§4069c Health benefits for certain former spouses

Summary

Lets certain former spouses of Foreign Service employees join federal health plans if three things are true: their marriage ended by divorce or annulment before May 7, 1985; they were covered as a family member under the employee’s health plan at some time in the 18-month period before the divorce became final; and they were married to the employee for at least 10 years during periods when the employee served for the government. Eligible people can sign up for coverage for themselves or for themselves and their family if they file an election and, within the 6-month period that began on December 22, 1987, pay into the Employees Health Benefits Fund under section 8909 of title 5 an amount equal to the employee plus agency contributions for the same plan and benefit level. The Secretary must try to find and notify eligible former spouses and can waive the 6-month deadline when needed. A former spouse who remarries before age 55 cannot make the initial election, and if already enrolled will lose coverage 31 days after remarriage. No one can have duplicate coverage under this rule or be covered here while covered under another law. Health benefits plan means an approved plan under chapter 89 of title 5. A special rule lets certain former spouses of employees of the US Information Agency or Agency for International Development qualify if the employee retired under CSRS before the agency could join the Foreign Service system and the marriage included at least five years with the employee assigned overseas.