---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 U.S.C. § 8903a"
title: "5"
title_heading: "Government Organization and Employees"
number: "8903a"
heading: "Additional health benefits plans"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/5/8903a"
units:
  - "Part III — Employees"
  - "Subpart G — Insurance and Annuities"
  - "Chapter 89 — Health Insurance"
---

# §8903a. Additional health benefits plans

- (a) In addition to any plan under [section 8903 of this title](/usc/5/8903.md), the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) of Personnel Management may contract for or approve one or more [health benefits plans](/usc/5/8901.md?p=6) under this section.
- (b) A plan under this section may not be contracted for or approved unless it—
  - (1) is sponsored or underwritten, and administered, in whole or substantial part, by an [employee organization](/usc/5/8901.md?p=8) described in [section 8901(8)(B) of this title](/usc/5/8901.md?p=8-B);
  - (2) offers benefits of the types named by paragraph (1) or (2) of [section 8904 of this title](/usc/5/8904.md) or both;
  - (3) provides for benefits only by paying for, or providing reimbursement for, the cost of such benefits (as provided for under paragraph (1) or (2) of [section 8903 of this title](/usc/5/8903.md)) or a combination thereof; and
  - (4) is available only to individuals who, at the time of enrollment, are full [members](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) of the organization and to [members](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) of their families.
- (c) A contract for a plan approved under this section shall require the [carrier](/usc/5/8901.md?p=7)—
  - (1) to enter into an agreement approved by the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) with an underwriting subcontractor licensed to issue group health insurance in all the [States](/usc/5/8521.md?p=a-3) and the District of Columbia; or
  - (2) to demonstrate ability to meet reasonable minimum financial standards prescribed by the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3).
- (d) For the purpose of this section, an individual shall be considered a full [member](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) of an organization if such individual is [eligible](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-3) to exercise all rights and privileges incident to full membership in such organization (determined without regard to the right to hold elected [office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3)).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 99–53, § 1(b)(1), June 17, 1985, 99 Stat. 93.)