United States

Office of Personnel Management

Retirement and Insurance Service

Benefits Administration Letter

Number: 97-408	Date: October 17, 1997

Subject:	1997 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season: FEHB Guide Shipment Delay

This is to advise you that, due to production problems, shipment of the 1998 Guide to Federal Employees Health Benefits Plans for Federal Civilian Employees (RI 70-1), will be delayed by as much as five days. The Guides for individuals covered under temporary continuation of coverage (TCC) and spouse equity coverage (RI 70-5), and for temporary employees (RI 70-8) will be similarly delayed.

If you do not get your order of these Guides by October 29, 1997, please contact our Forms Analysis and Design office on 202-606-0623, or email them at RISFORMS@opm.gov.

These delays will not require an extension of Open Season. However, if circumstances arise that prevent individuals from making timely Open Season changes, remember that agencies have the authority to permit belated changes in individual cases.

Abby L. Block, Chief

Insurance Policy

and Information Division