Effective October 16, 2014, the Postal Service™ is revising the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM), subchapter 520, Health Benefits Program, to update policy and procedures in accordance with Office of Personnel Management regulations and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as follows:

• 521.1 — Revised to update Reference Note.
• 521.2 — Revised to update Reference Note and to reflect changes in noncareer employees’ titles.
• 521.4 — Revised to update Reference Note and to reflect changes to Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) policy in accordance with the Affordable Care Act, covering Children until Age 26. Includes policy change concerning eligible same-sex spouses and qualified step-children of same-sex domestic partners who live in states that do not allow same-sex marriage. Updates FEHB Certification for Foster Child to include coverage for Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program, and Federal Employees’ Dental and Vision Insurance Program. Changes references to “employing office” to Human Resources Shared Service Center or HRSSC.
• 521.6 — Revised to update Reference Note and to align ELM guidance with OPM’s requirements that allow former spouses to enroll in FEHB, and to correct the address to which former spouses should mail their requests for determination. In addition, changes references to “employing office” to Human Resources Shared Service Center or HRSSC.
• 521.7 — Revised to update Reference Note and to change the age of eligible dependent children from 22 to 26 years of age and “employing office” references to Human Resources Shared Service Center or HRSSC.
• 522 — Revised to update Reference Note and plan descriptions and to add description of High Deductible and Consumer-Driven Health Plans.
• 523 — Title was revised from Registration to Election Procedures to reflect OPM’s FEHB Handbook language.
• 523.2, 523.33 and 523.342 — Updated in accordance with current processes. References to “employing office” were changed to Human Resources Shared Service Center or HRSSC.
• 523.6 — Revised to replace “employing office” or “personnel office” with Human Resources Shared Service Center or HRSSC, and to change the age for which a child’s disability must be documented from age 22 to age 26.
• 524 — Revised to:
  • Update Dual Enrollment policy in accordance with regulation changes in dependent eligibility.
  • Change employing office to Human Resources Shared Service Center and HRSSC.
  • Include a direct link under the Table of Permissible Changes in FEHB Enrollment and Pre-Tax/After-Tax Premium Payment on OPM’s website.
  • Align with OPM’s FEHB Handbook policy concerning change in marital status.
  • Update policy concerning Change in Family Status, and changing reference to dependents from age 22 to age 26.
  • Delete ELM 524.537, Employee Reaches Age 19, as it is no longer applicable and has been deleted from OPM’s FEHB Handbook.
  • Clarify implications of pre-tax payment of FEHB premiums.
  • Update APWU and NALC noncareer employees’ titles.
  • Provide a direct link to FEHB Handbook for employees who need guidance concerning Spouse Equity and TCC enrollment for former spouses.

Read More: ELM Revision: Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

Related: FEHB Program Handbook – OPM.gov