Federal employees who have either a permanent (career-conditional
or career) appointment; and term employees (those employees who
have appointments exceeding one but not more than four years.)
Can a temporary employee enroll?
Yes, after completing one year of current continuous
government service.
Generally, what events allow me to enroll and then to change my enrollment?
You can change from a self-and-family enrollment
to a self-only enrollment at any time. Other changes may be made
during open season or because certain events take place. The most
common reasons for changing enrollment type or plans are when
enrollees get married, have babies, move away from the area served
by their Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), or go to overseas
posts of duty.
Who can Federal Employees cover under their Health Plan?
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program coverage is available for an employee's spouse and unmarried dependent children under age 22, including legally adopted children and children born out of wedlock.
Stepchildren and foster children (including grandchildren,
if they qualify as foster children) are included if they live
with the employee or annuitant in a regular parent-child relationship.
Also, an unmarried dependent child age 22 or over who is incapable of
self support because of a mental or physical incapacity which
existed before age 22 may qualify for coverage under certain conditions.
You cannot cover other relatives, such as your mother,
even if they are otherwise considered your dependents.
Can I cover my common-law spouse under my self-and-family enrollment?
Yes, if the State in which you reside recognizes
common-law spouses.
Can the gay, lesbian or bisexual employee cover their domestic partners under the FEHB?
No, domestic partners are not recognized as spouses,
and are, thus, not eligible.
Is there anything that the gay, lesbian or bisexual employee can do to encourage the Federal Government to allow domestic partner coverage for Health Benefits purposes.
Yes, Rep. Barney Frank, D, Massachusettes, co-sponsored
a Bill to entitle domestic partners of Federal employees to benefits
available to spouses of Federal employees. This Bill is
H.R. 2761.
Federal GLOBE feels that the GLBT
community should actively encourage passage of this Bill. For
specific information about the Bill and to see what you can do,
please refer to
Federal GLOBE Legislative Fact Sheet #1.
If States begin to pass legislation allowing "same-sex"
marraige, and GLBT Federal employees are subsequently able to
marry, will the GLBT employee be able to cover their spouses under
the FEHB Program.
No, Public Law: 104-199 (09/21/96), "The Defense of Marraige Act" specifically
defines 'marriage' and 'spouse' for the purpose of Federal legislation
and benefits. The word 'marriage' means only a legal union between
one man and one woman as husband and wife. The word 'spouse'
refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or
a wife.