U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce

When you lose Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage other than by cancellation (including cancellation by nonpayment of premiums) you have a 31-day temporary extension of coverage, at no cost, in the same enrollment category so you may convert to an individual contract with your current health benefits plan. This is true even when you also have the right to elect temporary continuation of FEHB coverage. TCC takes effect on the day that the 31-day temporary extension of coverage ends. Coverage is retroactive to that date if the enrollment processing is completed later.

When you elect TCC instead of the conversion policy you have another 31-day extension of coverage, at no cost, in the same enrollment category held at the time TCC expires. You have another opportunity to convert to an individual contract when the temporary continuation ends (other than for cancellation).