Q. I am a GS with the Veterans Affairs Department, but also retired military. I have used Tricare Prime as my insurance since I retired two years ago, but with the new changes to Tricare, I am in an area that is losing Tricare Prime on Oct. 1 and being reverted to Tricare Standard. I have a daughter with a medical condition that requires frequent physician follow-ups, and being placed on Tricare Standard alone scares me. Would loss of existing health insurance be a “qualifying event” for me to buy into a Federal Employees Health Benefits plan?
A. According to the Office of Personnel Management, the move from Tricare Prime to Tricare Standard wouldn’t constitute a loss of existing coverage. Therefore, it wouldn’t be a qualifying event. You could, if you wish, enroll in the FEHB program during the next open season.
