Title 5, Government Organization and EmployeesRelease 119-102

§8903a Additional Health Benefits Plans

Title 5 › PART III — EMPLOYEES › Subpart G — Insurance and Annuities › CHAPTER 89 — HEALTH INSURANCE › § 8903a

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Office of Personnel Management may approve or hire extra health benefit plans in addition to the regular plan under section 8903. These extra plans must be mainly run and paid for by an employee organization named in section 8901(8)(B), must offer the kinds of benefits listed in section 8904 paragraphs (1) or (2) (or both), must pay or reimburse those benefits (or both), and must be open only to people who are full members when they enroll and to their families. A carrier that has a contract for one of these plans must either sign an Office-approved deal with an underwriting subcontractor licensed to sell group health insurance in every State and the District of Columbia, or prove it meets the Office’s minimum financial rules. A "full member" means someone who can use all membership rights and privileges (not counting the right to hold elected office).

Full Legal Text

Title 5, §8903a

Government Organization and Employees, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In addition to any plan under section 8903 of this title, the Office of Personnel Management may contract for or approve one or more health benefits plans under this section.

(b)A plan under this section may not be contracted for or approved unless it—

(1)is sponsored or underwritten, and administered, in whole or substantial part, by an employee organization described in section 8901(8)(B) of this title;

(2)offers benefits of the types named by paragraph (1) or (2) of section 8904 of this title or both;

(3)provides for benefits only by paying for, or providing reimbursement for, the cost of such benefits (as provided for under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 8903 of this title) or a combination thereof; and

(4)is available only to individuals who, at the time of enrollment, are full members of the organization and to members of their families.

(c)A contract for a plan approved under this section shall require the carrier—

(1)to enter into an agreement approved by the Office with an underwriting subcontractor licensed to issue group health insurance in all the States and the District of Columbia; or

(2)to demonstrate ability to meet reasonable minimum financial standards prescribed by the Office.

(d)For the purpose of this section, an individual shall be considered a full member of an organization if such individual is eligible to exercise all rights and privileges incident to full membership in such organization (determined without regard to the right to hold elected office).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

5 U.S.C. § 8903a

Title 5, Government Organization and Employees

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102