Department Of Commerce Office of Human Resources Management

Table of Permissible Changes in Enrollment

Enrollment May Be Cancelled or Changed From Family to Self Only at Any Time

No. Events That Permit Enrollment Change Change Permitted Time Limit in Which Registration Form Electing Change Must Be Filed With Employing Office**

Event From Not Enrolled to Enrolled From Self Only to Family From One Plan or Option to Another

1 Open Season Yes* † Yes Yes As announced by the Office of Personnel Management.

2 Change in marital status. (Marriage, divorce, annulment, death of spouse.) Yes* † Yes (Except former spouses.) Yes (Except former spouses.) From 31 days before to 60 days after change in marital status.

3 Othe change in family status. (For example, birth of a child, legal separation, discharge from military service of a spouse or of a child under age 22). No Yes No Within 60 days after change in family status.

4 Move from an area served by a prepaid plan (CMP/HMO) in which enrolled at time of move. Does not apply Yes Yes At any time after move.

5 Termination of enrollment by employee organization plan because of termination of membership in organization. Does not apply No Yes Within 31 days after termination of enrollment in plan.

6 Employee, annuitant or former spouse (spouse equity), covered as a family member under another's FEHB enrollment, loses coverage other than by cancellation or change to Self Only of the covering enrollment; or employee, covered under Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Program or under another federally sponsered health benefits program, loses such coverage for any reason. Yes* Does not apply Does not apply Within 31 days after termination (except, for employees, within 60 days after the death of the enrollee). Coverage is effective the first day of the pay period that begins after the employing office receives the SF 2809. If election is made within the time limit, but after expiration of the 31-day extension of coverage (or too close to the expiration of the 31-day extension of coverage), there will be a break in coverage.

7 Employee, annuitant or former spouse (spouse equity), covered as a family member under another's FEHB enrollment, loses coverage because of change of the covering enrollment from Family to Self Only. Yes, for Self Only* Does not apply Does not apply Within 31 days after change of covering enrollment has been filed. Coverage is effective the first day of the pay period that begins after the employing office receives the SF 1809. If election is made within the time limit, but during a pay period following the one in which the change to Self Only was filed, there will be a break in coverage.

8 Employee transfers to overseas post of duty from the United States, or reverse. Yes* Yes Yes Within 31 days before or after move.

9 Employee returns to active civillan duty or annuitant separates from military service which was not limited to 30 days or less. Yes*† Yes Yes Within 31 days after return to active civilan duty or separation from military service.

10 Your plan stops participating in the FEHB Program. Does not apply Yes Yes As set by the Office of Personnel Management.

11 Self Only enrollment under this Program of employee's or annuitant's spouse terminates as a result of change in spouse's Federal employment status or 365 days' nonpay status. No Yes No Within 31 days after termination of spouse's enrollment. Coverage is effective the first day of the pay period that begins after the employing office receives the SF 2809. If election is made within the time limit, but after expiration of the 31-day extension of coverage (or too close to the expiration of the 31-day extension of coverage), there will be a break in coverage.

12 Employee who is not enrolled loses coverage under parent's non-Federal health plan. Yes* Does not apply Does not apply Within 31 days after loss of coverage, except within 60 days after the death of the parent.

13 Enrolled employee retires from overseas post of duty and is eligible to continue enrollment as annuitant. Does not apply Yes Yes Within 60 days after retirement.

14 Enrollee becomes eligible for Medicare. Does not apply No Yes At any time beginning 30 days before becoming eligible for Medicate.

15 Enrollee's eligible child (or children) loses coverage under another's FEHB enrollment. No Yes No Within 31 days after child's (children's) loss of coverage. Coverage is effective the first day of the pay period that begins after the employing office receives the SF 2809. If election is made within the time limit, but after expiration of the 31-day extension of coverage (or too close to the expiration of the 31-day extension of coverage), there will be a break in coverage.

16 Employee loses coverage under Medicaid (State program of medical assistance for the needy.) Yes* Does not apply Does not apply Within 31 days after termination of Medicaid.

17 Employee, annuitant or former spouse (spouse equity), covered as a family member under another's FEHB enrollment, loses coverage due to cancellation of the covering enrollment. Yes* Does not apply You must enroll in the same plan and option as theat from which coverage is lost, if eligible to enroll in that plan, within 31 days after cancellation of the covering enrollment. If not eligible to enroll in that plan, you may enroll in the same option of any available plan within the 31-day period. Coverage is effective the first day of the pay period that begins after the employing office receives the SF 2809. If election is made within the time limit, but during a pay period following the one in which the cancellation was filed, there will be a break in coverage.

18 Enrolled employee's employment status changes from full-time to part-time career emp0loymnet as defined in the Federal Employees Part-Time Career Employment Act of 1978. No No Yes Within 31 days after the change in employment status.

19 Employee or employee's spouse loses coverage under spouse's non-Federal health plan when spouse terminates employment to accompany employee whose reassignment is directed out of commuting area. Yes* Yes No Within 31 days before or after move.

20 Employee's or annuitant's spouse involuntarily loses his or her non-Federal health insurance coverage, or coverage for his or her dependents; or employee's or annuitant's eligible child (or children) loses non-Federal coverage under the other parent's health plan because the other parent involuntarily loses coverage for his or her dependents. Yes*† Yes No Within 31 days before or after spouse's or dependent's loss of coverage; or within 31 days before or after child's (or children's) loss of coverage

21 Former spouse who is eligible to enroll under the authority of the Civil Service Retirement Spouse Equity Act of 1984 (P.L. 98-615), as amended, the Intelligence Authorization Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-569), or the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989 (P.L. 100-204). Yes* Does not apply Does not apply Generally, within 60 days after divorce. If divorce occurs after Federal employee retires, within 60 days after divorce or 60 days after retiree election of a survivor annuity for the former spouse. Certain former spouses of employees who retired before May 7, 1985, may be subject to a different time limit and should contact the employee's retirement system for additional information.

22 Temporary employee completes one year of service in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 8906a. Yes* Does not apply Does not apply Within 31 days after becoming eligible.

23 Temporary employee, eligible under 5 U.S.C. 8906a, changes to a nontemporary appointment. Yes* Yes Yes Within 31 days after changing to non-temporary appointment.

24 Employee separated from service and eligible for temporary continuation of coverage. Does not apply Yes Yes Within 60 days after the later of: separation; or receiving notice of the opportunity to elect temporary continuation of coverage. Coverage is effective the day after other FEHB coverage ends, including the 31-day extension of coverage. If election is made after the end of the 31-day extension of coverage, the effective date will be retroactive.

25 Child of employee, former employee or annuitant stops meeting the requirement for unmarried dependent children. Yes* Does not apply Does not apply Within 60 days after the later of: the qualifying event; or the child's receiving notice of the opportunity to elect temporary continuation of coverage (based on the enrollee's notification to the employing office of the child's eligibility). Coverage is effective the day after other FEHB coverage ends, including the 31-day extension of coverage. If election is made after the end of the 31-day extension of coverage, the effective date will be retroactive.

26 Former spouse meets the requirement in 5 U.S.C. 8901(10) of having been enrolled in an FEHB plan as a covered family member at some time during the 18 months before the marriage ended, but does not meet one or both of the other two requirements of 5 U.S.C. 8901(10). Yes* Does not apply Does not apply Within 60 days after the later of: the qualifying even; the date coverage under Subpart H of 5 CFR Part 890 was lost, if the loss occurred within 36 months of the qualifying even; or the former spouse's receiving notice of the opportunity to elect temporary continuation of coverage (based on the enrollee's or former spouse's notification to the employing office of the former spouse's eligibility). Coverage is effective the day after other FEHB coverage ends, including the 31-day extension of coverage; or the date of the qualifying event, if later. If election is made after the end of the 31-day extension of coverage or the date of the qualifying event, the effective date will be retroactive.

27 Former employee, former spouse or child whose temporary continuation of coverage under 5 CFR Part 890 Subpart K terminates due to other FEHB coverage, loses the other FEHB coverage. Yes* Does not apply You must enroll in the same plan and option as that in which you were enrolled prior to obtaining the other FEHB coverage, if eligible to enroll in that plan, within 31 days after the other coverage ends, but no later than the expiration of the period of eligibility for the timporary continuation of coverage. If not eligible to enroll in that plan, you may enroll in the same option of any available plan within the 31-day time limit.

* Individuals must be otherwise eligible to enroll.
**Also selected effective date information.
† Employees only.

No.	Events That Permit Enrollment Change	Change Permitted			Time Limit in Which Registration Form Electing Change Must Be Filed With Employing Office**
No.	Event	From Not Enrolled to Enrolled	From Self Only to Family	From One Plan or Option to Another
1	Open Season	Yes* †	Yes	Yes	As announced by the Office of Personnel Management.
2	Change in marital status. (Marriage, divorce, annulment, death of spouse.)	Yes* †	Yes (Except former spouses.)	Yes (Except former spouses.)	From 31 days before to 60 days after change in marital status.
3	Othe change in family status. (For example, birth of a child, legal separation, discharge from military service of a spouse or of a child under age 22).	No	Yes	No	Within 60 days after change in family status.
4	Move from an area served by a prepaid plan (CMP/HMO) in which enrolled at time of move.	Does not apply	Yes	Yes	At any time after move.
5	Termination of enrollment by employee organization plan because of termination of membership in organization.	Does not apply	No	Yes	Within 31 days after termination of enrollment in plan.
6	Employee, annuitant or former spouse (spouse equity), covered as a family member under another's FEHB enrollment, loses coverage other than by cancellation or change to Self Only of the covering enrollment; or employee, covered under Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Program or under another federally sponsered health benefits program, loses such coverage for any reason.	Yes*	Does not apply	Does not apply	Within 31 days after termination (except, for employees, within 60 days after the death of the enrollee). Coverage is effective the first day of the pay period that begins after the employing office receives the SF 2809. If election is made within the time limit, but after expiration of the 31-day extension of coverage (or too close to the expiration of the 31-day extension of coverage), there will be a break in coverage.
7	Employee, annuitant or former spouse (spouse equity), covered as a family member under another's FEHB enrollment, loses coverage because of change of the covering enrollment from Family to Self Only.	Yes, for Self Only*	Does not apply	Does not apply	Within 31 days after change of covering enrollment has been filed. Coverage is effective the first day of the pay period that begins after the employing office receives the SF 1809. If election is made within the time limit, but during a pay period following the one in which the change to Self Only was filed, there will be a break in coverage.
8	Employee transfers to overseas post of duty from the United States, or reverse.	Yes*	Yes	Yes	Within 31 days before or after move.
9	Employee returns to active civillan duty or annuitant separates from military service which was not limited to 30 days or less.	Yes*†	Yes	Yes	Within 31 days after return to active civilan duty or separation from military service.
10	Your plan stops participating in the FEHB Program.	Does not apply	Yes	Yes	As set by the Office of Personnel Management.
11	Self Only enrollment under this Program of employee's or annuitant's spouse terminates as a result of change in spouse's Federal employment status or 365 days' nonpay status.	No	Yes	No	Within 31 days after termination of spouse's enrollment. Coverage is effective the first day of the pay period that begins after the employing office receives the SF 2809. If election is made within the time limit, but after expiration of the 31-day extension of coverage (or too close to the expiration of the 31-day extension of coverage), there will be a break in coverage.
12	Employee who is not enrolled loses coverage under parent's non-Federal health plan.	Yes*	Does not apply	Does not apply	Within 31 days after loss of coverage, except within 60 days after the death of the parent.
13	Enrolled employee retires from overseas post of duty and is eligible to continue enrollment as annuitant.	Does not apply	Yes	Yes	Within 60 days after retirement.
14	Enrollee becomes eligible for Medicare.	Does not apply	No	Yes	At any time beginning 30 days before becoming eligible for Medicate.
15	Enrollee's eligible child (or children) loses coverage under another's FEHB enrollment.	No	Yes	No	Within 31 days after child's (children's) loss of coverage. Coverage is effective the first day of the pay period that begins after the employing office receives the SF 2809. If election is made within the time limit, but after expiration of the 31-day extension of coverage (or too close to the expiration of the 31-day extension of coverage), there will be a break in coverage.
16	Employee loses coverage under Medicaid (State program of medical assistance for the needy.)	Yes*	Does not apply	Does not apply	Within 31 days after termination of Medicaid.
17	Employee, annuitant or former spouse (spouse equity), covered as a family member under another's FEHB enrollment, loses coverage due to cancellation of the covering enrollment.	Yes*	Does not apply	You must enroll in the same plan and option as theat from which coverage is lost, if eligible to enroll in that plan, within 31 days after cancellation of the covering enrollment. If not eligible to enroll in that plan, you may enroll in the same option of any available plan within the 31-day period. Coverage is effective the first day of the pay period that begins after the employing office receives the SF 2809. If election is made within the time limit, but during a pay period following the one in which the cancellation was filed, there will be a break in coverage.
18	Enrolled employee's employment status changes from full-time to part-time career emp0loymnet as defined in the Federal Employees Part-Time Career Employment Act of 1978.	No	No	Yes	Within 31 days after the change in employment status.
19	Employee or employee's spouse loses coverage under spouse's non-Federal health plan when spouse terminates employment to accompany employee whose reassignment is directed out of commuting area.	Yes*	Yes	No	Within 31 days before or after move.
20	Employee's or annuitant's spouse involuntarily loses his or her non-Federal health insurance coverage, or coverage for his or her dependents; or employee's or annuitant's eligible child (or children) loses non-Federal coverage under the other parent's health plan because the other parent involuntarily loses coverage for his or her dependents.	Yes*†	Yes	No	Within 31 days before or after spouse's or dependent's loss of coverage; or within 31 days before or after child's (or children's) loss of coverage
21	Former spouse who is eligible to enroll under the authority of the Civil Service Retirement Spouse Equity Act of 1984 (P.L. 98-615), as amended, the Intelligence Authorization Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-569), or the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989 (P.L. 100-204).	Yes*	Does not apply	Does not apply	Generally, within 60 days after divorce. If divorce occurs after Federal employee retires, within 60 days after divorce or 60 days after retiree election of a survivor annuity for the former spouse. Certain former spouses of employees who retired before May 7, 1985, may be subject to a different time limit and should contact the employee's retirement system for additional information.
22	Temporary employee completes one year of service in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 8906a.	Yes*	Does not apply	Does not apply	Within 31 days after becoming eligible.
23	Temporary employee, eligible under 5 U.S.C. 8906a, changes to a nontemporary appointment.	Yes*	Yes	Yes	Within 31 days after changing to non-temporary appointment.
24	Employee separated from service and eligible for temporary continuation of coverage.	Does not apply	Yes	Yes	Within 60 days after the later of: separation; or receiving notice of the opportunity to elect temporary continuation of coverage. Coverage is effective the day after other FEHB coverage ends, including the 31-day extension of coverage. If election is made after the end of the 31-day extension of coverage, the effective date will be retroactive.
25	Child of employee, former employee or annuitant stops meeting the requirement for unmarried dependent children.	Yes*	Does not apply	Does not apply	Within 60 days after the later of: the qualifying event; or the child's receiving notice of the opportunity to elect temporary continuation of coverage (based on the enrollee's notification to the employing office of the child's eligibility). Coverage is effective the day after other FEHB coverage ends, including the 31-day extension of coverage. If election is made after the end of the 31-day extension of coverage, the effective date will be retroactive.
26	Former spouse meets the requirement in 5 U.S.C. 8901(10) of having been enrolled in an FEHB plan as a covered family member at some time during the 18 months before the marriage ended, but does not meet one or both of the other two requirements of 5 U.S.C. 8901(10).	Yes*	Does not apply	Does not apply	Within 60 days after the later of: the qualifying even; the date coverage under Subpart H of 5 CFR Part 890 was lost, if the loss occurred within 36 months of the qualifying even; or the former spouse's receiving notice of the opportunity to elect temporary continuation of coverage (based on the enrollee's or former spouse's notification to the employing office of the former spouse's eligibility). Coverage is effective the day after other FEHB coverage ends, including the 31-day extension of coverage; or the date of the qualifying event, if later. If election is made after the end of the 31-day extension of coverage or the date of the qualifying event, the effective date will be retroactive.
27	Former employee, former spouse or child whose temporary continuation of coverage under 5 CFR Part 890 Subpart K terminates due to other FEHB coverage, loses the other FEHB coverage.	Yes*	Does not apply	You must enroll in the same plan and option as that in which you were enrolled prior to obtaining the other FEHB coverage, if eligible to enroll in that plan, within 31 days after the other coverage ends, but no later than the expiration of the period of eligibility for the timporary continuation of coverage. If not eligible to enroll in that plan, you may enroll in the same option of any available plan within the 31-day time limit.
* Individuals must be otherwise eligible to enroll. **Also selected effective date information. † Employees only.