5 CFR § 894.512 - What happens if I leave Federal Government and then return?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t5/s894.512"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "5 CFR § 894.512 - What happens if I leave Federal Government and then return?"
title_number: 5
title_name: "Administrative Personnel"
section_number: "894.512"
section_name: "What happens if I leave Federal Government and then return?"
chapter_name: "OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS"
part_number: "894"
part_name: "FEDERAL EMPLOYEES DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE PROGRAM"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "5 U.S.C. 8962; 5 U.S.C. 8992; Subpart C also issued under section 1 of Pub. L. 110-279, 122 Stat. 2604 (2 U.S.C. 2051); and Sec. 894.601(b) also issued under Pub. L. 116-92, 133 Stat. 1198 (5 U.S.C. 8956 note)."
regulatory_source: "73 FR 50184, Aug. 26, 2008, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "894"
---


# 894.512 What happens if I leave Federal Government and then return?

(a) Your FEDVIP coverage terminates at the end of the pay period in which you separate from government service. *Exception:* If you separate for retirement or while in receipt of workers' *compensation* as defined in § 894.701, your FEDVIP coverage continues.

(b)(1) If you return to Federal service after a break in service of fewer than 30 *days*, and you were not previously enrolled in FEDVIP, you may not enroll until the next open season or unless you have a *QLE* that allows you to enroll.

(2) If you return to Federal service after a break in service of fewer than 30 *days*, and you were previously enrolled in FEDVIP, you may reenroll in the same plan(s) and plan option and with the same *type of enrollment* you had before you separated. *Exceptions:*

(i) If you were enrolled in a dental or vision plan with a restricted geographic service area, and you have since moved out of the plan's service area, you may change to a different dental or vision plan that serves that area.

(ii) If you have since gained or lost an eligible *family member*, you may change your *type of enrollment* consistent with the change in the number of eligible *family members.*

(3) If you return to Federal service as a new hire after a break in service of 30 *days* or more, you may enroll if you were not previously enrolled, change your dental or vision plan, and/or change your *type of enrollment.*