Civil Service

Retirement

System

Federal Employees’

Group Life

Insurance Program

Federal Employees

Health Benefits

Program

Federal Employees

Retirement

System

Long Term

Care Insurance

Program

United States

Office of 

Personnel Management

The Federal Government’s Human Resources Agency

Retirement and Insurance Service

Benefits Administration Letter

 

Number: 01-218 Date: September 25, 2001

Subject: Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Opportunity for 

Certain Enrollees of Aetna US Healthcare Inc., Enrollment Codes 7J and 

RD to Change Enrollment

Effective October 31, 2001, Aetna U. S. Healthcare will not renew certain provider contracts 

in the Columbus, Ohio area causing a significant reduction to the participating provider 

network. Some providers will not be available to federal members after October 1, 2001. 

We are authorizing an opportunity for certain Aetna (enrollment codes 7J, RD) enrollees to 

change their enrollment to another participating plan. Only enrollees who live, work, or 

receive care in the following counties are eligible to change: Coshocton, Madison, Ross or 

Logan.

The opportunity to change enrollment will begin immediately and continue through October 31, 

2001. The effective date of all enrollment changes will be the first day of the pay period 

following the one in which an enrollee makes the change, but no later than October 31, 2001. 

Enrollees who do not change plans must travel to the Plan’s remaining service area to 

obtain benefits under the FEHB Program for the remainder of contract year 2001.

The Plan will send a letter to enrollees notifying them of this opportunity to change enrollment.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Abby L. Block, 

Assistant Director 

 for Insurance Programs

Attachment
2

United States

Office of

Personnel Management Washington, D.C. 20415

 Reply Refer To: Your Reference:

Date: August 21, 2001

TO FEDERAL ENROLLEES OF AETNA U.S. HEALTHCARE, INC. WHO LIVE OR WORK OR 

RECEIVE CARE IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OHIO COUNTIES: COSHOCTON, MADISON, 

ROSS AND LOGAN

The Office of Personnel Management asked Aetna U.S. Healthcare, Inc. to mail this important notice to you. 

Aetna U. S. Healthcare has been unsuccessful in renewing certain provider contracts in the Columbus, Ohio area 

causing a significant reduction to the participating provider network. We are authorizing an opportunity for enrollees 

in codes 7J or RD who live or work or receive healthcare services in Coshocton, Madison, Ross or Logan counties 

to choose another health plan under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. You must change 

your enrollment to another participating health plan to receive benefits. If you do not change, you must 

travel to the remaining service area to obtain Aetna benefits under the FEHB Program for the remainder 

of contract year 2001. 

A special open enrollment period is effective immediately and continues through October 31, 2001. Please contact 

your personnel office to obtain a 2001 Guide to Federal Employees Health Benefits Plans. You may request 

brochures directly from the health plans at the phone numbers appearing in the Guide. You may also visit our 2001 

FEHB web site (www.opm.gov/insure) to view a plan’s brochure or the FEHB Guide to help you choose a health 

plan and learn about your transitional care rights. 

 IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYEE

Please take a copy of this letter to your personnel office and complete a new Health Benefits Registration Form (SF 

2809). The effective date of all enrollment changes will be the first day of the pay period following the one in which 

you make the change, but no later than October 31, 2001.

 IF YOU ARE AN ANNUITANT

Annuitants under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), 

should call toll free at 1-888-767-6738 between Monday through Friday from 7:30 am – 7:30 pm E.S.T to 

make their enrollment changes. Please have your CSRS or FERS annuity claim number and your social security 

number when calling our toll-free number. If you do not make a new election, you may remain in your plan through 

contract year 2001; however, you must travel to the remaining service area to obtain Aetna benefits under 

the FEHB Program for the remainder of contract year 2001. If you are an annuitant of another Federal 

retirement system, you must contact that system for assistance. 

We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your cooperation, in this matter.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Office of Insurance Program