‘‘(b) The Office shall make available to each indi-
vidual eligible to enroll in a vision benefits plan, informa-
tion on services and benefits provided by qualified compa-
nies participating under chapter 89. 
‘‘§ 8986. Election of coverage 
‘‘(a) An eligible individual may enroll in a vision bene-
fits plan for self-only, self plus one, or for self and family. 
If an eligible individual has a spouse who is also eligible 
to enroll, either spouse, but not both, may enroll for self 
plus one or self and family. An individual may not be en-
rolled both as an employee, annuitant, or other individual 
eligible to enroll and as a member of the family. 
‘‘(b) The Office shall prescribe regulations under 
which— 
‘‘(1) an eligible individual may enroll in a vision 
benefits plan; and 
‘‘(2) an enrolled individual may change the self- 
only, self plus one, or self and family coverage of 
that individual. 
‘‘(c)(1) Regulations under subsection (b) shall permit 
an eligible individual to cancel or transfer the enrollment 
of that individual to another vision benefits plan— 
‘‘(A) before the start of any contract term in 
which there is a change in rates charged or benefits
provided, in which a new plan is offered, or in which 
an existing plan is terminated; or 
‘‘(B) during other times and under other cir-
cumstances specified by the Office. 
‘‘(2) A transfer under paragraph (1) shall be subject 
to waiting periods provided under a new plan. 
‘‘§ 8987. Coverage of restored survivor or disability 
annuitants 
‘‘A surviving spouse, disability annuitant, or sur-
viving child whose annuity is terminated and is later re-
stored, may continue enrollment in a vision benefits plan 
subject to the terms and conditions prescribed in regula-
tions issued by the Office. 
‘‘§ 8988. Premiums 
‘‘(a) Each eligible individual obtaining supplemental 
vision coverage under this chapter shall be responsible for 
100 percent of the premiums for such coverage. 
‘‘(b) The Office shall prescribe regulations specifying 
the terms and conditions under which individuals are re-
quired to pay the premiums for enrollment. 
‘‘(c) The amount necessary to pay the premiums for 
enrollment may— 
‘‘(1) in the case of an employee, be withheld 
from the pay of such an employee; or
‘‘(2) in the case of an annuitant, be withheld 
from the annuity of such an annuitant. 
‘‘(d) All amounts withheld under this section shall be 
paid directly to the qualified company. 
‘‘(e) Each participating qualified company shall 
maintain accounting records that contain such informa-
tion and reports as the Office may require. 
‘‘(f)(1) The Employee Health Benefits Fund is avail-
able, without fiscal year limitation, for reasonable ex-
penses incurred by the Office in administering this chapter 
before the first day of the first contract period, including 
reasonable implementation costs. 
‘‘(2)(A) There is established in the Employees Health 
Benefits Fund a Vision Benefits Administrative Account, 
which shall be available to the Office, without fiscal year 
limitation, to defray reasonable expenses incurred by the 
Office in administering this chapter after the start of the 
first contract year. 
‘‘(B) A contract under this chapter shall include ap-
propriate provisions under which the qualified company in-
volved shall, during each year, make such periodic con-
tributions to the Vision Benefits Administrative Account 
as necessary to ensure that the reasonable anticipated ex-
penses of the Office in administering this chapter during 
such year are defrayed.
‘‘§ 8989. Preemption 
‘‘The terms of any contract that relate to the nature, 
provision, or extent of coverage or benefits (including pay-
ments with respect to benefits) shall supersede and pre-
empt any State or local law, or any regulation issued 
thereunder, which relates to vision benefits, insurance, 
plans, or contracts. 
‘‘§ 8990. Studies, reports, and audits 
‘‘(a) Each contract shall contain provisions requiring 
the qualified company to— 
‘‘(1) furnish such reasonable reports as the Of-
fice determines to be necessary to enable it to carry 
out its functions under this chapter; and 
‘‘(2) permit the Office and representatives of 
the General Accounting Office to examine such 
records of the qualified company as may be nec-
essary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. 
‘‘(b) Each Federal agency shall keep such records, 
make such certifications, and furnish the Office, the quali-
fied company, or both, with such information and reports 
as the Office may require. 
‘‘(c) The Office shall conduct periodic reviews of 
plans under this chapter, including a comparison of the 
vision benefits available under chapter 89, to ensure the 
competitiveness of plans under this chapter. The Office