FEHB Election Effective Dates to Remain the Same

The Office of Personnel Management has told agencies that contrary to its earlier indications, the effective date of employee elections for the Federal Employees Health Benefits program will not change in plan year 2003. Earlier, OPM had said it intended to make elections by actively employed enrollees from the first pay period beginning in January to January 1, a change that would have required changes in agency payroll systems. OPM said it would issue further guidance as soon as a decision is made about when the effective date change will occur.