§3516 Health Benefits for Certain Former Spouses of Central Intelligence Agency Employees

Summary

Gives certain former spouses of CIA employees the right to join a federal health insurance plan if they meet specific rules. To qualify, the marriage must have ended by divorce or annulment before May 7, 1985; the former spouse must have been covered as a family member at some time in the 18-month period before the divorce became final; and the couple must have been married at least ten years while the employee worked for the CIA, with at least five of those years spent together outside the United States. A similar rule applies for people divorced on or before December 4, 1991, from a participant in the CIA Retirement and Disability System or the Federal Employees Retirement System Special Category, so long as they meet the same time and coverage tests. Eligible former spouses must sign up and pay the required amount into the Employees Health Benefits Fund under section 8909 of title 5. For the first group the sign-up had to occur within the six-month period starting October 1, 1986, under rules set by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); OPM can waive that deadline if the CIA Director asks. The CIA Director must try to find and notify eligible former spouses. Those divorced on or before December 4, 1991 must enroll within 60 days of notice. A former spouse who remarries before age 55 generally cannot enroll, and if already enrolled loses coverage 31 days after remarriage, but eligibility returns if that remarriage ends. No one can be covered under this rule while covered under another authority or have more than one enrollment under it. Health benefits plan: an approved federal plan under chapter 89 of title 5.