OPM Clarifies FEHB Children’s Coverage Issue

OPM has sent guidance to FEHB carriers regarding a rules change that was effective as of this year affecting eligibility for children’s coverage in the program. Under those rules, children of same-sex domestic partners (although not the partners themselves) are eligible for family coverage under standard children’s eligibility policies, including for stepchildren, if the couple is living in a state that does not recognize same-sex marriage and the enrollee certifies that he or she would marry the partner if living in a state that does. The guidance specifies, for example, that same-sex couples living in a state that does recognize those marriages must marry in order to have children covered.