The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced a further extension to the suspension of the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP). Originally set to expire on December 19, 2024, the suspension for new enrollments and coverage increases will now remain in effect for an additional 24 months from that date, unless OPM provides notice of an earlier termination or further extension. This means that individuals who are not currently enrolled in the Federal Long Term Health Care Program will not be able to apply for coverage, and current enrollees are restricted from increasing their existing coverage during this suspension period.
This decision to extend the FLTCIP suspension is attributed to ongoing instability in long term care costs and challenges within the insurance market. These factors have made it difficult for OPM to offer benefit options with premium rates that accurately and fairly reflect the actual cost of providing these benefits, which is a requirement under U.S. law. The priority is to ensure the program’s sustainability and value for its current and future enrollees.
The federal long term health care program, when active, is designed to assist enrollees with the expenses associated with long-term care services. This includes support for individuals who need help with everyday activities or who are experiencing severe cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease. When the program is open for enrollment, a wide range of individuals are typically eligible to apply, including most federal and U.S. Postal Service employees and annuitants, active and retired members of the uniformed services, and their qualified relatives.
Generally, when not suspended, most employees need to be eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program to apply for the federal long term health care program, regardless of actual FEHB enrollment. Annuitants have different eligibility criteria and do not need to be FEHB eligible or enrolled. It’s important to note that certain pre-existing medical conditions may affect eligibility for coverage. Prospective applicants must complete an application to determine their eligibility when the program resumes normal operations.
For individuals seeking more detailed information about the federal long term health care program and the current suspension, Long Term Care Partners can be contacted at 1-800-582-3337. Additionally, their website www.ltcfeds.gov provides comprehensive resources. For those navigating the complexities of caregiving, the LTCFEDS Care Navigator, accessible on the same website, offers a valuable resource library to support caregivers and individuals in need of care across different stages of aging and care requirements.
