"Early enrollment" commenced with the release of plan options (March 25) and continues through May 15.  Open enrollment season begins July 1 and will extend to December 31, 2002.  Mr. Paul Forte, Chief Executive Officer of Long Term Care Partners, Inc., the company which is administering the FLTCIP, said his company would conduct extensive educational seminars, satellite broadcasts, and mailings to the estimated 20 million eligible enrollees during the open season.

The FLTCIP policies feature a variety of coverage options including "compound inflation protection," daily benefits, and waiting periods. The June 2002 issue of The Retired Officer Magazine will feature an article on long term care insurance.

Ms. Coles-James pledged that OPM would do all it could to educate federal workers and uniformed service members about the new insurance program: "[Congress] wanted eligible individuals to make sound and well-grounded decisions about whether to purchase long term care insurance.  It charged OPM with conducting a comprehensive educational and enrollment campaign about long term care and long term care insurance."

For more information, federal employees - active and retired including uniformed service members - may call 1-800-LTC-FEDS (1-800-582-3337) or for the hearing impaired (TDD) 1-800-843-3557.  Those who have access to the Internet may visit the Web site at www.LTCFEDS.com.  From there, you can obtain premium rates, application forms and answers to many frequently asked questions.