JANUARY 28, 2015, JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) – Some temporary, seasonal and intermittent employees are now eligible for coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program (FEHB), said Office of Personnel Management officials.
Temporary, seasonal or intermittent employees who anticipate working 130 or more hours per month for 90 consecutive days are now eligible to receive the same coverage and government contribution to premiums as full-time employees.
“This expansion of coverage furthers the goal of ensuring that all full-time employees are eligible to enroll in FEHB,” said Erica Cathro, an AFPC Human Resources specialist. “This change provides newly eligible employees a way to attain minimum essential coverage, which will also satisfy the Affordable Care Act individual shared responsibility requirement.”
Newly eligible employees can enroll within 60 days of being notified of eligibility by the Benefits and Entitlements Service Team (BEST). Newly hired temporary, seasonal and intermittent employees who are eligible will also have a 60-day window to enroll. Coverage is effective the first day of the pay period after the employee makes his or her enrollment election.
Once employees are eligible for FEHB they will also be eligible to apply for coverage under the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP). For more information about FLTCIP visit www.ltcfeds.com.
Air Force Personnel Center staffing specialists will ensure eligible employees hired for these types of appointments are aware of the benefit option at the time of hire, based on the work schedule information their selecting official provides. BEST representatives have identified and notified all affected employees who were already onboard. Supervisor certification of hours is required for enrollment in FEHB. Employees who believe they are eligible for FEHB who have not been formally notified should consult their supervisor.
For more information about this and other personnel issues, visit the myPers website. For FEHB eligibility and enrollment information, select “Search All Components” from the drop down menu and enter “28434” in the search window. Air Force retirees who do not have a myPers account can find instructions to create an account at www.retirees.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120510-068.pdf.
