83_FR_3074 83 FR 3059 - Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Removal of Eligible and Ineligible Individuals From Existing Enrollments

83 FR 3059 - Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Removal of Eligible and Ineligible Individuals From Existing Enrollments

OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 15 (January 23, 2018)

Page Range3059-3062
FR Document2018-01174

The United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a final rule amending Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program regulations to provide a process for removal of certain identified individuals who are found not to be eligible as family members from FEHB enrollments. This process would apply to individuals for whom there is a failure to provide adequate documentation of eligibility when requested. This action also amends Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program regulations to allow certain eligible family members to be removed from existing self and family or self plus one enrollments.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 15 (Tuesday, January 23, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 23, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3059-3062]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01174]



========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 23, 2018 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 3059]]



OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

5 CFR Part 890

RIN 3206-AN09


Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: Removal of Eligible 
and Ineligible Individuals From Existing Enrollments

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is 
issuing a final rule amending Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) 
Program regulations to provide a process for removal of certain 
identified individuals who are found not to be eligible as family 
members from FEHB enrollments. This process would apply to individuals 
for whom there is a failure to provide adequate documentation of 
eligibility when requested. This action also amends Federal Employees 
Health Benefits (FEHB) Program regulations to allow certain eligible 
family members to be removed from existing self and family or self plus 
one enrollments.

DATES: This rule is effective February 22, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marguerite Martel at 
marguerite.martel@opm.gov or (202) 606-0004.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program is 
administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in accordance 
with Title 5, Chapter 89 of the United States Code and our implementing 
regulations at title 5, part 890 of the Code of Federal Regulations. 
The statute establishes the basic rules for benefits, enrollment, and 
participation. OPM contracts with health benefits plans to provide 
coverage under the statute. OPM is authorized to prescribe regulations 
to govern the time, manner and conditions under which an employee can 
enroll in a health benefits plan under the FEHB Program and the 
beginning and end dates of coverage for annuitants and family members.

I. Background

    The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program provides 
health insurance to about 8.2 million Federal employees, retirees, and 
their dependents each year. It is the largest employer-sponsored health 
insurance program in the country providing more than $53 billion in 
health care benefits annually. Coverage options available to eligible 
individuals include self only, self plus one or self and family 
coverage in an approved health benefits plan. Eligible family members 
include the spouse of an employee or annuitant and a child under 26 
years of age, including adopted children, stepchildren or foster 
children or a child regardless of age who is incapable of self-support 
because of mental or physical disability which existed before age 26.
    On December 1, 2016, OPM published a proposed rule (81 FR 86902) to 
1) provide that proof of family member eligibility may be required for 
coverage under an FEHB Program self plus one or self and family 
enrollment and 2) to establish the circumstances under which 
individuals covered under an existing self plus one or self and family 
FEHB enrollment will be removed from such enrollment and the processes 
for removal, where the enrollee does not provide adequate documentation 
of eligibility. Previously, under 5 CFR 890.302, all eligible family 
members are covered under a self and family enrollment. The regulations 
did not address the removal of an erroneously-covered ineligible 
individual from an existing self plus one or self and family 
enrollment.
    On the same date, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 
published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) (81 FR 86898) allowing 
certain eligible family members to be removed from self plus one and 
self and family enrollments in limited circumstances. This would change 
the current provision at 5 CFR 890.302, which provides that all family 
members that are eligible according to the FEHB Act (5 U.S.C. 8901) are 
automatically covered under a self and family enrollment.
    This regulation merges and finalizes these two proposed 
regulations. The proposed regulations were published separately, but 
have now been merged for regulatory efficiency as both proposed 
regulations address title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, Sec. Sec.  
890.302, Coverage of Family Members, and 890.308, Disenrollment.
    Both proposed regulations had 60-day comment periods. The 
regulations concerning ineligible family members received four 
comments: One from an interested citizen, one from an agency HR 
employee and one from a trade group representing FEHB Program plans 
with one duplicate comment. Two of the comments were supportive of the 
proposed rule and none objected to the proposed regulation. The 
proposed rule concerning eligible family members received three 
comments: one from an interested citizen, one from an agency HR 
employee and one from a trade group representing FEHB Program plans. 
Two of the comments were supportive of the proposed rules and none 
objected to the change in policy.

II. Responses to Comments

Ineligible Family Member Regulation

    One commenter requested that OPM specify whether a submission of a 
reconsideration request delays the effective date of the initial 
removal. The provisions added in Sec.  890.308(e) and (f) mirror the 
processes outlined in Sec.  890.308(a) for disenrollment of employees. 
That provision does not provide a delayed effective date for 
reconsideration and so we are not adding one to this section. If an 
enrollee or the removed individual seeks reconsideration and the agency 
or OPM finds the family member to be eligible, the family member will 
receive retroactive coverage.
    One commenter asked whether OPM is now requesting that agencies to 
track family members. This regulation does not require agencies to 
track family members, but forthcoming sub-regulatory guidance may 
require agencies to collect proof of eligibility in certain 
circumstances. The regulations amend Sec.  890.302 to provide that 
proof of family member eligibility must be provided upon request by a 
carrier, employing office, or OPM.

[[Page 3060]]

    Two commenters asked how an FEHB Program carrier would be aware of 
an initial determination of ineligibility under proposed Sec.  
890.308(f)(1) and requested further guidance on all required methods of 
notification to FEHB Program carriers. Section 890.308(f)(1) states 
that the employing office or OPM, as applicable, will direct the 
carrier to remove the individual if proof of eligibility is not 
provided by the enrollee. OPM will publish a Benefits Administration 
Letter (available at https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/reference-materials/#url=BALs) and a Carrier Letter 
(available at https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/carriers/#url=Carrier-Letters) following the publication of this 
regulation to carriers and to agencies providing a specific process to 
notify carriers and/or employing offices of any coverage changes 
effectuated under this regulation. One commenter further added that the 
carrier should receive the reasoning behind the removal of the 
individual. Accordingly, the final rule provides that the employing 
office or OPM shall provide a copy of the letter sent to the enrollee 
concerning removal under Sec.  890.308(f)(1) to the carrier.
    One commenter suggested that OPM add an effective date for a 
removal under Sec.  890.308(f)(3) and (e)(3) where fraud or intentional 
misrepresentation are found. OPM has updated the final regulation to 
specify that if fraud or intentional misrepresentation of material fact 
is found, the effective date of the removal is the date of loss of 
eligibility.
    One commenter suggested that OPM add examples to Sec.  890.308(g) 
to clarify how temporary continuation of coverage (TCC), conversion and 
extension of coverage rules will operate under the regulations. An 
example has been added to clarify that an individual will not be 
eligible to receive TCC, conversion or an extension of coverage unless 
the removal is effectuated within the time limit currently required 
under existing regulations.

Removal of Eligible Family Members From Existing Enrollment Regulation

    One commenter asked who will be responsible for collecting 
documentation and determining proof of eligibility status and whether 
that information will need to be forwarded to FEHB Program carriers. 
The proposed rule provided and the final rule maintains that employing 
offices will be responsible for collecting documentation and 
determining proof of eligibility status and that the information will 
be sent to FEHB Program carriers. Two commenters asked that OPM specify 
how this information should be provided to carriers and how it should 
be maintained and tracked. OPM plans to publish a Benefits 
Administration Letter and a Carrier Letter to employing offices and 
FEHB Program carriers following the publication of this regulation 
including a process for agencies to inform carriers of changes in 
covered family members and documentation that needs to be collected to 
effectuate a change.
    One commenter requested that OPM change the proposed effective date 
of removals. The proposed rule makes the removal effective on the first 
day of the pay period following a notarized request received from the 
family member at issue and on the first day of the second pay period 
following a request to remove a child received from the enrollee. The 
commenter requested that the effective date be the first day of the 
third pay period for enrollees who pay premiums bi-weekly and the 
second pay period for enrollees who pay premiums monthly as the 
effective date for either type of family member removal. OPM agrees 
that this avoids unnecessary benefit overpayments and ensures that a 
family member has sufficient time to obtain replacement health benefits 
coverage. The final rule makes this change.
    We have also made minor, non-substantive editorial changes to the 
regulation for editorial consistency and to improve clarity. In 
addition, we have updated the regulation to clarify that either the 
enrollee or the removed individual can provide proof of eligibility or 
request reconsideration of the initial decision.

Expected Impact of Changes Based on the Rule

    The FEHB Program currently has a total of 262 health plan options 
for employees to choose from for their health benefits coverage. 
Historically, about 18,000 of FEHB participants switch health care 
plans in any given year. There are approximately 4 million family 
members covered under FEHB Program. While this rule may lower costs to 
the FEHB Program by reducing the number of eligible and ineligible 
family members, OPM does not have data available to calculate specific 
rates. However, OPM has found anecdotal evidence which estimates 
between 1-3 percent of spouses and 4-12 percent of children in 
commercial health plans are ineligible for coverage. So, we anticipate 
this rule will not have widespread applicability across the Program.

Executive Order Requirements

    Executive Orders 13563 and 12866 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive 
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting 
flexibility. This rule has been designated a ``significant regulatory 
action,'' under Executive Order 12866.
    This final rule is not subject to the requirements of E.O. 13771 
(82 FR 9339, February 3, 2017) because it is related to agency 
organization, management, or personnel.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    I certify that this regulation will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Federalism

    We have examined this rule in accordance with Executive Order 
13132, Federalism, and have determined that this rule will not have any 
negative impact on the rights, roles, and responsibilities of State, 
local, or Tribal governments.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35; see 5 
CFR part 1320) requires that the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) approve all collections of information by a Federal agency from 
the public before they can be implemented. Respondents are not required 
to respond to any collection of information unless it displays a 
current valid OMB control number. OPM is not proposing any additional 
collections in this rule. This rule involves an OMB approved collection 
of information subject to the PRA--OMB No. 3206-0160, Health Benefits 
Election Form. The public reporting burden for this collection is 
estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. The total burden hour estimate for this form 
is 9,000 hours. The systems of record notice for this collection is: 
OPM/Central 1 Civil Service Retirement and Insurance Records, available 
at https://www.opm.gov/information-management/privacy-policy/sorn/opm-

[[Page 3061]]

sorn-central-1-civil-service-retirement-and-insurance-records.pdf.

List of Subjects on 5 CFR Part 890

    Administrative practice and procedure, Government employees, Health 
insurance.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Kathleen M. McGettigan,
Acting Director.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, OPM amends 5 CFR part 
890 as follows:

PART 890--FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM

0
1. The authority citation for part 890 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 8913; Sec. 890.301 also issued under sec. 
311 of Pub. L. 111-03, 123 Stat. 64; Sec. 890.111 also issued under 
section 1622(b) of Pub. L. 104-106, 110 Stat. 521; Sec. 890.112 also 
issued under section 1 of Pub. L. 110-279, 122 Stat. 2604; 5 U.S.C. 
8913; Sec. 890.803 also issued under 50 U.S.C. 403p, 22 U.S.C. 4069c 
and 4069c-1; subpart L also issued under sec. 599C of 101, 104 Stat. 
2064, as amended; Sec. 890.102 also issued under sections 11202(f), 
11232(e), 11246(b) and (c) of Pub. L. 105-33, 111 Stat. 251; and 
section 721 of Pub. L. 105-261, 112 Stat. 2061; Pub. L. 111-148, as 
amended by Pub. L. 111-152.


0
2. Revise Sec.  890.302(a)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  890.302  Coverage of family members.

    (a)(1) Enrollment. An enrollment for self plus one includes the 
enrollee and one eligible family member. An enrollment for self and 
family includes all family members who are eligible to be covered by 
the enrollment except as provided in Sec.  890.308(h). Proof of family 
member eligibility may be required, and must be provided upon request, 
to the carrier, the employing office or OPM. Except as provided in 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section, no employee, former employee, 
annuitant, child, or former spouse may enroll or be covered as a family 
member if he or she is already covered under another person's self plus 
one or self and family enrollment in the FEHB Program.
* * * * *

0
3. Amend Sec.  890.308 by:
0
a. Revising the section heading;
0
b. Adding headings to paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d); and
0
c. Adding paragraphs (e), (f), (g), and (h).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  890.308  Disenrollment and removal from enrollment.

    (a) Carrier disenrollment: Enrollment reconciliation. ***
    (b) Carrier disenrollment: Death of enrollee. ***
    (c) Carrier disenrollment: Child survivor annuitant. ***
    (d) Carrier disenrollment: Separation from Federal employment. ***
    (e) Carrier removal from enrollment: Ineligible individuals. (1) A 
carrier may request verification of eligibility from the enrollee at 
any time of an individual who is covered as a family member of the 
enrollee in accordance with Sec.  890.302. To verify eligibility, the 
carrier shall send the enrollee a request for appropriate documentation 
of the individual's relationship to the enrollee with a copy to the 
enrollee's employing office of record. The request shall contain a 
written notice that the individual will no longer be covered 60 
calendar days after the date of the notice unless the enrollee or the 
employing office provides appropriate documentation as requested. If 
the carrier does not receive the requested documentation within the 
specified time frame or if based on the documentation provided the 
individual is found not to be eligible, the carrier shall remove the 
individual from the enrollment and shall provide written notice of 
removal to the enrollee, with a copy to the employing office, including 
an explanation of the process for seeking reconsideration. The carrier 
may extend the time limit to provide appropriate documentation if the 
enrollee or the removed individual shows to the carrier that he or she 
was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from providing 
timely documentation.
    (2) Appropriate documentation includes, but is not limited to, 
copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, and, if 
applicable, other proof including that the individual lives with the 
enrollee and the enrollee is the individual's primary source of 
financial support.
    (3) The effective date of a removal shall be prospective unless the 
record shows that the enrollee or the removed individual has committed 
fraud or made an intentional misrepresentation of material fact as 
prohibited by the terms of the plan. If fraud or intentional 
misrepresentation of material fact is found, the effective date of the 
removal is the date of loss of eligibility.
    (4) A request for reconsideration of the carrier's initial decision 
must be filed by the enrollee or the removed individual with the 
enrollee's employing office within 60 calendar days after the date of 
the carrier's initial decision. The employing office must notify the 
carrier when a request for reconsideration of the decision to remove 
the individual from the enrollment is made. The time limit for filing 
may be extended if the enrollee or the removed shows that he or she was 
not notified of the time limit and was not otherwise aware of it, or 
that he or she was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control 
from making the request within the time limit. The request for 
reconsideration must be made in writing and must include the enrollee's 
name, address, Social Security Number or other personal identification 
number, individual's name, the name of the enrollee's carrier, 
reason(s) for the request, and, if applicable, the enrollee's 
retirement claim number.
    (5) The employing office must issue a written notice of its final 
decision to the enrollee, and notify the carrier of the decision, 
within 30 days of receipt of the request for reconsideration. The 
notice must fully set forth the findings and conclusions on which the 
decision was based.
    (6) If an enrollee or the removed individual provides acceptable 
proof of eligibility of an individual subsequent to removal, coverage 
under the enrollment shall be reinstated retroactively so that there is 
no gap in coverage, as appropriate.
    (f) Employing office and OPM removal from enrollment: Ineligible 
individuals. (1) An enrollee's employing office or OPM may request 
verification of eligibility from the enrollee at any time of an 
individual who is covered as a family member of the enrollee in 
accordance with Sec.  890.302. To verify eligibility, the employing 
office or OPM shall send the enrollee a request for appropriate 
documentation of the individual's relationship to the enrollee. The 
request shall contain a written notice that the individual will no 
longer be covered 60 calendar days after the date of the notice unless 
the enrollee provides appropriate documentation as requested. If the 
employing office or OPM, as applicable, does not receive the requested 
documentation within the specified time frame or if based on the 
documentation provided the individual is found not to be eligible, the 
employing office or OPM, as applicable, shall direct the carrier to 
remove the individual from the enrollment and the employing office or 
OPM, as applicable, shall provide written notice of the removal to the 
enrollee, with a copy to the carrier, including an explanation of the 
process for seeking reconsideration. The time limit to provide 
appropriate documentation may be extended if the enrollee or the 
removed individual shows to the employing office or OPM, as 
appropriate, that he or she was

[[Page 3062]]

prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from providing 
timely documentation.
    (2) Appropriate documentation includes, but is not limited to, 
copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, and, if 
applicable, other proof including that the individual lives with the 
enrollee and that the enrollee is the individual's primary source of 
financial support.
    (3) The effective date of the removal shall be prospective unless 
the record shows that the enrollee or the removed individual has 
committed fraud or made an intentional misrepresentation of material 
fact as prohibited by the terms of the plan. If fraud or intentional 
misrepresentation of material fact is found, the effective date of the 
removal is the date of loss of eligibility.
    (4) The enrollee or the removed individual may request 
reconsideration of an employing office or OPM's decision to remove the 
individual from the enrollment within 60 days of an employing office or 
OPM's initial decision. The enrollee or the removed individual may 
request reconsideration of an employing office decision to the 
employing office or an OPM decision to OPM. The employing office or 
OPM, as applicable, must notify the carrier when a request for 
reconsideration of the decision to remove the individual from the 
enrollment is made. The time limit for filing may be extended if the 
enrollee or the removed individual shows that he or she was not 
notified of the time limit and was not otherwise aware of it, or that 
he or she was prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from 
making the request within the time limit. The request for 
reconsideration must be made in writing and must include the enrollee's 
name, address, Social Security Number or other personal identification 
number, the individual's name, the name of the enrollee's carrier, 
reason(s) for the request, and, if applicable, the enrollee's 
retirement claim number.
    (5) The employing office or OPM, as applicable, must issue a 
written notice of its final decision to the enrollee, and notify the 
carrier of the decision within 30 days of receipt of the request for 
reconsideration. The notice must fully set forth the findings and 
conclusions on which the decision was based.
    (6) If an enrollee or the removed individual provides acceptable 
proof of eligibility of an individual subsequent to removal, coverage 
under the enrollment shall be reinstated retroactively so that there is 
no gap in coverage, as appropriate.
    (g) Temporary extension of coverage, conversion and/or temporary 
continuation of coverage. If an individual is removed from an 
enrollment pursuant to paragraph (e) or (f) of this section, the 
individual may be eligible for a 31-day temporary extension of 
coverage, conversion and/or temporary continuation of coverage in 
accordance with Sec.  890.401 and subparts H and K of this part. Any 
opportunity to enroll under Sec.  890.401 and subparts H and K shall 
not extend beyond the date that opportunity would have ended if the 
individual had been removed on the date of loss of eligibility.
    (1) Example. An enrollee and his spouse divorce on May 4, 2017. The 
enrollee does not remove the former spouse from the enrollee's self and 
family enrollment, so the former spouse is receiving coverage but is 
not eligible. In this example, the former spouse is not eligible to 
receive an annuity listed in Sec.  890.805(2). If the employing office 
later discovers the divorce, and removes the spouse from the enrollment 
on June 20, 2018, the former spouse is not eligible for a 31-day 
extension of coverage, conversion and/or temporary continuation of 
coverage because the regulatory window for election of 60 days outlined 
in Sec.  890.805(1) has passed. The sixty-day window began on the final 
date of the divorce, May 4, 2017 and ended on July 3, 2017.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (h) Removal from enrollment: Eligible family members. (1) An 
eligible family member may be removed from a self plus one or a self 
and family enrollment if a request is submitted to the enrollee's 
employing office for approval at any time during the plan year in the 
following circumstances:
    (i) In the case of a spouse, if the enrollee and his or her spouse 
provide a notarized request for removal.
    (ii) In the case of a child who has reached the age of majority in 
the child's state of residence (the enrollee's state of residence if 
the child's is not known), if the enrollee provides proof that the 
child is no longer his or her dependent as described under Sec.  
890.302(b). The enrollee shall also provide the last known contact 
information for the child.
    (iii) In the case of a child who has reached the age of majority in 
the child's state of residence, if the child provides a notarized 
request for removal to the employing office.
    (2) For removals under paragraph (h)(1) of this section the 
effective date is the first day of the third pay period following the 
date the request is approved by the employing office for employees who 
pay bi-weekly and the second pay period following the date that the 
request is approved by the employing office for enrollees who pay 
premiums monthly.
    (3) The family member's removal under this paragraph (h) is 
considered a cancellation under Sec.  890.304(d) and removed family 
members are not eligible for temporary extension of coverage and 
conversion under Sec.  890.401 or temporary continuation of coverage 
under Sec.  809.1103.
    (4) If an eligible family member is removed under this paragraph 
(h), he or she may only regain coverage under the applicable self plus 
one or self and family enrollment if requested by the enrollee during 
the annual open season or within 60 days of the family member losing 
other health insurance coverage. The enrollee must also provide written 
consent to reinstatement of coverage from the family member and 
demonstrate eligibility of the spouse or child as a family member to 
the employing office.
    (5) If an employing office approves a request for removal, the 
employing office must notify the enrollee and the carrier of the 
removal immediately. For removals under paragraph (h)(1)(ii) of this 
section, the employing office must also immediately notify the child of 
the removal using the last known contact provided by the enrollee.

[FR Doc. 2018-01174 Filed 1-22-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6325-63-P



                                                                                                                                                                                                 3059

                                              Rules and Regulations                                                                                          Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                             Vol. 83, No. 15

                                                                                                                                                             Tuesday, January 23, 2018



                                              This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    coverage under the statute. OPM is                     the FEHB Act (5 U.S.C. 8901) are
                                              contains regulatory documents having general            authorized to prescribe regulations to                 automatically covered under a self and
                                              applicability and legal effect, most of which           govern the time, manner and conditions                 family enrollment.
                                              are keyed to and codified in the Code of                under which an employee can enroll in                    This regulation merges and finalizes
                                              Federal Regulations, which is published under           a health benefits plan under the FEHB                  these two proposed regulations. The
                                              50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.                                                                          proposed regulations were published
                                                                                                      Program and the beginning and end
                                              The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by              dates of coverage for annuitants and                   separately, but have now been merged
                                              the Superintendent of Documents.                        family members.                                        for regulatory efficiency as both
                                                                                                                                                             proposed regulations address title 5,
                                                                                                      I. Background                                          Code of Federal Regulations, §§ 890.302,
                                              OFFICE OF PERSONNEL                                        The Federal Employees Health                        Coverage of Family Members, and
                                              MANAGEMENT                                              Benefits (FEHB) Program provides                       890.308, Disenrollment.
                                                                                                      health insurance to about 8.2 million                    Both proposed regulations had 60-day
                                              5 CFR Part 890                                          Federal employees, retirees, and their                 comment periods. The regulations
                                              RIN 3206–AN09                                           dependents each year. It is the largest                concerning ineligible family members
                                                                                                      employer-sponsored health insurance                    received four comments: One from an
                                              Federal Employees Health Benefits                       program in the country providing more                  interested citizen, one from an agency
                                              Program: Removal of Eligible and                        than $53 billion in health care benefits               HR employee and one from a trade
                                              Ineligible Individuals From Existing                    annually. Coverage options available to                group representing FEHB Program plans
                                              Enrollments                                             eligible individuals include self only,                with one duplicate comment. Two of
                                                                                                      self plus one or self and family coverage              the comments were supportive of the
                                              AGENCY:  Office of Personnel                            in an approved health benefits plan.                   proposed rule and none objected to the
                                              Management.                                             Eligible family members include the                    proposed regulation. The proposed rule
                                              ACTION: Final rule.                                     spouse of an employee or annuitant and                 concerning eligible family members
                                                                                                      a child under 26 years of age, including               received three comments: one from an
                                              SUMMARY:   The United States Office of                  adopted children, stepchildren or foster               interested citizen, one from an agency
                                              Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing                   children or a child regardless of age who              HR employee and one from a trade
                                              a final rule amending Federal                           is incapable of self-support because of                group representing FEHB Program
                                              Employees Health Benefits (FEHB)                        mental or physical disability which                    plans. Two of the comments were
                                              Program regulations to provide a                        existed before age 26.                                 supportive of the proposed rules and
                                              process for removal of certain identified                                                                      none objected to the change in policy.
                                                                                                         On December 1, 2016, OPM published
                                              individuals who are found not to be
                                                                                                      a proposed rule (81 FR 86902) to 1)                    II. Responses to Comments
                                              eligible as family members from FEHB
                                                                                                      provide that proof of family member
                                              enrollments. This process would apply                                                                          Ineligible Family Member Regulation
                                                                                                      eligibility may be required for coverage
                                              to individuals for whom there is a
                                                                                                      under an FEHB Program self plus one or                    One commenter requested that OPM
                                              failure to provide adequate
                                                                                                      self and family enrollment and 2) to                   specify whether a submission of a
                                              documentation of eligibility when
                                                                                                      establish the circumstances under                      reconsideration request delays the
                                              requested. This action also amends
                                                                                                      which individuals covered under an                     effective date of the initial removal. The
                                              Federal Employees Health Benefits
                                                                                                      existing self plus one or self and family              provisions added in § 890.308(e) and (f)
                                              (FEHB) Program regulations to allow
                                                                                                      FEHB enrollment will be removed from                   mirror the processes outlined in
                                              certain eligible family members to be
                                                                                                      such enrollment and the processes for                  § 890.308(a) for disenrollment of
                                              removed from existing self and family or
                                                                                                      removal, where the enrollee does not                   employees. That provision does not
                                              self plus one enrollments.
                                                                                                      provide adequate documentation of                      provide a delayed effective date for
                                              DATES: This rule is effective February                  eligibility. Previously, under 5 CFR                   reconsideration and so we are not
                                              22, 2018.                                               890.302, all eligible family members are               adding one to this section. If an enrollee
                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        covered under a self and family                        or the removed individual seeks
                                              Marguerite Martel at marguerite.martel@                 enrollment. The regulations did not                    reconsideration and the agency or OPM
                                              opm.gov or (202) 606–0004.                              address the removal of an erroneously-                 finds the family member to be eligible,
                                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              covered ineligible individual from an                  the family member will receive
                                                                                                      existing self plus one or self and family              retroactive coverage.
                                              Authority for This Rulemaking                           enrollment.                                               One commenter asked whether OPM
                                                 The Federal Employees Health                            On the same date, the Office of                     is now requesting that agencies to track
                                              Benefits (FEHB) Program is                              Personnel Management (OPM)                             family members. This regulation does
                                              administered by the Office of Personnel                 published a Notice of Proposed                         not require agencies to track family
                                              Management (OPM) in accordance with                     Rulemaking (NPRM) (81 FR 86898)                        members, but forthcoming sub-
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES




                                              Title 5, Chapter 89 of the United States                allowing certain eligible family                       regulatory guidance may require
                                              Code and our implementing regulations                   members to be removed from self plus                   agencies to collect proof of eligibility in
                                              at title 5, part 890 of the Code of Federal             one and self and family enrollments in                 certain circumstances. The regulations
                                              Regulations. The statute establishes the                limited circumstances. This would                      amend § 890.302 to provide that proof of
                                              basic rules for benefits, enrollment, and               change the current provision at 5 CFR                  family member eligibility must be
                                              participation. OPM contracts with                       890.302, which provides that all family                provided upon request by a carrier,
                                              health benefits plans to provide                        members that are eligible according to                 employing office, or OPM.


                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   15:56 Jan 22, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00001   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\23JAR1.SGM   23JAR1


                                              3060              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 23, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                                 Two commenters asked how an FEHB                     Program carriers. Two commenters                       Executive Order Requirements
                                              Program carrier would be aware of an                    asked that OPM specify how this                           Executive Orders 13563 and 12866
                                              initial determination of ineligibility                  information should be provided to                      direct agencies to assess all costs and
                                              under proposed § 890.308(f)(1) and                      carriers and how it should be                          benefits of available regulatory
                                              requested further guidance on all                       maintained and tracked. OPM plans to                   alternatives and, if regulation is
                                              required methods of notification to                     publish a Benefits Administration Letter               necessary, to select regulatory
                                              FEHB Program carriers. Section                          and a Carrier Letter to employing offices              approaches that maximize net benefits
                                              890.308(f)(1) states that the employing                 and FEHB Program carriers following                    (including potential economic,
                                              office or OPM, as applicable, will direct               the publication of this regulation                     environmental, public health and safety
                                              the carrier to remove the individual if                 including a process for agencies to                    effects, distributive impacts, and
                                              proof of eligibility is not provided by                 inform carriers of changes in covered                  equity). Executive Order 13563
                                              the enrollee. OPM will publish a                        family members and documentation that                  emphasizes the importance of
                                              Benefits Administration Letter                          needs to be collected to effectuate a                  quantifying both costs and benefits, of
                                              (available at https://www.opm.gov/                      change.                                                reducing costs, of harmonizing rules,
                                              healthcare-insurance/healthcare/                           One commenter requested that OPM                    and of promoting flexibility. This rule
                                              reference-materials/#url=BALs) and a                    change the proposed effective date of                  has been designated a ‘‘significant
                                              Carrier Letter (available at https://                   removals. The proposed rule makes the                  regulatory action,’’ under Executive
                                              www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/                       removal effective on the first day of the              Order 12866.
                                              healthcare/carriers/#url=Carrier-Letters)               pay period following a notarized request                  This final rule is not subject to the
                                              following the publication of this                       received from the family member at                     requirements of E.O. 13771 (82 FR 9339,
                                              regulation to carriers and to agencies                  issue and on the first day of the second               February 3, 2017) because it is related
                                              providing a specific process to notify                  pay period following a request to                      to agency organization, management, or
                                              carriers and/or employing offices of any                remove a child received from the                       personnel.
                                              coverage changes effectuated under this                 enrollee. The commenter requested that
                                              regulation. One commenter further                                                                              Regulatory Flexibility Act
                                                                                                      the effective date be the first day of the
                                              added that the carrier should receive the               third pay period for enrollees who pay                    I certify that this regulation will not
                                              reasoning behind the removal of the                     premiums bi-weekly and the second pay                  have a significant economic impact on
                                              individual. Accordingly, the final rule                 period for enrollees who pay premiums                  a substantial number of small entities.
                                              provides that the employing office or                   monthly as the effective date for either
                                              OPM shall provide a copy of the letter                                                                         Federalism
                                                                                                      type of family member removal. OPM
                                              sent to the enrollee concerning removal                                                                          We have examined this rule in
                                                                                                      agrees that this avoids unnecessary
                                              under § 890.308(f)(1) to the carrier.                                                                          accordance with Executive Order 13132,
                                                                                                      benefit overpayments and ensures that a
                                                 One commenter suggested that OPM                                                                            Federalism, and have determined that
                                                                                                      family member has sufficient time to
                                              add an effective date for a removal                                                                            this rule will not have any negative
                                                                                                      obtain replacement health benefits
                                              under § 890.308(f)(3) and (e)(3) where                                                                         impact on the rights, roles, and
                                                                                                      coverage. The final rule makes this
                                              fraud or intentional misrepresentation                                                                         responsibilities of State, local, or Tribal
                                                                                                      change.
                                              are found. OPM has updated the final                                                                           governments.
                                              regulation to specify that if fraud or                     We have also made minor, non-
                                                                                                      substantive editorial changes to the                   Paperwork Reduction Act
                                              intentional misrepresentation of
                                              material fact is found, the effective date              regulation for editorial consistency and                  The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
                                              of the removal is the date of loss of                   to improve clarity. In addition, we have               (44 U.S.C. chapter 35; see 5 CFR part
                                              eligibility.                                            updated the regulation to clarify that                 1320) requires that the U.S. Office of
                                                 One commenter suggested that OPM                     either the enrollee or the removed                     Management and Budget (OMB)
                                              add examples to § 890.308(g) to clarify                 individual can provide proof of                        approve all collections of information
                                              how temporary continuation of coverage                  eligibility or request reconsideration of              by a Federal agency from the public
                                              (TCC), conversion and extension of                      the initial decision.                                  before they can be implemented.
                                              coverage rules will operate under the                   Expected Impact of Changes Based on                    Respondents are not required to respond
                                              regulations. An example has been added                  the Rule                                               to any collection of information unless
                                              to clarify that an individual will not be                                                                      it displays a current valid OMB control
                                              eligible to receive TCC, conversion or an                 The FEHB Program currently has a                     number. OPM is not proposing any
                                              extension of coverage unless the                        total of 262 health plan options for                   additional collections in this rule. This
                                              removal is effectuated within the time                  employees to choose from for their                     rule involves an OMB approved
                                              limit currently required under existing                 health benefits coverage. Historically,                collection of information subject to the
                                              regulations.                                            about 18,000 of FEHB participants                      PRA—OMB No. 3206–0160, Health
                                                                                                      switch health care plans in any given                  Benefits Election Form. The public
                                              Removal of Eligible Family Members                      year. There are approximately 4 million                reporting burden for this collection is
                                              From Existing Enrollment Regulation                     family members covered under FEHB                      estimated to average 30 minutes per
                                                One commenter asked who will be                       Program. While this rule may lower                     response, including time for reviewing
                                              responsible for collecting                              costs to the FEHB Program by reducing                  instructions, searching existing data
                                              documentation and determining proof                     the number of eligible and ineligible                  sources, gathering and maintaining the
                                              of eligibility status and whether that                  family members, OPM does not have                      data needed, and completing and
                                              information will need to be forwarded                   data available to calculate specific rates.            reviewing the collection of information.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES




                                              to FEHB Program carriers. The proposed                  However, OPM has found anecdotal                       The total burden hour estimate for this
                                              rule provided and the final rule                        evidence which estimates between 1–3                   form is 9,000 hours. The systems of
                                              maintains that employing offices will be                percent of spouses and 4–12 percent of                 record notice for this collection is:
                                              responsible for collecting                              children in commercial health plans are                OPM/Central 1 Civil Service Retirement
                                              documentation and determining proof                     ineligible for coverage. So, we anticipate             and Insurance Records, available at
                                              of eligibility status and that the                      this rule will not have widespread                     https://www.opm.gov/information-
                                              information will be sent to FEHB                        applicability across the Program.                      management/privacy-policy/sorn/opm-


                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   15:56 Jan 22, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00002   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\23JAR1.SGM   23JAR1


                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 23, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                           3061

                                              sorn-central-1-civil-service-retirement-                   (b) Carrier disenrollment: Death of                 remove the individual from the
                                              and-insurance-records.pdf.                              enrollee. ***                                          enrollment is made. The time limit for
                                                                                                         (c) Carrier disenrollment: Child                    filing may be extended if the enrollee or
                                              List of Subjects on 5 CFR Part 890                      survivor annuitant. ***                                the removed shows that he or she was
                                                Administrative practice and                              (d) Carrier disenrollment: Separation               not notified of the time limit and was
                                              procedure, Government employees,                        from Federal employment. ***                           not otherwise aware of it, or that he or
                                              Health insurance.                                          (e) Carrier removal from enrollment:                she was prevented by circumstances
                                              U.S. Office of Personnel Management.                    Ineligible individuals. (1) A carrier may              beyond his or her control from making
                                              Kathleen M. McGettigan,
                                                                                                      request verification of eligibility from               the request within the time limit. The
                                                                                                      the enrollee at any time of an individual              request for reconsideration must be
                                              Acting Director.
                                                                                                      who is covered as a family member of                   made in writing and must include the
                                                For the reasons set forth in the                      the enrollee in accordance with                        enrollee’s name, address, Social
                                              preamble, OPM amends 5 CFR part 890                     § 890.302. To verify eligibility, the                  Security Number or other personal
                                              as follows:                                             carrier shall send the enrollee a request              identification number, individual’s
                                                                                                      for appropriate documentation of the                   name, the name of the enrollee’s carrier,
                                              PART 890—FEDERAL EMPLOYEES                              individual’s relationship to the enrollee              reason(s) for the request, and, if
                                              HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM                                 with a copy to the enrollee’s employing                applicable, the enrollee’s retirement
                                                                                                      office of record. The request shall                    claim number.
                                              ■ 1. The authority citation for part 890
                                                                                                      contain a written notice that the                         (5) The employing office must issue a
                                              continues to read as follows:
                                                                                                      individual will no longer be covered 60                written notice of its final decision to the
                                                 Authority: 5 U.S.C. 8913; Sec. 890.301 also          calendar days after the date of the notice             enrollee, and notify the carrier of the
                                              issued under sec. 311 of Pub. L. 111–03, 123            unless the enrollee or the employing
                                              Stat. 64; Sec. 890.111 also issued under
                                                                                                                                                             decision, within 30 days of receipt of
                                              section 1622(b) of Pub. L. 104–106, 110 Stat.
                                                                                                      office provides appropriate                            the request for reconsideration. The
                                              521; Sec. 890.112 also issued under section             documentation as requested. If the                     notice must fully set forth the findings
                                              1 of Pub. L. 110–279, 122 Stat. 2604; 5 U.S.C.          carrier does not receive the requested                 and conclusions on which the decision
                                              8913; Sec. 890.803 also issued under 50                 documentation within the specified                     was based.
                                              U.S.C. 403p, 22 U.S.C. 4069c and 4069c–1;               time frame or if based on the                             (6) If an enrollee or the removed
                                              subpart L also issued under sec. 599C of 101,           documentation provided the individual                  individual provides acceptable proof of
                                              104 Stat. 2064, as amended; Sec. 890.102 also           is found not to be eligible, the carrier               eligibility of an individual subsequent
                                              issued under sections 11202(f), 11232(e),               shall remove the individual from the                   to removal, coverage under the
                                              11246(b) and (c) of Pub. L. 105–33, 111 Stat.
                                              251; and section 721 of Pub. L. 105–261, 112
                                                                                                      enrollment and shall provide written                   enrollment shall be reinstated
                                              Stat. 2061; Pub. L. 111–148, as amended by              notice of removal to the enrollee, with                retroactively so that there is no gap in
                                              Pub. L. 111–152.                                        a copy to the employing office,                        coverage, as appropriate.
                                                                                                      including an explanation of the process                   (f) Employing office and OPM removal
                                              ■ 2. Revise § 890.302(a)(1) to read as                  for seeking reconsideration. The carrier               from enrollment: Ineligible individuals.
                                              follows:                                                may extend the time limit to provide                   (1) An enrollee’s employing office or
                                              § 890.302   Coverage of family members.                 appropriate documentation if the                       OPM may request verification of
                                                (a)(1) Enrollment. An enrollment for                  enrollee or the removed individual                     eligibility from the enrollee at any time
                                              self plus one includes the enrollee and                 shows to the carrier that he or she was                of an individual who is covered as a
                                              one eligible family member. An                          prevented by circumstances beyond his                  family member of the enrollee in
                                              enrollment for self and family includes                 or her control from providing timely                   accordance with § 890.302. To verify
                                              all family members who are eligible to                  documentation.                                         eligibility, the employing office or OPM
                                              be covered by the enrollment except as                     (2) Appropriate documentation                       shall send the enrollee a request for
                                              provided in § 890.308(h). Proof of family               includes, but is not limited to, copies of             appropriate documentation of the
                                              member eligibility may be required, and                 birth certificates, marriage certificates,             individual’s relationship to the enrollee.
                                              must be provided upon request, to the                   and, if applicable, other proof including              The request shall contain a written
                                              carrier, the employing office or OPM.                   that the individual lives with the                     notice that the individual will no longer
                                              Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2)                  enrollee and the enrollee is the                       be covered 60 calendar days after the
                                              of this section, no employee, former                    individual’s primary source of financial               date of the notice unless the enrollee
                                              employee, annuitant, child, or former                   support.                                               provides appropriate documentation as
                                              spouse may enroll or be covered as a                       (3) The effective date of a removal                 requested. If the employing office or
                                              family member if he or she is already                   shall be prospective unless the record                 OPM, as applicable, does not receive the
                                              covered under another person’s self plus                shows that the enrollee or the removed                 requested documentation within the
                                              one or self and family enrollment in the                individual has committed fraud or made                 specified time frame or if based on the
                                              FEHB Program.                                           an intentional misrepresentation of                    documentation provided the individual
                                                                                                      material fact as prohibited by the terms               is found not to be eligible, the
                                              *      *     *      *   *                                                                                      employing office or OPM, as applicable,
                                                                                                      of the plan. If fraud or intentional
                                              ■ 3. Amend § 890.308 by:                                                                                       shall direct the carrier to remove the
                                                                                                      misrepresentation of material fact is
                                              ■ a. Revising the section heading;
                                                                                                      found, the effective date of the removal               individual from the enrollment and the
                                              ■ b. Adding headings to paragraphs (a),
                                                                                                      is the date of loss of eligibility.                    employing office or OPM, as applicable,
                                              (b), (c), and (d); and                                     (4) A request for reconsideration of                shall provide written notice of the
                                              ■ c. Adding paragraphs (e), (f), (g), and
                                                                                                      the carrier’s initial decision must be                 removal to the enrollee, with a copy to
                                              (h).
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES




                                                The revisions and additions read as                   filed by the enrollee or the removed                   the carrier, including an explanation of
                                              follows:                                                individual with the enrollee’s                         the process for seeking reconsideration.
                                                                                                      employing office within 60 calendar                    The time limit to provide appropriate
                                              § 890.308 Disenrollment and removal from                days after the date of the carrier’s initial           documentation may be extended if the
                                              enrollment.                                             decision. The employing office must                    enrollee or the removed individual
                                                (a) Carrier disenrollment: Enrollment                 notify the carrier when a request for                  shows to the employing office or OPM,
                                              reconciliation. ***                                     reconsideration of the decision to                     as appropriate, that he or she was


                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   15:56 Jan 22, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00003   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\23JAR1.SGM   23JAR1


                                              3062              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 15 / Tuesday, January 23, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                              prevented by circumstances beyond his                   continuation of coverage. If an                        that the request is approved by the
                                              or her control from providing timely                    individual is removed from an                          employing office for enrollees who pay
                                              documentation.                                          enrollment pursuant to paragraph (e) or                premiums monthly.
                                                 (2) Appropriate documentation                        (f) of this section, the individual may be                (3) The family member’s removal
                                              includes, but is not limited to, copies of              eligible for a 31-day temporary                        under this paragraph (h) is considered a
                                              birth certificates, marriage certificates,              extension of coverage, conversion and/                 cancellation under § 890.304(d) and
                                              and, if applicable, other proof including               or temporary continuation of coverage                  removed family members are not
                                              that the individual lives with the                      in accordance with § 890.401 and                       eligible for temporary extension of
                                              enrollee and that the enrollee is the                   subparts H and K of this part. Any                     coverage and conversion under
                                              individual’s primary source of financial                opportunity to enroll under § 890.401                  § 890.401 or temporary continuation of
                                              support.                                                and subparts H and K shall not extend                  coverage under § 809.1103.
                                                 (3) The effective date of the removal                beyond the date that opportunity would                    (4) If an eligible family member is
                                              shall be prospective unless the record                  have ended if the individual had been                  removed under this paragraph (h), he or
                                              shows that the enrollee or the removed                  removed on the date of loss of                         she may only regain coverage under the
                                              individual has committed fraud or made                  eligibility.                                           applicable self plus one or self and
                                              an intentional misrepresentation of                        (1) Example. An enrollee and his                    family enrollment if requested by the
                                              material fact as prohibited by the terms                spouse divorce on May 4, 2017. The                     enrollee during the annual open season
                                              of the plan. If fraud or intentional                    enrollee does not remove the former                    or within 60 days of the family member
                                              misrepresentation of material fact is                   spouse from the enrollee’s self and                    losing other health insurance coverage.
                                              found, the effective date of the removal                family enrollment, so the former spouse                The enrollee must also provide written
                                              is the date of loss of eligibility.                     is receiving coverage but is not eligible.             consent to reinstatement of coverage
                                                 (4) The enrollee or the removed                      In this example, the former spouse is                  from the family member and
                                              individual may request reconsideration                  not eligible to receive an annuity listed              demonstrate eligibility of the spouse or
                                              of an employing office or OPM’s                         in § 890.805(2). If the employing office               child as a family member to the
                                              decision to remove the individual from                  later discovers the divorce, and removes               employing office.
                                              the enrollment within 60 days of an                     the spouse from the enrollment on June                    (5) If an employing office approves a
                                              employing office or OPM’s initial                       20, 2018, the former spouse is not                     request for removal, the employing
                                              decision. The enrollee or the removed                   eligible for a 31-day extension of                     office must notify the enrollee and the
                                              individual may request reconsideration                  coverage, conversion and/or temporary                  carrier of the removal immediately. For
                                              of an employing office decision to the                  continuation of coverage because the                   removals under paragraph (h)(1)(ii) of
                                              employing office or an OPM decision to                  regulatory window for election of 60                   this section, the employing office must
                                              OPM. The employing office or OPM, as                    days outlined in § 890.805(1) has                      also immediately notify the child of the
                                              applicable, must notify the carrier when                passed. The sixty-day window began on                  removal using the last known contact
                                              a request for reconsideration of the                    the final date of the divorce, May 4,                  provided by the enrollee.
                                              decision to remove the individual from                  2017 and ended on July 3, 2017.                        [FR Doc. 2018–01174 Filed 1–22–18; 8:45 am]
                                              the enrollment is made. The time limit                     (2) [Reserved]                                      BILLING CODE 6325–63–P
                                              for filing may be extended if the                          (h) Removal from enrollment: Eligible
                                              enrollee or the removed individual                      family members. (1) An eligible family
                                              shows that he or she was not notified of                member may be removed from a self
                                              the time limit and was not otherwise                    plus one or a self and family enrollment               DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                              aware of it, or that he or she was                      if a request is submitted to the enrollee’s            Federal Aviation Administration
                                              prevented by circumstances beyond his                   employing office for approval at any
                                              or her control from making the request                  time during the plan year in the                       14 CFR Part 25
                                              within the time limit. The request for                  following circumstances:
                                              reconsideration must be made in writing                    (i) In the case of a spouse, if the                 [Docket No. FAA–2018–0035; Special
                                              and must include the enrollee’s name,                   enrollee and his or her spouse provide                 Conditions No. 25–714–SC]
                                              address, Social Security Number or                      a notarized request for removal.
                                                                                                         (ii) In the case of a child who has                 Special Conditions: Preferred
                                              other personal identification number,
                                                                                                      reached the age of majority in the                     Improvements, LLC, Boeing Model
                                              the individual’s name, the name of the
                                                                                                      child’s state of residence (the enrollee’s             DC3C Airplanes; Rechargeable Lithium
                                              enrollee’s carrier, reason(s) for the
                                                                                                      state of residence if the child’s is not               Batteries
                                              request, and, if applicable, the enrollee’s
                                              retirement claim number.                                known), if the enrollee provides proof                 AGENCY:  Federal Aviation
                                                 (5) The employing office or OPM, as                  that the child is no longer his or her                 Administration (FAA), DOT.
                                              applicable, must issue a written notice                 dependent as described under                           ACTION: Final special conditions; request
                                              of its final decision to the enrollee, and              § 890.302(b). The enrollee shall also                  for comments.
                                              notify the carrier of the decision within               provide the last known contact
                                              30 days of receipt of the request for                   information for the child.                             SUMMARY:   These special conditions are
                                              reconsideration. The notice must fully                     (iii) In the case of a child who has                issued for Boeing Model DC3C airplanes
                                              set forth the findings and conclusions                  reached the age of majority in the                     as modified by Preferred Improvements,
                                              on which the decision was based.                        child’s state of residence, if the child               LLC. These airplanes will have a novel
                                                 (6) If an enrollee or the removed                    provides a notarized request for removal               or unusual design feature when
                                              individual provides acceptable proof of                 to the employing office.                               compared to the state of technology
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES




                                              eligibility of an individual subsequent                    (2) For removals under paragraph                    envisioned in the airworthiness
                                              to removal, coverage under the                          (h)(1) of this section the effective date is           standards for transport category
                                              enrollment shall be reinstated                          the first day of the third pay period                  airplanes. This design feature is
                                              retroactively so that there is no gap in                following the date the request is                      rechargeable lithium ion backup battery
                                              coverage, as appropriate.                               approved by the employing office for                   packs installed on the airplanes. The
                                                 (g) Temporary extension of coverage,                 employees who pay bi-weekly and the                    applicable airworthiness regulations do
                                              conversion and/or temporary                             second pay period following the date                   not contain adequate or appropriate


                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:46 Jan 22, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00004   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\23JAR1.SGM   23JAR1



Document Created: 2018-01-23 01:09:02
Document Modified: 2018-01-23 01:09:02
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis rule is effective February 22, 2018.
ContactMarguerite Martel at [email protected] or (202) 606-0004.
FR Citation83 FR 3059 
RIN Number3206-AN09
CFR AssociatedAdministrative Practice and Procedure; Government Employees and Health Insurance

2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR