Family members eligible for coverage under Option C - Family are your spouse (including a valid common law marriage) and unmarried dependent children younger than age 22. Dependent children include a child born within marriage, an adopted child, a stepchild or foster child who lives with you in a regular parent-child relationship, or a recognized natural child. Stillborn children are not covered. An unmarried dependent child age 22 or older who is incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability that existed before age 22 is also an eligible family member.

You cannot include a former spouse as a family member under your Option C - Family enrollment after you are divorced, even if the divorce decree specifies that you provide life insurance coverage for your former spouse. If your former spouse was your only eligible family member you should cancel your Option C - Family coverage.

To include a foster child as a family member you must certify that:

• The child is unmarried and younger than age 22 (if the child is older than age 22, he or she must be incapable of self-support);
• The child lives with you;
• The parent-child relationship is with you, not solely the child's biological parent;
• You are the primary source of financial support for the child; and
• You expect to raise the child to adulthood.

To continue coverage on your Option C - Family enrollment for a child older than age 22, you must provide documentation that the child is incapable of working at a self-supporting job because of a physical or mental disability that existed before age 22 and is expected to continue for at least 1 year.

1. Contact the Benefits Line for counseling.
2. Complete CBC 12800-50, Foster Child Certification.
3. Send the certification to the address on the form.

1. Contact the Benefits Line for counseling.
2. Ask your child’s physician to complete CBC 12890-6, Medical Certificate for Child Incapable of Self-Support documenting the disability, 60 days before your child turns age 22.
3. Send the documentation to the address on the form.
4. The Civilian Benefits Center will review the documentation and approve/disapprove the request.

If you already have a certification on file for a foster child or child incapable of self-support for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) or Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) Programs, you do not have to complete a new certification for Option C – Family coverage, unless you are electing or increasing Option C - Family because you acquire a foster child.

• OPM Insurance Web Site
• OPM FEGLI Handbook
• Family Members FAQs