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

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This page can be found on the web at the following url:
http://www.opm.gov/insure/new_employ/index.asp?AnswerId=7

Insurance Programs

New / Prospective Employees

As a Federal employee, you may be able to enroll in health, dental, vision and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and apply for long term care insurance. You can find information about each program by clicking on one of the links below. Each section includes common questions to help guide you to the information you need.

GUIDE ME...

Health

When can I enroll?

Answer:

Under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, you can enroll within 60 days from the date of becoming eligible. Your coverage will become effective the first day of the first pay period that begins after your enrollment request is received and that follows a pay period during any part of which you are in pay status.

If you don’t enroll when first eligible, you may also enroll during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season (mid-November through mid-December) or upon experiencing an FEHB-specific Qualifying Life Event (QLE).

An Open Season enrollment is effective the first day of the first full pay period that begins in January of the following year. An enrollment based on a QLE is generally effective the first day of the first pay period that begins after your enrollment request is received.

You can find additional information in the FEHB Handbook.

New Federal Employee Enrollment Information