Ensuring FEDVIP and FLTCIP Coverage During Shutdowns Act

To amend title 5, United States Code, to continue supplemental dental and vision benefits and long-term care insurance coverage for Federal employees affected by a Government shutdown, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ensuring FEDVIP and FLTCIP Coverage During Shutdowns Act 2. Continuing supplemental dental and vision benefits and long-term care insurance coverage during a Government shutdown (a) In general Title 5, United States Code, is amended— (1) in section 8956, by adding at the end the following: (d) Coverage under a dental benefits plan under this chapter for any employee enrolled in such a plan and who, as a result of a lapse in appropriations, is furloughed or excepted from furlough and working without pay shall continue during such lapse and may not be cancelled as a result of nonpayment of premiums or other periodic charges due to such lapse. ; (2) in section 8986, by adding at the end the following: (d) Coverage under a vision benefits plan under this chapter for any employee enrolled in such a plan and who, as a result of a lapse in appropriations, is furloughed or excepted from furlough and working without pay shall continue during such lapse and may not be cancelled as a result of nonpayment of premiums or other periodic charges due to such lapse. ; and (3) in section 9003, by adding at the end the following: (e) Effect of Government shutdown Coverage under a master contract under this chapter for long-term care insurance for an employee or member of the uniformed services enrolled under such contract and who, due to a lapse in appropriations, is furloughed or excepted from furlough and working without pay shall continue during such lapse and may not be cancelled as a result of nonpayment of premiums or other periodic charges due to such lapse. . (b) Regulations The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe regulations under which premiums for supplemental dental, supplemental vision, or long-term care insurance under chapter 89A, 89B, or 90 (respectively) of title 5, United States Code, (as amended by subsection (a)) that are unpaid by an employee or member of the uniformed services (as the case may be), as a result of that employee or member being furloughed or excepted from furlough and working without pay as a result of a lapse in appropriations, are paid to the applicable carrier from back pay made available to the employee or member as soon as practicable upon the end of such lapse. (c) Application The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to any contract for supplemental dental, supplemental vision, or long-term care insurance under chapter 89A, 89B, or 90 (respectively) of title 5, United States Code, entered into before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Ensuring FEDVIP and FLTCIP Coverage During Shutdowns Act This bill prohibits the termination of federal-employee dental, vision, and long-term-care insurance coverage as a result of unpaid premiums or other periodic charges in the event of a lapse in appropriations that results in an employee being furloughed or an excepted employee working without pay. This includes supplemental dental, vision, and long-term-care insurance policies.