Federal Health Benefits: Understanding FERS Insurance Programs

Federal health benefits are available through the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). The FERS program is the employee benefit program offered to employees of the federal government. To gain access to these benefits, you have to be a civil service employee working for the federal government or retiree.

FERS

The types of federal health benefit offered through FERS are health insurance and disability income insurance. The way in which the benefits are administered is handled through the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). OPM sets the benefit guidelines and levels for employees of the federal government. The current guidelines for FERS benefits can be found on the OPM website or the respective government or agency website for federal employees.

Non-Governmental Employee Federal Health Benefits

Aside from the FERS system, non-governmental employees receive health benefits through their employers, where available. The only non-governmental employee health benefits available on the federal level are those offered through Medicare, which is only available to persons age 65 and older and Medicaid, which is only available to certain individuals. There are no other types of federal health benefits that are offered aside from Medicare, Medicaid and FERS.