OPM Previews Self Plus One Policies

OPM has issued proposed rules on the self plus one option that is to be available in FEHB starting in the 2016 plan year, indicating that the policies in many ways will mirror those for family enrollment. As indicated earlier, the additional person would have to be someone who would be eligible under current family coveragerules. The options for enrolling or changing coverage during open seasons and due to certain life events will apply under the same terms as for family coverage; one twist for self plus one will be that during those opportunities, the additional person could be changed. OPM said that adding self plus one “will align the FEHB program with the commercial market” although among many private employers with such options domestic partners are eligible for coverage. The rules were published in today’s (December 3) Federal Register for comment. Next year’s open season is to be the first opportunity to elect self plus one in FEHB; the FEDVIP program has had a self plus one feature since its inception eight years ago.