(d) Two changes may be made by the same notice. Example: A retired employee originally elected to receive a Government contribution for self and family toward the cost of a private health benefits plan. The subscription to the private health benefits plans is terminated March 15, 1962. He notifies the retirement office of the termination and at the same time notifies the retirement office that he wishes to elect the uniform plan (basic only) for self and family. The retirement office receives the notice March 22, 1962. His election becomes an election not to participate on April 1, 1962, and the Government contribution is not added to the annuity or compensation accrued for March 1962. On July 1, 1962, the family is covered by the basic coverage of the uniform plan, and withholdings and contributions are made for the annuity or compensation accruing in June 1962.

Subpart C-Suspension and
Termination

First day of month specified in notice to retirement office, or first day of month following receipt of notice by retirement office, whichever is later. Changes in withholdings and contributions are effective for annuity or compensation accruing for the month preceding the effective date of the change. Do.

Do.

Do.

First day of fourth month following month in which notice is received by retirement office. Changes in withholdings and contributions are effective for annuity or compensation accruing for the third month following month in which notice is received by the retirement office. Do.

Do.

retired employee (other than a survivor) receives compensation.

(b) When compensation is entirely suspended or annuity is entirely waived or suspended, Government contributions are suspended. If the election is to subscribe to the uniform plan, and the annuity or compensation is suspended, or the annuity is waived to the extent that the retired employee's share of the cost cannot be withheld, withholdings and Government contributions are suspended, but the subscription continues.

(c) If the waiver or suspension covers 3 months or less, Government contributions and withholdings for the period of waiver or suspension shall be made when annuity payment is resumed. If the waiver or suspension covers more than 3 months, the retired employee's election is terminated effective at the end of the third month of waiver or suspension. A terminated election is renewed when annuity or compensation payment is resumed. When a terminated election is renewed pursuant to this paragraph, withholdings and Government contributions shall be made for the first 3 months of the waiver or suspension. Withholdings and Government contributions shall

be made for annuity or compensation accruing after the election is renewed.

(d) If title of a retired employee to annuity or compensation is terminated, his eligibility under this part is terminated.

(e) If the eligibility of a retired employee is terminated and other members of the same family continue to be eligible under this part, the election of the former retired employee continues for the remainder of the family unless and until changed in accordance with § 891.202.

Subpart D-Contributions and
Withholdings

§ 891.401

Government contributions.

(a) The Commission shall pay, through the retirement office, $3.50 monthly to each retired employee receiving annuity and to each survivor receiving compensation who elects to receive a Government contribution toward the cost of a private health benefits plan in which he is a subscriber for self alone, and $7.00 monthly to each retired employee receiving annuity and to each survivor receiving compensation who so elects toward the cost of a private health benefits plan in which he is a subscriber for self and family. The Commission shall pay, through the Bureau of Employees' Compensation $3.27 each 4-week period to each retired employee, other than a survivor, who is receiving compensation and who elects to receive a Government contribution toward the cost of a private health benefits plan in which he is a subscriber for self alone, and $6.53 each 4-week period to each who so elects toward the cost of a private health benefits plan in which he is a subscriber for self and family. The Commission shall not pay, in any case, more than the cost of the private health benefits plan each month or 4-week period, as the case may be.

(b) The Commission shall contribute to the cost of the uniform plan $3.50 monthly for each retired employee receiving annuity and each survivor receiving compensation, and $3.27 each 4-week period for any other retired employee receiving compensation, for an election for self alone; and $7.00 monthly for each retired employee receiving annuity and each survivor receiving compensation, and $6.53 each 4-week period for any other retired employee receiving compensation, for an election for self and family. Election to subscribe to the uni

form plan constitutes agreement by the retired employee that the retirement office may withhold from his annuity or compensation his share of the cost of the plan, as provided by this part.

(c) The Government shall contribute to the Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Fund 2 percent of the total Government contribution authorized by this section, for payment of expenses incurred by the Commission in administering this part.

§ 891.402 Withholdings.

The appropriate retirement office shall withhold from the annuity or compensation of each of its retired employees who has elected to subscribe to the uniform plan so much as is necessary to pay his share of the cost of his subscription. The withholdings shall be forwarded, in accordance with the Commission's instructions, to the Retired Employees Health Benefits Fund.

Subpart E-Standards for Uniform Plan and Carrier

§ 891.501 Standards for uniform plan. The uniform plan shall be open to all eligible retired employees and members of their families, without regard to race, sex, health status, or age. It shall not deny or limit benefits because of any preexisting condition. It shall offer a choice among basic coverage only, major medical coverage only, and basic plus major medical coverage. It shall provide a 31-day extension of coverage on termination of subscription other than by change of election or termination of the contract. A person confined in hospital for care or treatment on the 31st day of the extension of coverage shall be entitled to continuation of the benefits of the contract during the continuance of the confinement, but not beyond the 60th day following the end of the extension of coverage. The uniform plan shall be experience-rated.

§ 891.502 Standards for carrier of uniform plan.

In the most recent year for which data are available, the carrier of the uniform plan shall have made at least 1 percent of all group health insurance benefit payments in the United States. If the carrier is an insurance company, it must be licensed to issue group health insurance in all the States of the United States and the District of Columbia.

(a) "Agency" means a department, independent establishment, or other unit of the executive branch of the Federal Government, including a wholly owned Government corporation, in the States of the Union, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the possessions of the United States.

(b) "Employee" means a civilian employee or civilian officer of an agency in either the competitive or excepted service or an enrollee of the Job Corps established by section 102 of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2712).

(c) "Federal medical officer" means a physician who is a Government employee, civilian or military, paid on a salary basis.

(d) "Identification card" means the United States Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Identification Card, Standard Form 46, which names the types of Government-owned vehicles the holder is authorized to operate.

(e) "Incidental operator" means an employee in other than an operator position who is required to operate a Government-owned motor vehicle in order properly to carry out his assigned duties.

(f) "Motor vehicle" means a vehicle, self-propelled, or drawn by mechanical power, designed and operated principally for highway transportation of property or passengers, but does not include a vehicle (1) designed or used for military field training, combat, or tactical purposes; (2) used principally within the confines of a regularly established military post, camp, or depot; or (3) regularly used by an agency in the performance of investigative, law enforcement, or intelligence duties if the head of the agency determines that exclusive control of the vehicle is essential to the effective performance of those duties.

(g) "Operator" means an employee who is regularly required to operate Government-owned motor vehicles. This includes a chauffeur, mounted messenger, truck driver, garageman-driver, and guard-driver.

(h) "Practical road test" means the Commission's Test No. 347.

(i) "State license" means a valid driver's license of the State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or possession of the United States in which the employee is domiciled or principally employed.

[28 F.R. 10107, Sept. 14, 1963, as amended at 31 F.R. 12081, Sept. 16, 1966]

This subpart governs agencies in authorizing their employees to operate Government-owned motor vehicles for official purposes within the States of the Union, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the possessions of the United States.

§ 930.104 Reports required.

An agency shall submit to the Commission, on request, (a) a copy of agency orders and directives issued in compliance with this subpart, and (b) such other reports as the Commission may require for adequate administration and evaluation of the motor vehicle operator program.

§ 930.105 Commission standards and procedures required.

An agency shall adopt and use the Commission's minimum standards and testing procedures in filing competitive and excepted operator positions unless the Commission authorizes, on agency request, the use of alternate standards and procedures which meet the objectives of the motor vehicle operator program.

§ 930.106 Competitive operator position.

An agency may fill competitive operator positions by any of the methods normally authorized for filling competitive positions. The experience and training requirements for competitive operator positions shall include (a) an experience requirement, (b) a safe driving record, (c) the possession of a State license, and (d) except as provided in § 930.107, a practical road test.

§ 930.107 Waiver of practical road test. The Commission, on agency request, may waive the practical road test re

(a) To qualify as an incidental operator, an employee shall (1) meet the physical standards established by the Commission; (2) qualify on a road test determined by the agency to be appropriate; and (3) possess a State license.

(b) An agency head or his designated representative may waive the road test, but only when in his opinion it is impractical to apply it, and then only for an employee whose competence as a driver has been established by his past driving record.

(c) An agency head or his designated representative may waive the requirement for possession of a State license only under the circumstances set out in, and in accordance with, a specific authorization by the Commission to the agency concerned.

[31 F.R. 12081, Sept. 16, 1966]

§ 930.111 Identification card.

(a) An agency shall issue an identification card in accordance with this subpart to each employee who operates a Government-owned motor vehicle.

(b) The Commission may grant exceptions to the requirement in paragraph (a) of this section to certain employees who otherwise meet the requirements of this subpart when it finds these exceptions are in the interest of good administration.

§ 930.112

To whom issued. (a) Each agency shall issue an identification card to:

(1) Each employee who qualifies for and is assigned to an operator position; (2) Each employee who qualifies as an incidental operator; and

(3) Other employees who qualify in accordance with the requirements for incidental operator in § 930.110.

(b) An agency may issue an identification card without regard to the requirements in §§ 930.106 and 930.110:

(1) To an employee in an operator position under temporary appointment or detail not exceeding 1 month;

(2) For 1 month or less, to an employee in an operator position in order to permit completion of special testing approved by the Commission in a particular selection program; and

(3) For 1 month or less, to other employees who are taking training to satisfy requirements as operators or incidental operators or under such circumstances as in the judgment of the agency is necessary in the interests of the Government.

An agency may issue an identification card under authority of this paragraph only to an employee who is in possession of a State license, except when this requirement is waived under § 930.110 (c). An identification card issued under this paragraph shall include the time restriction imposed.

[31 F.R. 12081, Sept. 16, 1966] § 930.113

card.

Contents

of identification

(c) The holder of an identification card shall surrender the card when he leaves the issuing agency or moves to a position in which the driving of a Government-owned vehicle is not necessary. § 930.115 Renewal and reissuance of identification cards.

(a) An identification card is valid for not more than 3 years, and is renewable for additional periods of not more than 3 years each.

(b) An agency may renew or reissue an identification card only after the agency head or his designated representative has determined that the employee concerned continues to meet prescribed physical standards and continues to demonstrate competence in driving the motor vehicle to which assigned. § 930.116 State license in possession.

(a) An employee shall have a State license in his possession at all times while driving a Government-owned motor vehicle on a public highway.

(b) The Commission may grant exceptions to the requirement in paragraph (a) of this section.

§ 930.117 Periodic physical testing.

At least once every 3 years each agency, in accordance with standards and procedures established by the Commission, shall provide for testing the physical fitness of each employee who operates a Government-owned vehicle.

§ 930.118 Adverse actions.

An agency shall take any adverse action against an operator or an incidental operator in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Agency orders and directives shall include the following reasons among those constituting sufficient cause for an adverse action against an operator or an incidental operator:

(a) The employee is convicted of operating under the influence of narcotics.

(b) The employee is convicted of leaving the scene of an accident without making himself known.

(c) A Federal medical officer finds the employee fails to meet the required physical standards.

(d) The employee's State license is revoked.

(e) The employee's State license is suspended. However, the agency may continue the employee in his position for operation of Government-owned motor vehicles on other than public highways for not to exceed 45 days from the date of suspension of the State license.