[Query Concerning Entitlement to Federal Employees Health Benefits]

A decision was requested concerning an Internal Revenue Service employee's claim for reimbursement of additional funds which she had been required to contribute to her federal health benefits plan because of her change from full- to part-time employment. The Federal Employees Part-Time Career Employment Act provides that part-time government employees shall receive a government contribution to their health plans in an amount directly proportional to the percentage of full-time service they regularly perform. However, part-time employees serving before the enactment of this legislation are entitled to continue receiving the full government contribution if the employee continues to serve without a break in service on a part-time basis. GAO found that the employee began working on a part-time basis before the date of the enactment. Therefore, she was exempt from proration under the act and was entitled to continue receiving the full government contribution to her health benefits plan. In addition, GAO found that she was entitled to reimbursement of funds which were erroneously deducted from her salary.