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

If your stepchild or foster child temporarily lives elsewhere while attending school or for other reasons, the child is still considered to be an eligible family member if he/she is otherwise living with you in a regular parent-child relationship. Your stepchild or foster child, who lives with you at least 6 months of a year under a court order directing shared custody, may be considered living with you in a regular parent-child relationship.

If you are enrolled in an HMO and your child moves out of the HMO's service area, you may change your enrollment to another FEHB plan.

If your stepchild stops living with you in a regular parent-child relationship, the child is eligible for coverage under temporary continuation of coverage (TCC) provisions because he/she no longer meets the definition of an eligible child.

When your stepchild is no longer an eligible family member, his/her coverage continues at no cost for 31 days after the enrollment terminates. Your stepchild is also eligible to enroll in Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) or to convert to an individual policy with your carrier. Please contact your Human Resources Office or Retirement System for more information.

Because your stepchild no longer lives with you, he or she cannot be covered as an eligible dependent under your FEDVIP enrollment.

If you have him/her listed as your "One" under a Self Plus One enrollment or under your Self and Family enrollment, you must remove him or her from your FEDVIP enrollment immediately through your BENEFEDS account at www.BENEFEDS.com. However, please know that even if you do not remove him/her from your account, he/she is not covered and you are responsible for any benefits paid in error on his/her behalf.

If moving out means your coverage should now be a Self Only or Self Plus One enrollment, you can decrease your enrollment type from 31 days before to 60 days after the date he/she moved out as a "Qualifying Life Event" at www.BENEFEDS.com. Don't miss these dates, or you will have to wait until the next Federal Benefits Open Season to make the change and may be paying a higher premium for coverage you cannot use.

If you do not have access to a computer, call BENEFEDS at 1-877-888-FEDS (3337), TTY 1-877-889-5680.

Your stepchild is no longer covered under Option-C, as she/he must live with you in a regular parent-child relationship [and receive financial support].

Call FSAFEDS at 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337), TTY: 1-800-952-0450 to discuss possible options.

This does not affect their eligibility to apply or their coverage (if already enrolled).