Federal employees covered by a spouse's private health insurance plan would get immediate coverage under the government's insurance program if the spouse, for any reason, loses employment and workplace benefits, according to proposed rules changes published today in the Federal Register. Under the Office of Personnel Management proposal, the rule change affecting spouses has the potential to benefit, among others, the federal employee whose spouse becomes unemployed due to private-sector downsizing. By opening the program to federal workers who lose health-care coverage under a spouse's private plan, we have accomplished this goal.
Current rules require a change in marital status before permitting new enrollments.
In addition, the proposed rules unveil a user-friendly feature. OPM will improve the readability and presentation of regulations in printed materials, making it easier for employees and agency benefits officers alike to understand and locate needed information. OPM also will standardize, to the fullest extent possible, the effective dates of new health plan enrollments or option changes. This, I believe, has been remedied. OPM will more clearly and more concisely communicate benefits and other program details so that enrollees can better understand the system that provides health care to them and their families.