U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce
Insurance Services Programs
Appendix H
FEDVIP Qualifying Life Events
RI 70-01 For Federal Civilian Employees
A qualifying life event (QLE) is an event that allows you to enroll, or if you are already enrolled, allows you to change your enrollment outside of an Open Season.
The following chart lists the QLEs and the enrollment actions you may take.
| Qualifying Life Event | From Not Enrolled to Enrolled | INCREASE: Enrollment Type | DECREASE: Enrollment Type | Cancel | CHANGE: from One Plan to Another |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acquiring an eligible family member | No |
Yes |
No |
No | No |
| Losing a convered family member | No |
No |
Yes |
No | No |
| Losing other dental/vision coverage (eligible or covered person) | Yes |
Yes |
No |
No | No |
| Moving out of regional plan's service area | No |
No |
No |
No | Yes |
| Return to pay status from active military duty | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Annuity/compensation restores | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
The time frame for requesting a QLE change is from 31 days before to 60 days after the event. There are two exceptions:
- There is no time limit for a change based on moving from a regional plan’s service area, and
- You cannot request a new enrollment based on a QLE before the QLE occurs. You must make the change no later than 60 days after the event.
Generally, enrollments and enrollment changes made based on a QLE are effective on the first day of the pay period following the one in which BENEFEDS receives and confirms the enrollment or change. BENEFEDS will send you confirmation of your new coverage effective date. BENEFEDS is a secure enrollment website sponsored by OPM.
Cancelling an enrollment
You can cancel your enrollment only during the annual Open Season or upon deployment to active military duty. An eligible family member’s coverage also ends upon the effective date of the cancellation.
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