---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 U.S.C. § 8986"
title: "5"
title_heading: "Government Organization and Employees"
number: "8986"
heading: "Election of coverage"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/5/8986"
units:
  - "Part III — Employees"
  - "Subpart G — Insurance and Annuities"
  - "Chapter 89B — Enhanced Vision Benefits"
---

# §8986. Election of coverage

- (a) An [eligible individual](/usc/5/8951.md?p=3) may enroll in a vision benefits plan for self-only, self plus one, or for self and family. If an [eligible individual](/usc/5/8951.md?p=3) has a spouse who is also [eligible](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-3) to enroll, either spouse, but not both, may enroll for self plus one or self and family. An individual may not be enrolled both as an [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2), [annuitant](/usc/5/8401.md?p=2), or other individual [eligible](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-3) to enroll and as a [member](/usc/5/8401.md?p=20) of the family.
- (b) The [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) shall prescribe regulations under which—
  - (1) an [eligible individual](/usc/5/8951.md?p=3) may enroll in a vision benefits plan; and
  - (2) an enrolled individual may change the self-only, self plus one, or self and family coverage of that individual.
- (c)
  - (1) Regulations under [subsection (b)](#b) shall permit an [eligible individual](/usc/5/8951.md?p=3) to cancel or transfer the enrollment of that individual to another vision benefits plan—
    - (A) before the start of any contract term in which there is a change in rates charged or benefits provided, in which a new plan is offered, or in which an existing plan is terminated; or
    - (B) during other times and under other circumstances specified by the [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3).
  - (2) A transfer under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) shall be subject to waiting periods provided under a new plan.
- (d) Coverage under a vision benefits plan under this chapter for any [employee](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) or a [covered TRICARE-eligible individual](/usc/5/8951.md?p=8) enrolled in such a plan and who, as a result of a lapse in appropriations, is furloughed or excepted from [furlough](/usc/5/7511.md?p=a-5) and working without [pay](/usc/5/7511.md?p=a-4) shall continue during such lapse and may not be cancelled as a result of nonpayment of premiums or other periodic charges due to such lapse.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 108–496, § 3, Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 4008; amended Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XI, § 1111(a)(2), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1601.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2019—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–92 added subsec. (d).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2019 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–92 applicable to any contract for supplemental vision insurance under this chapter entered into before, on, or after Dec. 20, 2019, see section 1111(c) of Pub. L. 116–92, set out as a note under section 8956 of this title.

### Effective Date

Section effective Dec. 23, 2004, and applicable to contracts that take effect with respect to the calendar year 2006, see section 7 of Pub. L. 108–496, set out as a note under section 8951 of this title.