Conversion Rights

• If your enrollment ends for any reason except voluntary cancellation, you may convert to nongroup coverage without giving evidence of good health.

• Any member of your family who loses coverage for any reason except your voluntary cancellation may also convert to nongroup coverage.

• Nongroup coverage under a conversion contract is available only from the carrier of the FEHB plan you are enrolled in when your enrollment ends.

Applying for a Conversion Contract

Within 60 days after your enrollment ends, your employing office must give you a notice of termination of your enrollment and the right to convert to an individual contract with the carrier of your plan.

If you want to convert to nongroup coverage, write for information to the nearest office of your plan within:

• 91 days after your enrollment ends, or

• 31 days after the date the notice was signed authorized official, whichever is earlier.

**Note: if you don't receive the notice within 60 days after your enrollment ends, or you can show that you did not apply for a conversion contract in a timely manner for reasons beyond your control, you may request conversion to nongroup coverage by writing to your plan within six months from the day on which your enrollment ends. Your request must be accompanied by verification of your loss of FEHB coverage, e.g., a transcript of service showing your separation from the service.

If a member of your family wants to convert to nongroup coverage, you or the family member should write to the nearest office of your plan within 31 days after the family member's FEHB coverage ends. (Although you will be notified when your enrollment ends, no one will notify you or the family member when he or she loses coverage.)

The carrier will then send you or the family member an application form as well as benefit and cost information about the nongroup coverage.

Effective Date of a Conversion Contract

Nongroup coverage takes effect at the end of the 31-day extension of coverage described above. This is true even if you or a family member are confined in a hospital on the 31st day and continue to receive benefits for that confinement under your FEHB plan for up to 60 more days.

Some Basic Differences Between a Conversion Contract and an FEHB Plan

• Nongroup benefits and premiums are not subject to Government review and approval.

• The benefits available under a conversion contract may not be the same as those under your FEHB plan. In fact, many carriers provide fewer benefits under their nongroup contracts.

• Nongroup coverage is likely to cost you more because the Government doesn't pay part of the premium, and you will not have the advantage of a "group rate."