A former spouse cannot continue to be covered under a Federal employee's FEHB enrollment after the marriage to the employee terminates. The FEHB program provides two ways for a former spouse to elect coverage: Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) and/or the Spouse Equity Act.

TCC. A former spouse who has been covered as a family member at some time during the 18 months before the marriage ends may elect to continue health insurance under FEHB for up to 36 months. The individual will be required to pay both the employee and Government shares of the premiums, plus a 2 percent charge for administrative expenses.

Spouse Equity. A former spouse is eligible to enroll in FEHB under Spouse Equity provisions if:

• The individual is divorced from a Federal employee, retiree, or former Central Intelligence Agency or Foreign Service employee during his or her employment or receipt of annuity;
• The individual was covered as a family member under an FEHB enrollment at least 1 day during the 18 months before the marriage ended. (Note: This requirement is also met when both the former spouse and the Federal employee or retiree have FEHB enrollments.);
• The individual is entitled to a portion of the Federal employee's annuity or to a former spouse survivor annuity; and
• The former spouse has not remarried before age 55.

1. The former spouse should contact the Benefits Line for counseling.
2. The Civilian Benefits Center will send the former spouse a notice of eligibility to elect TCC.
3. The former spouse must:
   
   
   1. Complete and sign an SF 2809 Employee Health Benefits Registration Form. Write "TCC" at the top of the form.
   2. Mail the original SF 2809 (no copies are necessary) to the Civilian Benefits Center within 60 days of the date of divorce or annulment (or date of the Civilian Benefit Center eligibility notice). Do not send a premium payment with the registration form.
4. The Civilian Benefits Center will forward the registration form to the National Finance Center.
5. The National Finance Center will contact the former spouse regarding the payment of premiums.
6. The former spouse will mail the premiums to the National Finance Center.

1. The former spouse should contact the Benefits Line for counseling.
2. The former spouse must send a written request to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for a determination of entitlement to either:
   • A portion of the employee's future retirement annuity; or
   • A former spouse survivor annuity.
3. The request must include:
   • A certified copy (not a photocopy of a certified copy) of the divorce decree, property settlement, and/or court order (if applicable).
   • The employee's name, date of birth, Social Security number, and last employing agency.
4. If OPM approves the request, the former spouse must:
   • Complete and sign an SF 2809 Employee Health Benefits Registration Form. Write "Spouse Equity" at the top of the form.
   • Mail the original SF 2809 (no copies are necessary) with a copy of OPM's eligibility notice to the Civilian Benefits Center within 60 days of the date of the notice. Do not send a premium payment with the registration form.
5. The Civilian Benefits Center will forward the SF 2809 to the National Finance Center.
6. The National Finance Center will contact the former spouse regarding the payment of premiums.
7. The former spouse will mail the premiums to the National Finance Center.

• Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Insurance Web Site
• OPM FEHB Handbook
• OPM Frequently Asked Questions
• OPM RI 79-027 Temporary Continuation of Coverage Under FEHB