The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced that the new option of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) will be available for the 2015 Open Season effective in the 2016 plan year. Since the inception of FEHB, there have only been two options – Family and Self. Now that dynamic is finally changing to better serve the federal workforce population.
Family coverage is designed to cover all eligible family members including adult children up to age 26. Self was an individual coverage with provisions for one person only. Now with an additional option, Self Plus One is there to cover those families that are either new families just beginning or families with empty nests. Self Plus One covers an eligible spouse or child designated by the plan participant.
Federal workers have longed grappled over why they had to continue paying a family premium for coverage when their family had decreased; the children were grown and on their own leaving only Mom and Dad in need of coverage. There is also the situation where employees are newly married with no children who would also benefit from Self Plus One.
It is exciting to see OPM move with the changing needs of the Federal workforce. There are many costs that continue to rise and are outside of the control of OPM and the Federal government. However, giving federal workers different options that will save money and create a level of comfort and security is a gigantic step in the right direction.
Although the open comment period does not end until February 2, 2015, the proposed change announced by OPM on December 5, 2014, will probably not encounter any set-backs. It is truly a concept whose time has come.
P.S. Always Remember To Share What You Know.
Dianna Tafazoli
