been suspended, effective on the date of the notice; (2) The initial period of the suspension; (3) The basis for the suspension; (4) The provisions of law and regulation authorizing the suspension; (5) The effect of the suspension; and (6) The provider's rights to contest the suspension. The debarring official may consider the provider's contiguous period of suspension when determining the length of a debarment. (a) Filing a contest of the suspension. A provider may challenge a suspension by filing a contest, in writing, with the suspending official not later than 30 days after receiving notice of suspension. The suspension shall remain in effect during the contest, unless rescinded by the suspending official. (b) Informal proceeding. The suspending official shall use informal, flexible procedures to conduct the contest. Formal rules of evidence and procedure do not apply to this proceeding. (a) Presenting information and arguments to the suspending official. A provider may submit documents and written arguments in opposition to the suspension, and may appear personally, or through a representative, before the suspending official to provide any other relevant information. (b) Specific factual basis for contesting the suspension. The provider shall identify specific facts that contradict the basis for the suspension as stated in the suspension notice. A general denial of the basis for suspension does not raise a genuine dispute over facts material to the suspension, and the suspending official shall not give such a denial any probative weight. (c) Mandatory disclosures. Any provider contesting a suspension shall disclose the items of information set forth in §890.1023(c). Failure to provide such information completely and accurately may be a basis for OPM to initiate further legal or administrative action against the provider. The suspending official may decide a contest without an additional fact-finding process if: (a) Previously adjudicated facts. The suspension is based on an indictment or on facts determined by a prior adjudication in which the provider was afforded due process rights. Examples of due process proceedings include, but are not limited to, the adjudication procedures associated with licensure revocation, suspension, restriction, or nonrenewal by a State licensing authority; similar administrative adjudications by Federal, State, or local agencies; a criminal conviction or civil judgment; or an action by the provider that constitutes a waiver of his right to a due process adjudication, such as surrender of professional licensure during the pendency of a disciplinary hearing, entering a guilty plea or confession of judgment in a judicial proceeding, or signing a settlement agreement stipulating facts that constitute a sanctionable violation. Neither the existence of the prior adjudication nor any of the underlying circumstances are considered to be subject to genuine factual dispute as part of the suspension proceeding. (b) Advisory by law enforcement officials. OPM is advised by the Department of Justice, the appropriate U.S. Attorney's Office, a State attorney general's office, or a State or local prosecutor's office that proceedings before a presiding official would prejudice the substantial interests of the Government in pending or contemplated legal proceedings based on the same facts as the suspension. (c) No bona fide dispute of material facts. The information, arguments, and documents submitted to the suspending official do not establish that there is a bona fide factual dispute regarding facts material to the suspension. (a) Written decision. The suspending official shall issue a written decision on the contest within 30 days after the record closes for submitting evidence, arguments, and information. The suspending official may extend this timeframe for good cause. (b) No further administrative review available. The suspending official's decision is final and is not subject to further administrative review. (a) Criteria for holding fact-finding proceeding. The debarring official shall request another OPM official (“presiding official”) to hold an additional fact-finding proceeding if: (1) Facts material to the suspension have not been adjudicated in a prior due process proceeding; and (2) These facts are genuinely in dispute, based on the entire administrative record available to the debarring official. (b) Qualification to serve as presiding official. The presiding official is designated by the OPM Director or another OPM official authorized by the Director to make such designations. The presiding official shall be a senior official who is qualified to conduct informal adjudicative proceedings and who has had no previous contact with the suspension or the contest. (c) Effect on contest. The suspending official shall defer a final decision on the contest pending the results of the fact-finding proceeding. (a) Informal proceeding. The presiding official may conduct the fact-finding proceedings as informally as practicable, consistent with principles of fundamental fairness. Specific rules of evidence or procedure do not apply to these proceedings. (b) Proceeding limited to disputed material facts. The presiding official shall consider only the genuinely disputed facts identified by the suspending official as relevant to the basis for the suspension. Matters that have been previously adjudicated or which are not in bona fide dispute within the record shall not be considered by the presiding official. (c) Right to present information, evidence, and arguments. A provider may appear before the presiding official with counsel, submit oral and written arguments and documentary evidence, present witnesses, question any witnesses testifying in support of the suspension, and challenge the accuracy of any other evidence that the agency offers as a basis for the suspension. (d) Record of proceedings. The presiding official shall make an audio recording of the proceedings and shall provide a copy to the provider at no charge. If the provider wishes to have a transcribed record, OPM shall arrange for production of one which may be purchased at cost. (e) Presiding official's findings. The presiding official shall resolve all of the disputed facts identified by the suspending official, on the basis of a preponderance of the evidence in the entire administrative record. Within 30 days after the record of the proceeding closes, the presiding official shall issue a written report of all findings of fact to the suspending official. (a) Presiding official's findings shall be accepted. The suspending official shall accept the presiding official's findings, unless they are arbitrary, capricious, or clearly erroneous. (b) Suspending official's decision. Within 30 days after receiving the presiding official's report, the suspending official shall issue a final written decision that either sustains, modifies, or terminates the suspension. The suspending official may extend this period for good cause. (c) Effect on subsequent debarment or suspension proceedings. A decision by the suspending official to modify or terminate a suspension shall not prevent OPM from subsequently debarring the same provider, or any other Federal agency from either suspending or debarring the provider, based on the same facts. (a) Minimum notice period. A debarment shall take effect not sooner than 30 days after the date of OPM's notice of proposed debarment, unless the debarring official specifically determines that the health or safety of covered individuals or the integrity of the FEHBP warrants an earlier effective date. In such a situation, the notice shall specifically inform the provider that the debarring official decided to shorten or eliminate the 30-day notice period. (b) Uncontested debarments. If a provider does not file a contest within the 30-day notice period, the proposed debarment shall take effect on the date stated in the notice of proposed debarment, without further procedures, actions, or notice by OPM. (c) Contested debarments and requests for reducing the period of debarment. If a provider files a contest within the 30-day notice period, the proposed debarment shall not go into effect until the debarring official issues a final written decision, unless the health or safety of covered individuals or the integrity of the FEHBP requires the debarment to be effective while the contest is pending. (a) FEHBP payments prohibited. A debarred provider is not eligible to receive payment, directly or indirectly, from FEHBP funds for items or services furnished to a covered individual on or after the effective date of the debarment. Also, a provider shall not accept an assignment of a claim for items or services furnished to a covered individual during the period of debarment. These restrictions shall remain in effect until the provider is reinstated by OPM. (b) Governmentwide effect. Debarment precludes a provider from participating in all other Federal agencies' procurement and nonprocurement programs and activities, as required by section 2455 of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103–355). Other agencies may grant a waiver or exception under their own regulations, to permit a provider to participate in their programs, notwithstanding the OPM debarment. (c) Civil or criminal liability. A provider may be subject to civil monetary penalties under this subpart or criminal liability under other Federal statutes for knowingly filing claims, causing claims to be filed, or accepting payment from FEHBP carriers for items or services furnished to a covered individual during a period of debarment . When OPM debars or suspends a provider under this subpart, OPM shall notify: (a) All FEHBP carriers; (b) The General Services Administration, for publication in the comprehensive Governmentwide list of Federal agency exclusions; (c) Other Federal agencies that administer health care or health benefits programs; and (d) State and local agencies, authorities, boards, or other organizations with health care licensing or certification responsibilities. FEHBP carriers are required to notify covered individuals who have obtained items or services from a debarred or suspended provider within one year of the date of the debarment or suspension of: (a) The existence of the provider's debarment or suspension; (b) The minimum period remaining in the provider's period of debarment; and (c) The requirement that OPM terminate the debarment or suspension before FEHBP funds can be paid for items or services the provider furnishes to covered individuals. A debarred or suspended health care provider may receive FEHBP funds paid for items or services furnished on an emergency basis if the FEHBP carrier serving the covered individual determines that: (a) The provider's treatment was essential to the health and safety of the covered individual; and (b) No other source of equivalent treatment was reasonably available. [69 FR 9920, Mar. 3, 2004] (a) Covered individual admitted before debarment or suspension. If a covered person is admitted as an inpatient before the effective date of an institutional provider's debarment or suspension, that provider may continue to receive payment of FEHBP funds for inpatient institutional services until the covered person is released or transferred, unless the debarring or suspending official terminates payments under paragraph (b) of this section. (b) Health and safety of covered individuals. If the debarring or suspending official determines that the health and safety of covered persons would be at risk if they remain in a debarred or suspended institution, OPM may terminate FEHBP payments at any time. (c) Notice of payment limitations. If OPM limits any payment under paragraph (b) of this section, it must immediately send written notice of its action to the institutional provider. (d) Finality of debarring or suspending official's decision. The debarring or suspending official's decision to limit or deny payments under paragraph (b) of this section is not subject to administrative review or reconsideration. [69 FR 9920, Mar. 3, 2004] (a) Application required. A provider may apply for a limited waiver of debarment at any time after receiving OPM's notice of proposed debarment. Suspended providers are not eligible to request a waiver of suspension. (b) Criteria for granting waiver. To receive a waiver, a provider shall clearly demonstrate that: (1) The provider is the sole community provider or the sole source of essential specialized services in a community; (2) A limited waiver of debarment would be in the best interests of covered individuals in the defined service area; (3) There are reasonable assurances that the actions which formed the basis for the debarment shall not recur; and (4) There is no basis under this subpart for continuing the debarment. (c) Waiver applies only in the defined service area. A limited waiver applies only to items or services provided within the defined service area where a provider is the sole community provider or sole source of essential specialized services. (d) Governmentwide effect continues. A limited waiver applies only to a provider's FEHBP transactions. Even if OPM waives a debarment for FEHBP purposes, the governmentwide effect under section 2455 of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103–355) continues for all other Federal agencies' procurement and nonprocurement programs and activities. (e) Waiver rescinded if circumstances change. OPM shall rescind the limited waiver when any of its underlying bases no longer apply. If OPM rescinds the limited waiver, the provider's debarment shall resume full effect for all FEHBP transactions. Events warranting rescission include, but are not limited to: (1) The provider ceases to furnish items or services in the defined service area; (2) Another provider begins to furnish equivalent items or services in the defined service area, so that the provider who received a waiver is no longer the sole provider or sole source; or (3) The actions that formed the basis for the provider's debarment, or similar acts, recur. (f) Effect on period of debarment. The minimum period of debarment is established when the debarment is initially imposed. A subsequent decision to grant, deny, or rescind a limited waiver shall not change that period. (g) Application is necessary for reinstatement. A provider who has received a limited waiver shall apply for reinstatement at the end of the debarment period, even if a limited waiver is in effect when the debarment expires. (h) Finality of debarring official's decision. The debarring official's decision to grant or deny a limited waiver is final and not subject to further administrative review or reconsideration. (a) Covered individual unaware of debarment or suspension. FEHBP funds may be paid for items or services furnished by a debarred or suspended provider if, at the time the items or services were furnished, the covered individual did not know, and could not reasonably be expected to have known, that the provider was debarred or suspended. This provision is intended solely to protect the interests of FEHBP-covered persons who obtain services from a debarred or suspended provider in good faith and without knowledge that the provider has been sanctioned. It does not authorize debarred or suspended providers to submit claims for payment to FEHBP carriers. (b) Notice sent by carrier. When paying a claim under the authority of paragraph (a) of this section, an FEHBP carrier must send a written notice to the covered individual, stating: (1) That the provider is debarred or suspended and is prohibited from receiving payment of FEHBP funds for items or services furnished after the effective date of the debarment or suspension; (2) That claims may not be paid for items or services furnished by the debarred or suspended provider after the covered individual is informed of the debarment or suspension; (3) That the current claim is being paid as a legally-authorized exception to the effect of the debarment or suspension in order to protect covered individuals who obtain items or services without knowledge of their provider's debarment or suspension; (4) That FEHBP carriers are required to deny payment of any claim for items or services rendered by a debarred or suspended provider 15 days or longer after the date of the notice described in paragraph (b) of this section, unless the covered individual had no knowledge of the provider's debarment or suspension when the items or services were rendered; (5) The minimum period remaining in the provider's debarment or suspension; and (6) That FEHBP funds cannot otherwise be paid to the provider until OPM terminates the debarment or suspension. [69 FR 9920, Mar. 3, 2004] (a) Request by a covered individual. Any individual enrolled in FEHBP may submit a request through their FEHBP carrier for continued payment of items or services furnished by a debarred provider to any person covered under the enrollment. Requests shall not be accepted for continued payments to suspended providers. (b) OPM action on the request. OPM shall consider the recommendation of the FEHBP carrier before acting on the request. To be approved, the request shall demonstrate that: (1) Interrupting an existing, ongoing course of treatment by the provider would have a detrimental effect on the covered individual's health or safety; or (2) The covered individual does not have access to an alternative source of the same or equivalent health care items or services within a reasonably accessible service area. (c) Scope of the exception. An approved exception applies only to the covered individual(s) who requested it, or on whose behalf it was requested. The governmentwide effect of the provider's debarment under section 2455 of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (Pub. L. 103–355) is not altered by an exception. (d) Provider requests not allowed. OPM shall not consider an exception request submitted by a provider on behalf of a covered individual. (e) Debarring official's decision is final. The debarring official's decision on an exception request is not subject to further administrative review or reconsideration. (a) Application required. Reinstatement is not automatic when the minimum period of a provider's debarment expires. The provider shall apply in writing to OPM, supplying specific information about the reinstatement criteria outlined in paragraph (c) of this section. (b) Reinstatement date. A debarred provider may submit a reinstatement application not earlier than 60 days before the nominal expiration date of the debarment. However, in no case shall OPM reinstate a provider before the minimum period of debarment expires. (c) Reinstatement criteria. To be approved, the provider's reinstatement application shall clearly demonstrate that: (1) There are reasonable assurances that the actions resulting in the provider's debarment have not recurred and will not recur; (2) There is no basis under this subpart for continuing the provider's debarment; and (3) There is no pending criminal, civil, or administrative action that would subject the provider to debarment by OPM. (d) Written notice of OPM action. OPM shall inform the provider in writing of its decision regarding the reinstatement application. (e) Limitation on reapplication. If OPM denies a provider's reinstatement application, the provider is not eligible to reapply for 1 year after the date of the denial. OPM shall reinstate a provider without a reinstatement application if: (a) Conviction reversed. The conviction on which the provider's debarment was based is reversed or vacated by a final decision of the highest appeals court with jurisdiction over the case; and the prosecutorial authority with jurisdiction over the case has declined to retry it, or the deadline for retrial has expired without action by the prosecutor. (b) Sanction terminated. A sanction imposed by another Federal agency, on which the debarment was based, is terminated by that agency. (c) Court order. A Federal court orders OPM to stay, rescind, or terminate a provider's debarment. (d) Written notice. When reinstating a provider without an application, OPM shall send the provider written notice of the basis and effective date of his reinstatement. The procedures and effective dates for reinstatements under this subpart are: OPM shall inform the FEHBP carriers, Government agencies and other organizations that were originally notified of a provider's debarment when a provider is reinstated under §890.1051 or §890.1052. (a) Obtaining reconsideration of the initial decision. A provider may contest OPM's decision to deny a reinstatement application by submitting documents and written arguments to the debarring official within 30 days of receiving the notice described in §890.1051(d). In addition, the provider may request to appear in person to present oral arguments to the debarring official. The provider may be accompanied by counsel when making a personal appearance. (b) Debarring official's final decision on reinstatement. The debarring official shall issue a final written decision, based on the entire administrative record, within 30 days after the record closes to receipt of information. The debarring official may extend the decision period for good cause. (c) Finality of debarring official's decision. The debarring official's final decision regarding a provider's reinstatement is not subject to further administrative review or reconsideration. Source: 69 FR 9921, Mar. 3, 2004, unless otherwise noted.
(a) Civil monetary penalty. A civil monetary penalty is an amount that OPM may impose on a health care provider who commits one of the violations listed in §890.1061. Penalties are intended to protect the integrity of FEHBP by deterring repeat violations by the same provider and by reducing the likelihood of future violations by other providers. (b) Assessment. An assessment is an amount that OPM may impose on a provider, calculated by reference to the claims involved in the underlying violations. Assessments are intended to recognize monetary losses, costs, and damages sustained by OPM as the result of a provider's violations. (c) Definitions. In §§890.1060 through 890.1072: Penalty means civil monetary penalty; and Penalties and assessments may connote the singular or plural forms of either of those terms, and may represent either the conjunctive or disjunctive sense. (d) Relationship to debarment and suspension. In addition to imposing penalties and assessments, OPM may concurrently debar or suspend a provider from participating in the FEHBP on the basis of the same violations. (e) Relationship to other penalties provided by law. The penalties, assessments, debarment, and suspension imposed by OPM are in addition to any other penalties that may be prescribed by law or regulation administered by an agency of the Federal Government or any State. (a) Improper claims. OPM may impose penalties and assessments on a provider if a claim presented by that provider for payment from FEHBP funds meets the criteria set forth in 5 U.S.C. 8902a(d)(1). (b) False or misleading statements. OPM may impose penalties and assessments on a provider who makes a false statement or misrepresentation as set forth in 5 U.S.C. 8902a(d)(2). (c) Failing to provide claims-related information. OPM may impose penalties and assessments on a provider who knowingly fails to provide claims-related information as otherwise required by law. (a) Authority of debarring official. The debarring official has discretionary authority to impose penalties and assessments in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 8902a and this subpart. (b) Factors to be considered. In deciding whether to impose penalties and assessments against a provider that has committed one of the violations identified in §890.1061, OPM must consider: (1) The number and frequency of the provider's violations; (2) The period of time over which the violations were committed; (3) The provider's culpability for the specific conduct underlying the violations; (4) The nature of any claims involved in the violations and the circumstances under which the claims were presented to FEHBP carriers; (5) The provider's history of prior offenses or improper conduct, including any actions that could have constituted a basis for a suspension, debarment, penalty, or assessment by any Federal or State agency, whether or not any sanction was actually imposed; (6) The monetary amount of any damages, losses, and costs, as described in §890.1064(c), attributable to the provider's violations; and (7) Such other factors as justice may require. (c) Additional factors when penalty or assessment is based on provisions of §890.1061(b) or (c). In the case of violations involving false or misleading statements or the failure to provide claims-related information, OPM must also consider: (1) The nature and circumstances of the provider's failure to properly report information; and (2) The materiality and significance of the false statements or misrepresentations the provider made or caused to be made, or the information that the provider knowingly did not report. OPM may impose penalties and assessments in amounts not to exceed those set forth in U.S.C. 8902a(d). (a) Authority of debarring official. The debarring official has discretionary authority to set the amounts of penalties and assessments in accordance with law and this subpart. (b) Factors considered in determining amounts of penalties and assessments. In determining the amounts of penalties and assessments to impose on a provider, the debarring official must consider: (1) The Government's interests in being fully compensated for all damages, losses, and costs associated with the provider's violations, including: (i) Amounts wrongfully paid from FEHBP funds as the result of the provider's violations and interest on those amounts, at rates determined by the Department of the Treasury; (ii) All costs incurred by OPM in investigating a provider's sanctionable misconduct; and (iii) All costs incurred in OPM's administrative review of the case, including every phase of the administrative sanctions processes described by this subpart; (2) The Government's interests in deterring future misconduct by health care providers; (3) The provider's personal financial situation, or, in the case of an entity, the entity's financial situation; (4) All of the factors set forth in §890.1062(b) and (c); and (5) The presence of aggravating or less serious circumstances, as described in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(7) of this section. (c) Aggravated and less serious circumstances. The presence of aggravating circumstances may cause OPM to impose penalties and assessments at a higher level within the authorized range, while less serious violations may warrant sanctions of relatively lower amounts. Paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(7) of this section provide examples of aggravated and less serious violations. These examples are illustrative only, and are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all possible types of violations. (1) The existence of many separate violations, or of violations committed over an extended period of time, constitutes an aggravating circumstance. OPM may consider conduct involving a small number of violations, committed either infrequently or within a brief period of time, to be less serious. (2) Violations for which a provider had direct knowledge of the material facts (for example, submitting claims that the provider knew to contain false, inaccurate, or misleading information), or for which the provider did not cooperate with OPM's or an FEHBP carrier's investigations, constitute aggravating circumstances. OPM may consider violations where the provider did not have direct knowledge of the material facts, or in which the provider cooperated with post-violation investigative efforts, to be less serious. (3) Violations resulting in substantial damages, losses, and costs to OPM, the FEHBP, or FEHBP-covered persons constitute aggravating circumstances. Violations producing a small or negligible overall financial impact may be considered to be less serious. (4) A pattern of conduct reflecting numerous improper claims, high-dollar false claims, or improper claims involving several types of items or services constitutes aggravating circumstances. OPM may consider a small number of improper claims for relatively low dollar amounts to be less serious. (5) Every violation involving any harm, or the risk of harm, to the health and safety of an FEHBP enrollee, must be considered an aggravating circumstance. (6) Any prior violation described in §890.1062(b)(5) constitutes an aggravating circumstance. OPM may consider repeated or multiple prior violations to represent an especially serious form of aggravating circumstances. (7) OPM may consider other circumstances or actions to be aggravating or less serious within the context of an individual case, as the interests of justice require. In a case where both penalties and assessments and debarment are proposed concurrently, OPM must decide the proposed debarment under the same criteria and procedures as if it had been proposed separately from penalties and assessments. (a) Written notice. OPM must inform a provider of proposed penalties and assessments by written notice, sent via certified mail with return receipt requested, to the provider's last known street or post office address. OPM may, at its discretion, use an express service that furnishes a verification of delivery instead of postal mail. (b) Statutory limitations period. OPM must send the notice to the provider within 6 years of the date on which the claim underlying the proposed penalties and assessments was presented to an FEHBP carrier. If the proposed penalties and assessments do not involve a claim presented for payment, OPM must send the notice within 6 years of the date of the actions on which the proposed penalties and assessments are based. (c) Contents of the notice. OPM's notice must contain, at a minimum: (1) The statement that OPM proposes to impose penalties and/or assessments against the provider; (2) Identification of the actions, conduct, and claims that comprise the basis for the proposed penalties and assessments; (3) The amount of the proposed penalties and assessments, and an explanation of how OPM determined those amounts; (4) The statutory and regulatory bases for the proposed penalties and assessments; and (5) Instructions for responding to the notice, including specific explanations regarding: (i) The provider's right to contest the imposition and/or amounts of penalties and assessments before they are formally imposed; and (ii) OPM's right, if the provider does not contest the proposed penalties and assessments within 30 days of the date he receives the notice, to implement them immediately without further administrative appeal or recourse. (d) Proposing debarment in the same notice. OPM may propose a provider's debarment in the same notice that also proposes penalties and assessments. In this case, the notice must also provide the elements of information required to appear in a notice of proposed debarment under §890.1006(b). (e) Procedures if the notice cannot be delivered. OPM must apply the provisions of §890.1006(f) if the notice of proposed penalties and assessments cannot be delivered as originally addressed. (f) Sending notice by electronic means. [Reserved] (a) Contesting proposed sanctions. A provider may formally contest the proposed penalties and assessments by sending a written notice to the debarring official within 30 days after receiving the notice described in §890.1066. The debarring official must apply the administrative procedures set forth in §§890.1069 and 890.1070 to decide the contest. (b) Contesting debarments and financial sanctions concurrently. If OPM proposes debarment and penalties and assessments in the same notice, the provider may contest both the debarment and the financial sanctions in the same proceeding. If the provider pursues a combined contest, the requirements set forth in §§890.1022 through 890.1024, as well as this section, apply. (c) Settling or compromising proposed sanctions. The debarring official may settle or compromise proposed sanctions at any time before issuing a final decision under §890.1070. (a) Proposed sanctions may be implemented immediately. In the absence of a timely response by a provider as required in the notice described in §890.1066, the debarring official may issue a final decision implementing the proposed financial sanctions immediately, without further procedures. (b) Debarring official sends notice after implementing sanctions. Immediately upon issuing a final decision under paragraph (a), the debarring official must send the provider written notice, via certified return receipt mail or express delivery service, stating: (1) The amount of penalties and assessments imposed; (2) The date on which they were imposed; and (3) The means by which the provider may pay the penalties and assessments. (c) No appeal rights. A provider may not pursue a further administrative or judicial appeal of the debarring official's final decision implementing any sanctions if a timely contest was not filed in response to OPM's notice under §890.1066. (a) Documentary material and written arguments. As part of a provider's contest, the provider must furnish a written statement of reasons why the proposed penalties and assessments should not be imposed and/or why the amounts proposed are excessive. (b) Mandatory disclosures. In addition to any other information submitted during the contest, the provider must inform the debarring official in writing of: (1) Any existing, proposed, or prior exclusion, debarment, penalty, assessment, or other sanction that was imposed by a Federal, State, or local government agency, including any administrative agreement that purports to affect only a single agency; and (2) Any current or prior criminal or civil legal proceeding that was based on the same facts as the penalties and assessments proposed by OPM. (c) In-person appearance. A provider may request a personal appearance (in person, by telephone conference, or through a representative) to provide testimony and oral arguments to the debarring official. (a) Debarring official reviews entire administrative record. After the provider submits the information and evidence authorized or required by §890.1069, the debarring official shall review the entire official record to determine if the contest can be decided without additional administrative proceedings, or if an evidentiary hearing is required to resolve disputed material facts. (b) Previously determined facts. Any facts relating to the basis for the proposed penalties and assessments that were determined in prior due process proceedings are binding on the debarring official in deciding the contest. “Prior due process proceedings” are those set forth in §890.1025(a)(1) through (4). (c) Deciding the contest without further proceedings. To decide the contest without further administrative proceedings, the debarring official must determine that: (1) The preponderance of the evidence in the administrative record as a whole demonstrates that the provider committed a sanctionable violation described in §890.1061; and (2) The evidentiary record contains no bona fide dispute of any fact material to the proposed financial sanction. A “material fact” is a fact essential to determining whether a provider committed a sanctionable violation for which penalties and assessments may be imposed. (d) Final decision without further proceedings. If the debarring official determines that paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section both apply, a final decision may be issued, imposing financial sanctions in amounts not exceeding those proposed in the notice to the provider described in §890.1066. (e) Insufficient evidence. If the debarring official determines that a preponderance of the evidence does not demonstrate that the provider committed a sanctionable violation described in §890.1061, the notice of proposed sanctions described in §890.1066 must be withdrawn. (f) Disputed material facts. If the debarring official determines that the administrative record contains a bona fide dispute about any fact material to the proposed sanction, he must refer the case for a fact-finding hearing to resolve the disputed fact or facts. The provisions of §890.1027(b) and (c), 890.1028, and 890.1029(a) and (b) will govern such a hearing. (g) Final decision after fact-finding hearing. After receiving the report of the fact-finding hearing, the debarring official must apply the provisions of paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this section to reach a final decision on the provider's contest. If the debarring official's final decision imposes any penalties and assessments, the affected provider may appeal it to the appropriate United States district court under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8902a(h)(2). (a) Agreed-upon payment schedule. At the time OPM imposes penalties and assessments, or the amounts are settled or compromised, the provider must be afforded the opportunity to arrange an agreed-upon payment schedule. (b) No agreed-upon payment schedule. In the absence of an agreed-upon payment schedule, OPM must collect penalties and assessments under its regular procedures for resolving debts owed to the Employees Health Benefits Fund. (c) Offsets. As part of its debt collection efforts, OPM may request other Federal agencies to offset the penalties and assessments against amounts that the agencies may owe to the provider, including Federal income tax refunds. (d) Civil lawsuit. If necessary to obtain payment of penalties and assessments, the United States may file a civil lawsuit as set forth in 5 U.S.C. 8902(i). (e) Crediting payments. OPM must deposit payments of penalties and assessments into the Employees Health Benefits Fund. Source: 54 FR 52339, Dec. 21, 1989, unless otherwise noted.
This subpart identifies the individuals who may temporarily continue coverage after the coverage would otherwise terminate under this part and sets forth the circumstances of their enrollment. In this subpart— Gross misconduct means a flagrant and extreme transgression of law or established rule of action for which an employee is separated and concerning which a judicial or administrative finding of gross misconduct has been made. Qualifying event means any of the following events that qualify an individual for temporary continuation of coverage under subpart K of this part: (1) A separation from Government service. (2) A divorce or annulment. (3) A change in circumstances that causes an individual to become ineligible to be considered an unmarried dependent child under this part. (a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this section, individuals described by this section are eligible to elect temporary continuation of coverage under this subpart. Eligible individuals are as follows: (1) Former employees whose coverage ends because of a separation from Federal service under any circumstances except an involuntary separation for gross misconduct. (2) Individuals whose coverage as children under the family enrollment of an employee, former employee, or annuitant ends because they cease meeting the requirements for being considered unmarried dependent children. For the purpose of this section, children who are enrolled under this part as survivors of deceased employees or annuitants are considered to be children under a family enrollment of an employee or annuitant at the time of the qualifying event. (3) Former spouses of employees, of former employees having continued family coverage under this subpart, or of annuitants, if the former spouse would be eligible for continued coverage under subpart H of this part except for failure to meet the requirement of §890.803(a) (1) or (3) of this part or the documentation requirements of §890.806(a) of this part, including former spouses who lose eligibility under subpart H within 36 months after termination of the marriage because they ceased meeting the requirement of §890.803(a) (1) or (3) of this part. (b) An individual who is otherwise eligible for benefits under this part (excluding the temporary extension of coverage and conversion privilege set forth in subpart D of this part) is not entitled to continued coverage under this subpart. (a) In the case of a former employee who is eligible to elect temporary continuation of coverage under §890.1103(a)(1), the employing office must notify the former employee concerning his or her rights under this subpart no later than 30 days after the end of the temporary extension of coverage provided under §890.401. (b)(1) In the case of a child who is eligible to elect temporary continuation of coverage under §890.1103(a)(2), the enrollee may, within 60 days after the qualifying event, provide written notice to the employing office of the child's change in status and requesting information about temporary continuation of coverage. The written notice must include the child's name and address and the date of the terminating event. (2) If the notice described in paragraph (b)(1) is received by the employing office within 60 days after the date on which the child ceased meeting the requirements for being considered an unmarried dependent child, the employing office must notify the child of his or her rights under this subpart within 14 days after receiving the notice. (3) This paragraph does not preclude the employing office from notifying the child of his or her rights based on oral or written notification by the child, another family member, or any other source that the child no longer meets the requirements for being considered an unmarried dependent child. (c)(1) In the case of a former spouse who is eligible to elect temporary continuation of coverage under §890.1103(a)(3), the employee or the former spouse may, within 60 days after the termination of the marriage or the loss of coverage under subpart H of this part, notify the employing office of the terminating event and request information about temporary continuation of coverage. The notice must include the name and address of the former spouse and the date of the terminating event. (2) The employing office must notify the former spouse of his or her rights under this subpart within 14 days after receiving the notice described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. (d) If the employing office cannot give the notice required by this section to the employee, child, or former spouse directly, it must send the notice by first class mail. A notice that is mailed is deemed to be received 5 days after the date of the notice. [54 FR 52339, Dec. 21, 1989, as amended at 57 FR 21192, May 19, 1992] (a) The election of temporary continuation of coverage may be in the form of a Standard Form 2809, letter, or written statement to the employing office. (b) Former employees. A former employee's election under this subpart must be submitted to the employing office within 60 days after the later of— (1) The date of separation; or (2) The date the former employee received the notice from the employing office. (c) Children. A child's election under this subpart must be submitted to the employing office within 60 days after the later of— (1) The date of the qualifying event; or (2) If the employee notified the employing office within the 60-day time period specified under §890.1104(b)(1) of this part, the date the child received the notice from the employing office. If the employee did not notify the employing office within the specified time period, the child's opportunity to elect continued coverage ends 60 days after the qualifying event. (d) Former spouses. (1) A former spouse's election must be received by the employing office within 60 days after the later of— (i) The date of the qualifying event; or (ii) The date coverage under subpart H of this part was lost because of remarriage or loss of qualifying court order, if the loss of coverage under subpart H occurred before the expiration of the 36-month period specified in §890.1107(c); or (iii) If the employee, annuitant, or former spouse notified the employing office of the termination of the marriage within the time period specified in §890.1104(c)(1), the date the former spouse received the notice from the employing office described in §890.1104(c)(2). If the employee, annuitant, or former spouse did not notify the employing office within the specified time period, the former spouse's opportunity to elect continued coverage ends 60 days after the qualifying event. (2) The effective date of former spouse coverage is the later of— (i) The date determined under paragraph (g) of this section; or (ii) The date of the divorce or annulment. (e) If an individual who is eligible for temporary continuation of coverage under this section is unable to file an election on his or her own behalf because of a mental or physical disability, an election may be filed by a court-appointed guardian. (f) Belated elections. Except as provided in paragraphs (c)(2) and (d)(1)(iii) of this section, when an employing office determines that an eligible individual was unable, for cause beyond his or her control, to elect temporary continuation of coverage within the time limits prescribed by this section, that office must accept the election within 60 days after it advises the individual of that determination. (g) Effective date of coverage. Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section, the effective date of temporary continuation of coverage is the day after other coverage under this part expires, including the 31-day temporary extension of coverage under §890.401. If an individual elects temporary continuation of coverage after the 31-day temporary extension of coverage expires, but before the expiration of the applicable election period specified in this section, coverage is restored retroactively, with appropriate contributions and claims, to the same extent and effect as though no break in coverage occurred. [54 FR 52339, Dec. 21, 1989, as amended at 62 FR 38442, July 18, 1997] (a) Type of enrollment. An individual who enrolls under this subpart may elect coverage for self alone or self and family. (1) For an enrollee who is eligible for continued coverage under §890.1103(a) (1) or (2), a covered family member is an individual whose relationship to the enrollee meets the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 8901(5) and who meets any applicable requirements of 5 CFR 890.302 of this part. (2) For a former spouse who is eligible for continued coverage under §890.1103(3) of this part, a covered family member is an individual who meets the requirements of §890.804 of this part. (b) Plans and options. An individual who elects to continue coverage under this subpart may enroll in a plan or option different from the plan or option covering the individual at the time of the qualifying event. (a) In the case of a former employee who is eligible for continued coverage under §890.1103(a)(1), the temporary continuation of coverage ends on the date that is 18 months after the date of separation, unless it is terminated earlier under the provisions of §890.1110. (b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, in the case of individuals who are eligible for continued coverage under §890.1103(a)(2) of this part, the temporary continuation of coverage ends on the date that is 36 months after the date the individual first ceases to meet the requirements for being considered an unmarried dependent child, unless it is terminated earlier under the provisions of §890.1110. (2) The temporary continuation of coverage ends on the date that is 36 months after the date of the separation from service on which the former employee's continuation of coverage is based, unless it is terminated earlier under the provisions of §890.1110, in the case of individuals who— (i) Are eligible for continued coverage under §890.1103(a)(2); and (ii) As of the day before ceasing to meet the requirements for being considered unmarried dependent children, were covered family members of a former employee receiving continued coverage under this subpart; and (iii) Cease meeting the requirements for being considered unmarried dependent children before the end of the 18-month period specified in paragraph (a) of this section. (c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, in the case of former spouses who are eligible for continued coverage under §890.1103(a)(3), the temporary continuation of coverage ends on the date that is 36 months after the former spouse ceased meeting the requirements for coverage as a family member, unless it is terminated earlier under the provisions of §890.1110. (2) The temporary continuation of coverage ends on the date that is 36 months after the date of the separation from service on which the former employee's continuation of coverage is based, unless it is terminated earlier under the provisions of §890.1110, in the case of a former spouse— (i) Who is eligible for continued coverage under §890.1103(a)(3); and (ii) Whose marriage to the former employee terminates after the former employee's separation but before the expiration of the 18-month period specified in paragraph (a) of this section. (a) Effective date—generally. Except as otherwise provided, a change of enrollment takes effect on the first day of the first pay period that begins after the date the employing office receives an appropriate request to change the enrollment. (b) Belated change of enrollment. When an employing office determines that an enrollee was unable, for cause beyond his or her control, to change the enrollment within the time limits prescribed by this section, the enrollee may do so within 60 days after the employing office advises the enrollee of its determination. (c) Change of enrollment by proxy. Subject to the discretion of the employing office, an enrollee's representative, having written authorization to do so, may change the enrollment for the enrollee. (d) Change to self only. (1) An enrollee may change the enrollment from self and family to self only at any time. (2) A change of enrollment to self only takes effect on the first day of the first pay period that begins after the date the employing office receives an appropriate request to change the enrollment, except that at the request of the enrollee and upon a showing satisfactory to the employing office that there was no family member eligible for coverage under the family enrollment, the employing office may make the change effective on the first day of the pay period following the one in which there was no family member. (e) Open season. (1) During an open season as provided by §890.301(f), an enrollee (except for a former spouse who is eligible for continued coverage under §890.1103(a)(3)) may change the enrollment from self only to self and family, from one plan or option to another, or make any combination of these changes. A former spouse who is eligible for continued coverage under §890.1103(a)(3) may change from one plan or option to another, but may not change from self only to self and family unless the individual to be covered under the family enrollment qualifies as a family member under §890.1106(a)(2). (2) An open season change of enrollment takes effect on the first day of the first pay period that begins in January of the next following year. (3) When a belated open season change of enrollment is accepted by the employing office under paragraph (b) of this section, it takes effect as required by paragraph (e)(2) of this section. (f) Change in family status. (1) Except for a former spouse, an enrollee may change the enrollment from self only to self and family, from one plan or option to another, or make any combination of these changes when the enrollee's family status changes, including a change in marital status or any other change in family status. The enrollee must change the enrollment within the period beginning 31 days before the date of the change in family status, and ending 60 days after the date of the change in family status. (2) A former spouse who is covered under this section may change the enrollment from self only to self and family, from one plan or option to another, or make any combination of these changes within the period beginning 31 days before and ending 60 days after the birth or acquisition of a child who qualifies as a covered family member under §890.1106(a)(2). (3) A change of enrollment made in conjunction with the birth of a child, or the addition of a child as a new family member in some other manner, takes effect on the first day of the pay period in which the child is born or becomes an eligible family member. (g) Reenrollment of individuals who lose other coverage under this part. An individual whose continued coverage under this section terminates because of the provisions of §890.1110(a)(3) (termination due to other coverage under another provision of this part) may reenroll if the coverage that terminated the enrollment under this part ends, but not later than the expiration of the period described in §890.1107. Coverage does not extend beyond the expiration of the period described in §890.1107. The effective date of the reenrollment is the day following the termination of the coverage described in §890.1110(a)(3). (h) Loss of coverage under this part or under another group insurance plan. An enrollee may change the enrollment from self only to self and family, from one plan or option to another, or make any combination of these changes when the enrollee loses coverage under this part or a qualified family member of the enrollee loses coverage under this part or under another group health benefits plan. Except as otherwise provided, an enrollee must change the enrollment within the period beginning 31 days before the date of loss of coverage and ending 60 days after the date of loss of coverage. Losses of coverage include, but are not limited to— (1) Loss of coverage under another FEHB enrollment due to the termination, cancellation, or change to self only, of the covering enrollment. (2) Loss of coverage under another federally-sponsored health benefits program. (3) Loss of coverage due to the termination of membership in an employee organization sponsoring or underwriting an FEHB plan. (4) Loss of coverage due to the discontinuance of an FEHB plan, in whole or in part. For an enrollee who loses coverage under this paragraph (h)(4)— (i) If the discontinuance is at the end of a contract year, the enrollee must change the enrollment during the open season, unless OPM establishes a different time. If the discontinuance is at a time other than the end of the contract year, OPM must establish a time and effective date for the enrollee to change the enrollment. (ii) If the whole plan is discontinued, an enrollee who does not change the enrollment within the time set is considered to have cancelled the plan in which enrolled. (iii) If a plan has two options, and one option of the plan is discontinued, an enrollee who does not change the enrollment is considered to be enrolled in the remaining option of the plan. (5) Loss of coverage under the Medicaid program or similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance for the needy. (6) Loss of coverage under a non-Federal health plan. (i) Move from comprehensive medical plan's area. An enrollee in a comprehensive medical plan who moves or becomes employed outside the geographic area from which the plan accepts enrollments, or, if already outside this area, moves or becomes employed further from this area, may change the enrollment upon notifying the employing office of the move or change of place of employment. Similarly, an enrollee whose covered family member moves outside the geographic area from which the plan accepts enrollments, or if already outside this area, moves further from this area, may change the enrollment upon notifying the employing office of the family member's move. The change of enrollment takes effect on the first day of the pay period that begins after the employing office receives an appropriate request. (j) On becoming eligible for Medicare. An enrollee may change the enrollment from one plan or option to another at any time beginning on the 30th day before becoming eligible for coverage under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare). A change of enrollment based on becoming eligible for Medicare may be made only once. [62 FR 38442, July 18, 1997] (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the enrollee must pay the full enrollment charge as determined under §890.503(a), including both the Government contributions and employee withholdings, plus the administrative charge described under §890.1113, for every pay period during which the enrollment continues, exclusive of the 31-day temporary extension of coverage for conversion provided under §890.401 of this part. (b) If the enrollee is not covered under this subpart for the full pay period, he or she pays the premium charge for only the days actually covered. The daily premium rate is an amount equal to the monthly rate (including the administrative charge) multiplied by 12 and divided by 365. (c) The enrollee must make the payment after the pay period during which he or she is covered in accordance with a schedule established by the employing office. If the employing office does not receive the payment by the date due, the employing office must notify the enrollee in writing that continuation of coverage depends upon payment being made within 15 days (45 days for enrollees residing overseas) after receipt of the notice. If no subsequent payments are made, the employing office terminates the enrollment 60 days (90 days for enrollees residing overseas) after the date of the notice. An enrollee whose coverage terminates because of nonpayment may not reenroll or reinstate coverage except as provided under paragraph (d) of this section. (d)(1) If the enrollee was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from making payment within the timeframe specified in paragraph (c) of this section, he or she may request reinstatement of coverage by writing to the employing office. The request must be filed within 30 calendar days from the date of termination and must be accompanied by verification that the enrollee was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from paying within the time limit. (2) The employing office determines whether the individual is eligible for reinstatement of coverage. If the determination is affirmative, coverage is reinstated retroactively to the date of termination. If the determination is negative, the individual may request a review of the decision from the employing agency as provided under §890.104. [54 FR 52339, Dec. 21, 1989, as amended at 59 FR 67607, Dec. 30, 1994; 61 FR 37810, July 22, 1996] (a) General. An enrollment under this subpart terminates at midnight of the earlier of the following dates: (1) The date the temporary continuation of coverage expires as set forth in §890.1107, subject to the temporary extension of coverage for conversion. (2) The last day of the pay period in which the enrollee dies. (3) The day before the effective date of coverage under another provision of this part. (4) The date provided under paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section. (b) Failure to pay premiums. Termination of enrollment for failure to pay premiums within the timeframe established under §890.1109 of this part is retroactive to the end of the last pay period for which payment was timely received. The enrollee and covered family members, if any, are not entitled to the temporary extension of coverage for conversion or to convert to an individual contract for health benefits. (c) Cancellation. An enrollee may cancel his or her enrollment as provided under §890.304(d) of this part. (d) Family member coverage. The coverage of a family member terminates under the conditions set forth in §890.304(c). Covered family members of former employees and former spouses are entitled to temporary continuation of coverage only as set forth under §890.1103. (a) Providing information to employees. Employing offices are responsible for providing employees who are eligible to enroll under this part with literature developed by OPM that sets forth their rights under this subpart. This literature must be distributed to employees prior to each open season occurring under §890.301. (b) Administration of the enrollment process. The employing office must establish procedures for notifying the former employee, child, or former spouse about his or her eligibility to enroll, including what documents are needed to determine eligibility, and for accepting enrollment registrations. (c) Collecting premiums. (1) Collection of the contributions is the responsibility of the employing office of the employee or annuitant at the time of the qualifying event. (2) The employing office must submit all premium payments collected from enrollees along with its regular health benefits payments to OPM in accordance with procedures established by that Office. (d) Health benefits file. The employing office must maintain a health benefits file for the enrollee as a file separate from the personnel records of the employee or former employee. This file may be destroyed 2 years after the end of the calendar year during which the 18- or 36-month period described in §890.1107 (a) or (b)(1) expires. [54 FR 52339, Dec. 21, 1989, as amended at 55 FR 22891, June 5, 1990] (a) Notice of denial. (1) When an employing office determines that the offense for which an employee is being removed constitutes gross misconduct for the purpose of this subpart, the employing office must notify the employee in writing of its intention to deny temporary continuation of coverage. The notice must set forth the reason for the denial and give the employee a reasonable amount of time to respond. The notice must be made no later than the date of separation. (2) If the employee is being removed under the authority of part 752 of this chapter (or other law, Executive Order, or regulation that prescribes procedures for removing employees because of misconduct), the notification requirement of paragraph (a)(1) of this section may be combined with the notification requirement of such authority. (b) Employee's response. (1) The employee must be allowed a reasonable time for response, but not less than 7 days. The employee may respond orally or in writing and is entitled to be represented by an attorney or other representative. (2) The agency must designate an official to hear the employee's oral answer who has the authority either to make or recommend a final decision on the denial. The right to answer orally does not include the right to a formal hearing with examination of witnesses. (c) Final decision. If the employee responds to the notice of denial, the employing office must issue a final decision in writing that fully sets forth its findings and conclusions. The agency's decision is not subject to reconsideration by OPM. (d) Resignation in lieu of involuntary separation. If an employee resigns after receiving the employing office's notification of intent to separate the employee involuntarily but before the scheduled separation date, his or her separation is considered involuntary for the purpose of this subpart. (a) OPM has determined that the administrative charge as provided under 5 U.S.C. 8905a(d)(1)(A)(ii) is 2 percent of the enrollment charge described in §890.503(a). (b) It is OPM's responsibility to establish procedures for receiving the administrative payment into the Employees Health Benefits Fund and for making this amount available to the employing office. [54 FR 52339, Dec. 21, 1989, as amended at 55 FR 22891, June 5, 1990] Source: 55 FR 50537, Dec. 7, 1990, unless otherwise noted.
This subpart sets forth the circumstances under which individuals are covered under this part in accordance with the provisions of section 599C of Public Law 101–513. In this subpart— Covered family members as it applies to individuals covered under this subpart has the same meaning as set forth in §890.101(a). For eligible survivors of individuals enrolled under this subpart, a family enrollment covers only the survivor or former spouse and unmarried dependent natural or adopted child of both the survivor or former spouse and hostage. Hostage and hostage status have the meaning set forth in section 599C of Public Law 101–513. Pay period for individuals enrolled under this subpart means the pay period established by the U.S. Department of State for paying individuals covered under Public Law 101–513. Period of eligibility means the period beginning on the effective date set forth in §890.1204 of this subpart and ending 60 months after hostage status ended for hostages in Lebanon and 12 months after hostage status ended for hostages in Iraq and Kuwait. [55 FR 50537, Dec. 7, 1990, as amended at 57 FR 43132, Sept. 18, 1992] (a) An individual is covered under this subpart when the U.S. Department of State determines that the individual is eligible for coverage under section 599C of Public Law 101–513. (b) An individual who is covered under this subpart is covered under the Standard Option of the Service Benefit Plan. The individual has a self and family enrollment unless the U.S. Department of State determines that the individual is unmarried and has no dependent children. Unmarried individuals who have no eligible dependent children have a self only enrollment. (c) Individuals covered under this subpart are deemed ineligible for enrollment in any FEHB plan or option other than the Standard Option of the Service Benefit Plan. (d) Eligible surviving family members of an individual covered under this subpart whose hostage status ended because of death or who dies during the 60 months or 12 months following the end of hostage status are eligible to continue enrollment under this part. The enrollment terminates no later than 60 months or 12 months after hostage status ended. (e) An individual covered by this subpart is not considered an employee for the purpose of this part. (f) Eligibility for coverage under this subpart shall be subject to the availability of funds under section 599C(e) of Public Law 101–513. [55 FR 50537, Dec. 7, 1990, as amended at 57 FR 43132, Sept. 18, 1992] Unless the U.S. Department of State determines that a later date is appropriate, coverage under §890.1203(b) is effective on August 2, 1990, for hostages in Iraq and Kuwait and on the later of the date hostage status began or June 1, 1982, for hostages in Lebanon. [57 FR 43132, Sept. 18, 1992] (a) Individuals covered under this subpart or eligible survivors enrolled under this subpart may change from self only to self and family coverage if they acquire an eligible family member. The change may be made at the written request of the enrollee at any time after the family member is acquired. A change in enrollment under this paragraph becomes effective on the 1st day of the pay period after the pay period during which the request is received by the U.S. Department of State, except that a change based on the birth or addition of a child as a new family member is effective on the 1st day of the pay period during which the child is born or otherwise becomes a new family member. (b) Individuals covered under this subpart or eligible survivors enrolled under this subpart may change from a self and family enrollment to a self only when the last eligible family member (other than the enrollee) ceases to be a family member. The change may be made at the written request of the enrollee at any time after the last family member is lost and it becomes effective on the 1st day of the pay period after the pay period during which the request is received by the U.S. Department of State. (c) A family member may file a request to change the type of enrollment on behalf of a hostage during the period of hostage status or on behalf of an eligible former hostage who cannot file the election on his or her own behalf because of a mental or physical disability. (a) An individual who is covered under §890.1203(b) may cancel his or her enrollment at any time by written request. The cancellation is effective on the 1st day of the pay period after the pay period in which it is received by the U.S. Department of State. (b) An individual who cancels his or her coverage under this section cannot reacquire coverage unless the U.S. Department of State determines that it would be against equity and good conscience not to allow the individual to be enrolled. (c) A cancellation of coverage must be made by the enrolled individual and cannot be made by a representative acting on the individual's behalf. (a) Coverage of an individual under §890.1203(b) terminates 60 months or 12 months after hostage status ended unless the individual cancels the coverage earlier. (b) Enrollees and family members are eligible for temporary extension of coverage for conversion as set forth in subpart D of this part unless the covering enrollment is terminated by cancellation. [55 FR 50537, Dec. 7, 1990, as amended at 57 FR 43132, Sept. 18, 1992] (a) Government and employee contributions (premiums) required under §§890.501 and 890.502 of this part are paid from the appropriation provided under section 599C(e) of Public Law 101–513. (b) If the individual is not covered under this subpart for the full pay period, premiums are paid only for the days he or she is actually covered. The daily premium rate is an amount equal to the monthly premium rate multiplied by 12 and divided by 365. (c) The payments required by this section may be accepted by OPM from the State Department appropriation in advance if necessary to fund the 12-month period of coverage beginning on the earlier of: (1) The day after sanctions or hostilities end; or (2) The day after the individual's period of hostage status ends. (d) OPM will place any funds received under paragraph (c) of this section in an account established for this purpose. OPM will make the disbursements specified under 48 CFR subpart 1632.170 from this account when the appropriate pay period occurs. [55 FR 50537, Dec. 7, 1990, as amended at 57 FR 14325, Apr. 20, 1992] (a) The U.S. Department of State functions as the “employing office” for individuals covered under this subpart. (b) The U.S. Department of State must determine the eligibility of individuals who qualify under Public Law 101–513 for coverage under this part. This determination includes the determination as to whether the individual is barred from coverage under chapter 89 of title 5 U.S. Code by reason of other health insurance coverage as provided in section 599C of Public Law 101–513. (c) The U.S. Department of State must determine whether eligible individuals are married or single for the purpose of coverage under a self only or a self and family enrollment as set forth in §890.1203(b). If the marital status of the individual cannot be determined, the U.S. Department of State must enroll the individual for self and family coverage. (a) Under procedures set forth by the U.S. Department of State, an individual may request the U.S. Department of State to reconsider an initial decision it has made denying coverage or a change in the type of enrollment under this subpart. (b) Neither the initial decision nor the reconsideration decision of the U.S. Department of State is subject to reconsideration by OPM. Source: 65 FR 35260, June 2, 2000, unless otherwise noted.
The purpose of this subpart is to implement section 721 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 1999, Public Law 105–261. This section amended chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, and chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to establish a demonstration project under which certain Medicare and other eligible Department of Defense (DoD) beneficiaries can enroll in health benefit plans offered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program in certain geographic areas. The legislation was signed into law on October 17, 1998. The demonstration project will run for a period of three years. The legislation requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and DoD to jointly produce and submit two reports to Congress designed to assess the viability of expanding access to the FEHB Program to certain Medicare and other eligible DoD beneficiaries permanently. OPM is authorizing certain differences from regular FEHB Program practices in order to ensure the successful implementation of the demonstration project. This regulation authorizes those differences. The demonstration project will run from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2002. (a) To enroll in the demonstration project, an individual must live within one of the demonstration areas and meet the definition of an eligible beneficiary in 10 U.S.C. 1108(b). An eligible beneficiary under this subpart is— (1) A member or former member of the uniformed services described in section 1074(b) of title 10, United States Code, who is entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395c et seq.); (2) An individual who is an unremarried former spouse of a member or former member described in section 1072(2)(F) or section 1072(2)(G) of title 10, United States Code; (3) An individual who is— (i) A dependent of a deceased member or former member described in section 1076(b) or 1076(a)(2)(B) of title 10, United States Code, or of a member who died while on active duty for a period of more than 30 days; and (ii) A “member of family” as defined in section 8901(5) of title 5, United States Code; or (4) An individual who is— (i) A dependent of a living member or former member described in section 1076(b)(1) of title 10, United States Code, who is entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act, regardless of the member's or former member's eligibility for such hospital insurance benefits; and (ii) A “member of family” as defined in section 8901(5) of title 5, United States Code. (b) An eligible beneficiary may enroll in an FEHB plan under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, for self-only coverage or for self and family coverage. A self and family enrollment will include coverage of a dependent of the military member or former member who meets the definition of a “member of family” in section 8901(5) of title 5, United States Code. A self and family enrollment will not cover a person related to the eligible beneficiary that does not qualify as a “member of family” (as defined in section 8901(5) of title 5, United States Code) of the military member or former member. (c) A person eligible for coverage under this subpart shall not be required to satisfy any eligibility criteria specified in chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, or in other subparts of this part (except as provided in paragraphs (a)(3), (a)(4), and (b) of this section) as a condition for enrollment in health benefit plans offered through the FEHB Program under the demonstration project. (d) When determining whether an individual is a “member of family” under section 8901(5) of title 5, United States Code, for purposes of paragraph (a)(3) and (a)(4) of this section, a DoD member or former member described in section 1076(b) or 1076(a)(2)(B) of title 10, United States Code, shall be deemed to be an employee under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code. The sole purpose for deeming these members or former members of the uniformed services employees under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, is to determine which of their dependents can enroll as eligible beneficiaries in the demonstration project. (e) A person who is eligible to enroll in the FEHB Program as an employee as defined in section 8901(1) of title 5, United States Code, is not eligible to enroll in an FEHB plan under the demonstration project. (a) Open Season for eligible beneficiaries will be held concurrent with the Open Season for regular FEHB enrollees. Open Seasons will be held in the years 1999, 2000 and 2001. Eligible beneficiaries will be able to enroll for coverage, change enrollment tiers (e.g., self-only or self and family), or change health benefit plans or plan options during these periods. (b) Enrolled eligible beneficiaries are required to pay associate membership dues if they enroll in open employee organization sponsored plans that are participating in the demonstration project. (c) DoD will deny enrollment of eligible beneficiaries when the total number of eligible beneficiaries and family members enrolled in the demonstration project reaches 66,000. (d) Eligible beneficiaries can enroll only in health plans offered by health benefit carriers who are participating in the demonstration project. (e) Eligible beneficiaries and family members enrolled in the demonstration project are not eligible to obtain services from military medical treatment facilities or to enroll in a health care plan under the TRICARE Program. (f) An eligible beneficiary enrolled in an FEHB plan under the demonstration project may change health benefits plans and coverage in the same manner as any other FEHB Program enrollee, except as provided for in this subpart. (a) If an enrolled eligible beneficiary moves out of a demonstration area, the enrollment of the eligible beneficiary and all family members will be terminated. If an enrolled eligible beneficiary moves to an area located within a demonstration area, he or she will continue to be eligible to participate in the demonstration project. If the eligible beneficiary was enrolled prior to the move in an HMO that does not serve the new demonstration area, the eligible beneficiary will have an opportunity to select a new health plan offered by a carrier participating in the demonstration project in the new area. If the eligible beneficiary was enrolled in a fee-for-service plan prior to the move and moves to another area that is within an existing demonstration area, the eligible beneficiary can maintain his or her current coverage. (b) If an enrolled eligible beneficiary disenrolls, cancels, or terminates enrollment for any reason, he or she will not be eligible to reenroll in the demonstration project. Once coverage ends, eligible beneficiaries and all family members have the right to resume all of the benefits to which they are entitled to under title 10 of the United States Code. Medicare-covered eligible beneficiaries and their eligible family members who had Medigap policies prior to their enrollment in the demonstration project are entitled to reinstate that coverage under the conditions stated in section 1108(l) of title 10, United States Code. (c) Eligible beneficiaries and their family members are eligible for Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) under the conditions and for the durations described in subpart K or until the end of the demonstration project, whichever occurs first. The effective date of TCC for eligible beneficiaries or their eligible family members will be the day after other coverage under this subpart ends. Eligible beneficiaries or their eligible family members selecting TCC must enroll in a health plan offered by a carrier participating in the demonstration project. If an eligible beneficiary or eligible family member enrolled in DoD TCC moves from a demonstration project area, coverage ends. DoD TCC enrollees will be responsible for paying the entire DoD premium rate (OPM's approved net-to-carrier DoD rate plus 4 percent for contingency and administration reserves) plus 2 percent of this premium rate for administration of the program. DoD will make arrangements to collect premiums plus the 2 percent administrative charge from eligible beneficiaries and forward them to OPM's Employees Health Benefits Fund. OPM will establish procedures for receiving the 2 percent administrative payment into the Employees Health Benefits Fund and making this amount available to DoD for administration of the program. (d) Enrolled eligible beneficiaries are not eligible for the temporary extension of coverage and conversion opportunities described in subpart D of this part. The Secretary of Defense is responsible for the government contribution for enrolled eligible beneficiaries and family members. The government contribution toward demonstration project premium rates will be determined in accordance with subpart E of this part. Each carrier will compile, maintain, and when requested by OPM or DoD, report data on its plan's experience necessary to produce reports containing the following information and analysis: (a) The number of eligible beneficiaries who elect to participate in the demonstration project. (b) The number of eligible beneficiaries who elected to participate in the demonstration project and did not have Medicare Part B coverage before electing to participate. (c) The costs of health benefits charges and the costs (direct and indirect) of administering the benefits and services provided to eligible beneficiaries who elect to participate in the demonstration project as compared to similarly situated enrollees in the FEHB Program. (d) Prescription drug costs for demonstration project beneficiaries. (a) All carriers who participate in the FEHB Program and provide benefits to enrollees in the geographic areas selected as demonstration project areas must participate in the demonstration project, except as provided for in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section. (b) Carriers who have less than 300 FEHB enrollees may, but are not required to, participate in the demonstration project. (c) Carriers may, but are not required to, participate in the demonstration project if their service area overlaps a small portion (as determined by OPM) of a demonstration project geographic area. (d) Carriers offering fee-for-service plans with enrollment limited to specific groups will not participate in the demonstration project.
Title 5: Administrative Personnel
PART 890—FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM
Section Contents
§ 890.101 Definitions; time computations.
§ 890.102 Coverage.
§ 890.103 Correction of errors.
§ 890.104 Initial decision and reconsideration on enrollment.
§ 890.105 Filing claims for payment or service.
§ 890.106 Delegation of authority for resolving certain contract disputes.
§ 890.107 Court review.
§ 890.108 Waiver of requirements for continued coverage during retirement.
§ 890.109 Exclusion of certain periods of eligibility when determining continued coverage during retirement.
§ 890.110 Enrollment reconciliation.
§ 890.201 Minimum standards for health benefits plans.
§ 890.202 Minimum standards for health benefits carriers.
§ 890.203 Application for approval of, and proposal of amendments to, health benefit plans.
§ 890.204 Withdrawal of approval of health benefits plans or carriers.
§ 890.205 Nonrenewal of contracts of health benefits plans.
§ 890.301 Opportunities for employees who are not participants in premium conversion to enroll or change enrollment; effective dates.
§ 890.302 Coverage of family members.
§ 890.303 Continuation of enrollment.
§ 890.304 Termination of enrollment.
§ 890.305 Reinstatement of enrollment after military service.
§ 890.306 When can annuitants or survivor annuitants change enrollment or reenroll and what are the effective dates?
§ 890.307 Waiver or suspension of annuity or compensation.
§ 890.308 Disenrollment.
§ 890.401 Temporary extension of coverage and conversion.
§ 890.501 Government contributions.
§ 890.502 Employee withholdings and contributions.
§ 890.503 Reserves.
§ 890.504 Disposition of contingency reserves upon reorganization or merger of plans.
§ 890.505 Recurring premium payments to carriers.
§ 890.601 Coverage.
§ 890.602 Opportunity to change enrollment.
§ 890.603 Effective date.
§ 890.604 [Reserved]
§ 890.605 Persons confined on effective date.
§ 890.701 Definitions.
§ 890.702 Payment to any licensed practitioner.
§ 890.801 Introduction.
§ 890.802 Definition.
§ 890.803 Who may enroll.
§ 890.804 Coverage.
§ 890.805 Application time limitations.
§ 890.806 When can former spouses change enrollment or reenroll and what are the effective dates?
§ 890.807 When do enrollments terminate, cancel or suspend?
§ 890.808 Employing office responsibilities.
§ 890.901 Purpose.
§ 890.902 Definition.
§ 890.903 Covered services.
§ 890.904 Determination of FEHB benefit payment.
§ 890.905 Limits on inpatient hospital and physician charges.
§ 890.906 Retired enrolled individuals coinsurance payments.
§ 890.907 Effective dates.
§ 890.908 Notification of HHS.
§ 890.909 End-of-year settlements.
§ 890.910 Provider information.
General Provisions and Definitions
§ 890.1001 Scope and purpose.
§ 890.1002 Use of terminology.
§ 890.1003 Definitions.
Mandatory Debarments
§ 890.1004 Bases for mandatory debarments.
§ 890.1005 Time limits for OPM to initiate mandatory debarments.
§ 890.1006 Notice of proposed mandatory debarment.
§ 890.1007 Minimum length of mandatory debarments.
§ 890.1008 Mandatory debarment for longer than the minimum length.
§ 890.1009 Contesting proposed mandatory debarments.
§ 890.1010 Debarring official's decision of contest.
Permissive Debarments
§ 890.1011 Bases for permissive debarments.
§ 890.1012 Time limits for OPM to initiate permissive debarments.
§ 890.1013 Deciding whether to propose a permissive debarment.
§ 890.1014 Notice of proposed permissive debarment.
§ 890.1015 Minimum and maximum length of permissive debarments.
§ 890.1016 Aggravating and mitigating factors used to determine the length of permissive debarments.
§ 890.1017 Determining length of debarment based on revocation or suspension of a provider's professional licensure.
§ 890.1018 Determining length of debarment for an entity owned or controlled by a sanctioned provider.
§ 890.1019 Determining length of debarment based on ownership or control of a sanctioned entity.
§ 890.1020 Determining length of debarment based on false, wrongful, or deceptive claims.
§ 890.1021 Determining length of debarment based on failure to furnish information needed to resolve claims.
§ 890.1022 Contesting proposed permissive debarments.
§ 890.1023 Information considered in deciding a contest.
§ 890.1024 Standard and burden of proof for deciding contests.
§ 890.1025 Cases where additional fact-finding is not required.
§ 890.1026 Procedures if a fact-finding proceeding is not required.
§ 890.1027 Cases where an additional fact-finding proceeding is required.
§ 890.1028 Conducting a fact-finding proceeding.
§ 890.1029 Deciding a contest after a fact-finding proceeding.
Suspension
§ 890.1030 Effect of a suspension.
§ 890.1031 Grounds for suspension.
§ 890.1032 Length of suspension.
§ 890.1033 Notice of suspension.
§ 890.1034 Counting a period of suspension as part of a subsequent debarment.
§ 890.1035 Provider contests of suspensions.
§ 890.1036 Information considered in deciding a contest.
§ 890.1037 Cases where additional fact-finding is not required.
§ 890.1038 Deciding a contest without additional fact-finding.
§ 890.1039 Cases where additional fact-finding is required.
§ 890.1040 Conducting a fact-finding proceeding.
§ 890.1041 Deciding a contest after a fact-finding proceeding.
Effect of Debarment
§ 890.1042 Effective dates of debarments.
§ 890.1043 Effect of debarment on a provider.
Notifying Outside Parties About Debarment and Suspension Actions
§ 890.1044 Entities notified of OPM-issued debarments and suspensions.
§ 890.1045 Informing persons covered by FEHBP about debarment or suspension of their provider.
Exceptions to the Effect of Debarments
§ 890.1046 Effect of debarment or suspension on payments for services furnished in emergency situations.
§ 890.1047 Special rules for institutional providers.
§ 890.1048 Waiver of debarment for a provider that is the sole source of health care services in a community.
Special Exceptions To Protect Covered Persons
§ 890.1049 Claims for non-emergency items or services furnished by a debarred or suspended provider.
§ 890.1050 Exception to a provider's debarment for an individual enrollee.
Reinstatement
§ 890.1051 Applying for reinstatement when period of debarment expires.
§ 890.1052 Reinstatements without application.
§ 890.1053 Table of procedures and effective dates for reinstatements.
§ 890.1054 Agencies and entities to be notified of reinstatements.
§ 890.1055 Contesting a denial of reinstatement.
Civil Monetary Penalties and Financial Assessments
§ 890.1060 Purpose and scope of civil monetary penalties and assessments.
§ 890.1061 Bases for penalties and assessments.
§ 890.1062 Deciding whether to impose penalties and assessments.
§ 890.1063 Maximum amounts of penalties and assessments.
§ 890.1064 Determining the amounts of penalties and assessments to be imposed on a provider.
§ 890.1065 Deciding whether to suspend or debar a provider in a case that also involves penalties and assessments.
§ 890.1066 Notice of proposed penalties and assessments.
§ 890.1067 Provider contests of proposed penalties and assessments.
§ 890.1068 Effect of not contesting proposed penalties and assessments.
§ 890.1069 Information the debarring official must consider in deciding a provider's contest of proposed penalties and assessments.
§ 890.1070 Deciding contests of proposed penalties and assessments.
§ 890.1071 Further appeal rights after final decision to impose penalties and assessments.
§ 890.1072 Collecting penalties and assessments.
§ 890.1101 Purpose.
§ 890.1102 Definitions.
§ 890.1103 Eligibility.
§ 890.1104 Notification by agency.
§ 890.1105 Initial election of temporary continuation of coverage; application time limitations and effective dates.
§ 890.1106 Coverage.
§ 890.1107 Length of temporary continuation of coverage.
§ 890.1108 Opportunities to change enrollment; effective dates.
§ 890.1109 Premium payments.
§ 890.1110 Termination of enrollment or coverage.
§ 890.1111 Employing office responsibilities.
§ 890.1112 Denial of continuation of coverage due to involuntary separation for gross misconduct.
§ 890.1113 The administrative charge.
§ 890.1201 Purpose.
§ 890.1202 Definitions.
§ 890.1203 Coverage.
§ 890.1204 Effective date of coverage.
§ 890.1205 Change in type of enrollment.
§ 890.1206 Cancellation of coverage.
§ 890.1207 Termination of coverage.
§ 890.1208 Premiums.
§ 890.1209 Responsibilities of the U.S. Department of State.
§ 890.1210 Reconsideration and appeal rights.
§ 890.1301 Purpose.
§ 890.1302 Duration.
§ 890.1303 Eligibility.
§ 890.1304 Enrollment.
§ 890.1305 Termination and cancellation.
§ 890.1306 Government premium contributions.
§ 890.1307 Data collection.
§ 890.1308 Carrier participation.
Subpart A—Administration and General Provisions
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§ 890.101 Definitions; time computations.
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§ 890.102 Coverage.
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§ 890.103 Correction of errors.
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§ 890.104 Initial decision and reconsideration on enrollment.
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§ 890.105 Filing claims for payment or service.
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§ 890.106 Delegation of authority for resolving certain contract disputes.
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§ 890.107 Court review.
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§ 890.108 Waiver of requirements for continued coverage during retirement.
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§ 890.109 Exclusion of certain periods of eligibility when determining continued coverage during retirement.
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§ 890.110 Enrollment reconciliation.
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Subpart B—Health Benefits Plans
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§ 890.201 Minimum standards for health benefits plans.
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§ 890.202 Minimum standards for health benefits carriers.
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§ 890.203 Application for approval of, and proposal of amendments to, health benefit plans.
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§ 890.204 Withdrawal of approval of health benefits plans or carriers.
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§ 890.205 Nonrenewal of contracts of health benefits plans.
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Subpart C—Enrollment
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§ 890.301 Opportunities for employees who are not participants in premium conversion to enroll or change enrollment; effective dates.
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§ 890.302 Coverage of family members.
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§ 890.303 Continuation of enrollment.
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§ 890.304 Termination of enrollment.
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§ 890.305 Reinstatement of enrollment after military service.
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§ 890.306 When can annuitants or survivor annuitants change enrollment or reenroll and what are the effective dates?
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§ 890.307 Waiver or suspension of annuity or compensation.
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§ 890.308 Disenrollment.
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Subpart D—Temporary Extension of Coverage and Conversion
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§ 890.401 Temporary extension of coverage and conversion.
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Subpart E—Contributions and Withholdings
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§ 890.501 Government contributions.
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§ 890.502 Employee withholdings and contributions.
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§ 890.503 Reserves.
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§ 890.504 Disposition of contingency reserves upon reorganization or merger of plans.
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§ 890.505 Recurring premium payments to carriers.
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Subpart F—Transfers From Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
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§ 890.601 Coverage.
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§ 890.602 Opportunity to change enrollment.
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§ 890.603 Effective date.
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§ 890.604 [Reserved]
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§ 890.605 Persons confined on effective date.
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Subpart G—Benefits in Medically Underserved Areas
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§ 890.701 Definitions.
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§ 890.702 Payment to any licensed practitioner.
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Subpart H—Benefits for Former Spouses
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§ 890.801 Introduction.
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§ 890.802 Definition.
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§ 890.803 Who may enroll.
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§ 890.804 Coverage.
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§ 890.805 Application time limitations.
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§ 890.806 When can former spouses change enrollment or reenroll and what are the effective dates?
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§ 890.807 When do enrollments terminate, cancel or suspend?
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§ 890.808 Employing office responsibilities.
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Subpart I—Limit on Inpatient Hospital Charges, Physician Charges, and FEHB Benefit Payments
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§ 890.901 Purpose.
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§ 890.902 Definition.
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§ 890.903 Covered services.
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§ 890.904 Determination of FEHB benefit payment.
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§ 890.905 Limits on inpatient hospital and physician charges.
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§ 890.906 Retired enrolled individuals coinsurance payments.
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§ 890.907 Effective dates.
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§ 890.908 Notification of HHS.
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§ 890.909 End-of-year settlements.
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§ 890.910 Provider information.
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Subpart J—Administrative Sanctions Imposed Against Health Care Providers
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General Provisions and Definitions
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§ 890.1001 Scope and purpose.
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§ 890.1002 Use of terminology.
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§ 890.1003 Definitions.
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Mandatory Debarments
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§ 890.1004 Bases for mandatory debarments.
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§ 890.1005 Time limits for OPM to initiate mandatory debarments.
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§ 890.1006 Notice of proposed mandatory debarment.
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§ 890.1007 Minimum length of mandatory debarments.
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§ 890.1008 Mandatory debarment for longer than the minimum length.
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§ 890.1009 Contesting proposed mandatory debarments.
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§ 890.1010 Debarring official's decision of contest.
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Permissive Debarments
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§ 890.1011 Bases for permissive debarments.
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§ 890.1012 Time limits for OPM to initiate permissive debarments.
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§ 890.1013 Deciding whether to propose a permissive debarment.
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§ 890.1014 Notice of proposed permissive debarment.
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§ 890.1015 Minimum and maximum length of permissive debarments.
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§ 890.1016 Aggravating and mitigating factors used to determine the length of permissive debarments.
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§ 890.1017 Determining length of debarment based on revocation or suspension of a provider's professional licensure.
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§ 890.1018 Determining length of debarment for an entity owned or controlled by a sanctioned provider.
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§ 890.1019 Determining length of debarment based on ownership or control of a sanctioned entity.
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§ 890.1020 Determining length of debarment based on false, wrongful, or deceptive claims.
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§ 890.1021 Determining length of debarment based on failure to furnish information needed to resolve claims.
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§ 890.1022 Contesting proposed permissive debarments.
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§ 890.1023 Information considered in deciding a contest.
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§ 890.1024 Standard and burden of proof for deciding contests.
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§ 890.1025 Cases where additional fact-finding is not required.
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§ 890.1026 Procedures if a fact-finding proceeding is not required.
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§ 890.1027 Cases where an additional fact-finding proceeding is required.
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§ 890.1028 Conducting a fact-finding proceeding.
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§ 890.1029 Deciding a contest after a fact-finding proceeding.
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Suspension
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§ 890.1030 Effect of a suspension.
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§ 890.1031 Grounds for suspension.
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§ 890.1032 Length of suspension.
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§ 890.1033 Notice of suspension.
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§ 890.1034 Counting a period of suspension as part of a subsequent debarment.
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§ 890.1035 Provider contests of suspensions.
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§ 890.1036 Information considered in deciding a contest.
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§ 890.1037 Cases where additional fact-finding is not required.
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§ 890.1038 Deciding a contest without additional fact-finding.
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§ 890.1039 Cases where additional fact-finding is required.
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§ 890.1040 Conducting a fact-finding proceeding.
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§ 890.1041 Deciding a contest after a fact-finding proceeding.
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Effect of Debarment
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§ 890.1042 Effective dates of debarments.
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§ 890.1043 Effect of debarment on a provider.
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Notifying Outside Parties About Debarment and Suspension Actions
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§ 890.1044 Entities notified of OPM-issued debarments and suspensions.
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§ 890.1045 Informing persons covered by FEHBP about debarment or suspension of their provider.
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Exceptions to the Effect of Debarments
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§ 890.1046 Effect of debarment or suspension on payments for services furnished in emergency situations.
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§ 890.1047 Special rules for institutional providers.
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§ 890.1048 Waiver of debarment for a provider that is the sole source of health care services in a community.
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Special Exceptions To Protect Covered Persons
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§ 890.1049 Claims for non-emergency items or services furnished by a debarred or suspended provider.
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§ 890.1050 Exception to a provider's debarment for an individual enrollee.
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Reinstatement
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§ 890.1051 Applying for reinstatement when period of debarment expires.
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§ 890.1052 Reinstatements without application.
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§ 890.1053 Table of procedures and effective dates for reinstatements.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ Application Basis for debarment required? Effective date------------------------------------------------------------------------Period of debarment expires. Yes................. After debarment expires.Conviction reversed on final No.................. Retroactive (start appeal/no retrial possible. of debarment).Other agency sanction ends.. No.................. Ending date of sanction.Court orders reinstatement.. No.................. Retroactive (start of debarment).------------------------------------------------------------------------
§ 890.1054 Agencies and entities to be notified of reinstatements.
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§ 890.1055 Contesting a denial of reinstatement.
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Civil Monetary Penalties and Financial Assessments
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§ 890.1060 Purpose and scope of civil monetary penalties and assessments.
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§ 890.1061 Bases for penalties and assessments.
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§ 890.1062 Deciding whether to impose penalties and assessments.
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§ 890.1063 Maximum amounts of penalties and assessments.
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§ 890.1064 Determining the amounts of penalties and assessments to be imposed on a provider.
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§ 890.1065 Deciding whether to suspend or debar a provider in a case that also involves penalties and assessments.
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§ 890.1066 Notice of proposed penalties and assessments.
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§ 890.1067 Provider contests of proposed penalties and assessments.
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§ 890.1068 Effect of not contesting proposed penalties and assessments.
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§ 890.1069 Information the debarring official must consider in deciding a provider's contest of proposed penalties and assessments.
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§ 890.1070 Deciding contests of proposed penalties and assessments.
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§ 890.1071 Further appeal rights after final decision to impose penalties and assessments.
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§ 890.1072 Collecting penalties and assessments.
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Subpart K—Temporary Continuation of Coverage
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§ 890.1101 Purpose.
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§ 890.1102 Definitions.
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§ 890.1103 Eligibility.
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§ 890.1104 Notification by agency.
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§ 890.1105 Initial election of temporary continuation of coverage; application time limitations and effective dates.
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§ 890.1106 Coverage.
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§ 890.1107 Length of temporary continuation of coverage.
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§ 890.1108 Opportunities to change enrollment; effective dates.
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§ 890.1109 Premium payments.
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§ 890.1110 Termination of enrollment or coverage.
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§ 890.1111 Employing office responsibilities.
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§ 890.1112 Denial of continuation of coverage due to involuntary separation for gross misconduct.
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§ 890.1113 The administrative charge.
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Subpart L—Benefits for United States Hostages in Iraq and Kuwait and United States Hostages Captured in Lebanon
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§ 890.1201 Purpose.
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§ 890.1202 Definitions.
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§ 890.1203 Coverage.
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§ 890.1204 Effective date of coverage.
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§ 890.1205 Change in type of enrollment.
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§ 890.1206 Cancellation of coverage.
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§ 890.1207 Termination of coverage.
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§ 890.1208 Premiums.
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§ 890.1209 Responsibilities of the U.S. Department of State.
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§ 890.1210 Reconsideration and appeal rights.
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Subpart M—Department of Defense Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Demonstration Project
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§ 890.1301 Purpose.
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§ 890.1302 Duration.
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§ 890.1303 Eligibility.
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§ 890.1304 Enrollment.
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§ 890.1305 Termination and cancellation.
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§ 890.1306 Government premium contributions.
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§ 890.1307 Data collection.
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§ 890.1308 Carrier participation.
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