On April 2, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a final rule stating federal employees will not lose their health benefits during government shutdowns. The rule implements provisions within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2020 to make certain federal health and life insurance services “essential.”

Employees who have been furloughed as a result of a government shutdown will continue to be able to make changes to their Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) services. The rule also allows employees to keep coverage under their Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP). 

Following the 35-day government shutdown in 2018-19, legislators introduced several bills to protect benefits in the event of a future lapse in appropriations and government shutdown. FMA endorsed the Ensuring FEHBP Coverage During Shutdowns Act and the Ensuring FEDVIP and FLTCIP Coverage During Shutdowns Act in the 116th Congress. The legislative language of these bills was included in the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 116-92). 

To read OPM’s final rule, please click here.