Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 100 Part 1.djvu/50

 100 STAT. 14

PUBLIC LAW 99-251—FEB. 27, 1986

Public Law 99-251 99th Congress

Feb. 27, 1986 [H.R. 4061]

Federal Employees Benefits Improvement Act of 1986. 5 USC 8901 note.

An Act

To amend title 5, United States Code, to expand the class of individuals eligible for refunds or other returns of contributions from contingency reserves in the Employees Health Benefits Fund; to make miscellaneous amendments relating to the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program; and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the "Federal Employees Benefits Improvement Act of 1986". TITLE I—FEDERAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFITS SEC. 101. AUTHORITY TO REFUND CERTAIN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENROLLEES.

The last sentence of section 8909(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking out "employees" and inserting in lieu thereof "enrollees". SEC. 102. ELIMINATION OF REQUIREMENT OF THREE MEDICAL SPECIALTIES FOR GROUP-PRACTICE PREPAYMENT PLANS.

The second sentence of section 8903(4)(A) of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: "The group shall include at least 3 physicians who receive all or a substantial part of their professional income from the prepaid funds and who represent 1 or more medical specialties appropriate and necessary for the population proposed to be served by the plan.". SEC. 103. AUTHORITY TO WAIVE CERTAIN ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

Section 8905(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new sentence: "The Office may, in its sole discretion, waive the requirements of this subsection in the case of an individual who fails to satisfy such requirements if the Office determines that, due to exceptional circumstances, it would be against equity and good conscience not to allow such individual to be enrolled as an annuitant in a health benefits plan under this subchapter.". SEC. 104. ANNUAL OPEN SEASON. Ante, p. 94.

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 8905(f) of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: "(f)(1) Under regulations prescribed by the Office, the Office shall, before the start of any contract term in which— "(A) an adjustment is made in any of the rates charged or benefits provided under a health benefits plan described by section 8903 or 8903a of this title, "(B) a newly approved health benefits plan is offered, or

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