Ask Reg: Can I stay on FEHB self-plus-one if spouse moves to Medicare?

The following is a question submitted by a reader to Federal Times columnist Reg Jones, a charter member of the senior executive service and the resident expert on federal employee retirement issues.

A Fed Times reader asks:

“My wife is covered on my “self+1″ Blue Cross FEHB plan. She will turn 65 this summer and will be going on Medicare Parts A and B. I am still 62 and will need to remain on the FEHB plan.

Is there some way I can change my FEHB enrollment to a “self only” plan at that time, or will I have to wait until open season in the fall?

Do I need to suspend her coverage as a spouse of an annuitant in order to preserve her ability to return to an FEHB plan if her new gap insurance doesn’t work for her needs?”

Reg’s response:

There is no provision in law or regulation that would allow you to suspend your wife’s FEHB coverage.

You could, of course switch to Self Only coverage; however, if you were to die before you were able to switch back, your wife would only be covered by Medicare A and B.