If you have a Self and Family FEHB enrollment, your spouse is eligible to continue coverage under your enrollment while you are legally separated or in the process of getting a divorce or an annulment. Once the divorce or annulment is final, your ex-spouse loses coverage at midnight of the day the divorce or annulment is final, subject to a 31-day extension of coverage.
You can find more information in the FEHB Handbook.
After the divorce or annulment is final, your ex-spouse cannot remain covered as a family member under your Self and Family enrollment (even if a court order requires it). Your ex-spouse may be eligible to enroll under Spouse Equity, or Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC), or convert to an individual policy with your carrier. Please visit the former spouses section of the FEHB Handbook for more information.
If you have a Self and Family FEHB enrollment and there are no other eligible family members, the divorce is a Qualifying Life Event. Within 60 days of the date of your divorce or annulment, you can change to a Self Only enrollment. At the same time, you can change plans or options.
If you have a Self and Family enrollment and other eligible family members on the enrollment, you must contact your FEHB plan to let them know the date of the divorce or annulment and have them remove your ex-spouse. You do not need to complete a SF 2809 (Health Benefits Election Form) or obtain any agency verification in these situations. However, your plan may ask for a copy of the divorce decree as proof.
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for more information on separation and divorce.