For individuals interested in the Federal Employee Long Term Care Insurance Program, please note an important update regarding enrollment. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has officially extended the temporary suspension for new applications to the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP).
This suspension, which was previously scheduled to conclude on December 19, 2024, has now been extended for an additional 24 months from that date. This extension will remain in effect unless OPM issues a subsequent announcement to either terminate or further extend this period. During this suspension, new enrollments into the federal employee long term care insurance program are not being accepted, and current enrollees are also restricted from applying to increase their existing coverage levels.
OPM has clarified that this continuation of the FLTCIP application suspension is a necessary measure to safeguard the program’s integrity. This decision is attributed to the persistent volatility observed in long term care costs alongside a contraction in the insurance market. These combined factors are creating challenges in establishing benefit offerings with premium rates that are both reasonable and equitably reflective of the actual costs associated with providing these crucial long term care benefits, as mandated under 5 U.S.C. 9003(b)(2).
The federal employee long term care insurance program is designed to provide financial assistance for long term care services. These services become necessary when enrollees require support with everyday activities or are diagnosed with severe cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
When the program is actively accepting applications, the federal employee long term care insurance program is generally available to a broad range of individuals. This includes most Federal and U.S. Postal Service employees and annuitants, active and retired members of the uniformed services, and their qualified family members. Eligibility criteria typically require most employees to be eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program to apply for FLTCIP coverage, regardless of actual FEHB enrollment. However, this FEHB Program eligibility is not a requirement for annuitants. It is important to note that the application process for the federal employee long term care insurance program involves medical underwriting, and certain pre-existing medical conditions or combinations of conditions may impact approval for coverage.
For individuals seeking more detailed information regarding the federal employee long term care insurance program, please reach out to Long Term Care Partners directly at 1-800-582-3337. Alternatively, you can visit the LTCFEDS website for comprehensive resources. Furthermore, the LTCFEDS Care Navigator is available as a valuable online resource library. It is specifically designed to offer support to both caregivers and those in need of care as they navigate the various stages of aging and the complexities of long term care planning.
