Tricare for Life Rules Finalized

The Office of Personnel Management has published final rules on the relationship between the Federal Employees Health Benefits program and the Tricare, Tricare for Life and CHAMPVA programs for certain FEHB participants eligible for coverage under those programs either personally or as a family member. Tricare is the medical system for active duty military personnel and certain family members, Tricare for Life provides coverage to Medicare-eligible uniformed services retirees, their survivors and eligible dependents, and CHAMPVA provides medical coverage to certain persons eligible for veterans benefits. In many cases enrolling in those programs if eligible would be financially advantageous over keeping FEHB coverage. The rule, published in the June 18 Federal Register, allows FEHB-eligible annuitants, survivors and former spouses to suspend their FEHB coverage to enroll in one of those programs if eligible.