§4069c–1 Health benefits for certain former spouses

Summary

Lets certain former spouses of Foreign Service employees join a federal health plan if they meet three rules: their marriage ended by divorce or annulment before May 7, 1985; they were covered as a family member under the employee’s 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 while the employee served in government. To enroll, the person must, within the 6‑month period beginning on the effective date of this section, file an election and arrange to pay into the Employees Health Benefits Fund under section 8909 an amount equal to the combined employee and agency contributions that would apply for an employee in the same plan and benefit level. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management will set the enrollment procedures. The Secretary must try to find and notify eligible former spouses and may waive the 6‑month deadline when appropriate. A former spouse who remarries before age 55 cannot make the initial election. If already enrolled and they remarry before age 55, coverage ends 31 days after the remarriage. A person cannot have coverage under this rule while covered under another authority, and cannot have more than one enrollment under this rule. “Health benefits plan” means an approved plan under chapter 89 of title 5.