Introduction

This procedure provides instructions for Federal Agencies to enroll eligible non-Federally employed individuals in the Direct Premium Remittance System (DPRS). DPRS centralized system for collecting premiums from eligible non-Federal enrollees who elect to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program under Public Law (P.L.) described below. For more information, see Appendix I, Public Laws Guidelines.

• P.L. 98-615 (5 USC 8905a), Civil Service Retirement Spouse Equity Act of 1984, provides for the enrollment of eligible former spouses of current, retired, or separated Federal employees in the FEHB program.
• Title II of P.L. 100-654 (5 USC 8905a), Federal Employees Health Benefits Amendments Act of 1988, provides for temporary continuation of coverage (TCC) under FEHB for (1) certain individuals who separate from Federal service, (2) children (of Federal employees, annuitants, or separated employees already enrolled in FEHB) who lost their status as family members, and (3) certain former spouses of current or separated Federal employees or annuitants who would otherwise not be eligible for continued FEHB coverage.
• P.L. 101-303 (5USC 8906I), Direct Pay Annuitant/Survivors, provides for annuitants/survivors to pay health benefits premiums directly to the National Finance Center (NFC) when the annuity is insufficient to pay the withholdings for the plan that the annuitant/survivor is enrolled in.
• P.L. 102-484, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993, amends the TCC under FEHB for certain civilian employees of the Department of Defense (DOD) separated under the reduction in force.
• P.L. 104-106, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996, amends the TCC under FEHB to cover employees who voluntarily separate from surplus positions.

Each of these laws establishes a requirement that Agencies provide FEHB coverage for qualified enrollees. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has contracted with the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) NFC to act as the central processing office for P.L. 98-615 and P.L. 100-654 accounts. Those Agencies that elect to use NFC's services will have their accounts processed through DPRS.

Individuals who are eligible for extended FEHB coverage under P.L. 98-615, P.L. 100-654, P.L. 102-484, or P.L. 101-303 apply for initial enrollment by providing their Agency submitting offices with a completed SF 2809, see SF 2809, Health Benefits Election Form and Appendix II, Instructions on Completing the SF 2809. For examples of completed SF 2809s, see SF 2809, Types of New Enrollments.

Only annuitants and survivors on direct-pay are serviced by NFC.