Onboarding: Health Insurance for Clinical Fellows
Welcome Clinical Fellows!
In this section you'll find information and tools to help you select a health insurance plan under the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program.
Your health insurance coverage is not automatic. You have 60 days from your effective date of hire to enroll in a federal health plan. The earlier you decide on your health insurance plan, the sooner your election coverage will begin!
ECFMG J-1 Physicians only: the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (22 CFR § 62.14) mandates that all J-1 exchange visitors and accompanying J-2 dependents secure comprehensive health insurance effective on the program start date indicated on Form DS-2019 and maintain coverage, without interruption, for the full duration of stay in the United States in J-1 status. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact NIH Division of International Services at [email protected] for further assistance.
How to submit
For the July 2026 onboarding, visit the New employee benefits enrollment page. After you have entrance on duty (EOD) and have additional question please contact your assigned Human Resources Assistant and copy [email protected] to your email. Title the email "Clinical Fellow 2026".
These elections cannot be made prior to your EOD.. You will have 60 days from your effective hire date to make an election for FEHB and FEGLI. Employees who choose to cover eligible family members must provide supporting documentation along with the FEHB Enrollment Form to the Benefits Office to verify family member eligibility.
For more information about all your benefits refer to the new employee benefits enrollment page.
Effective dates
Your health insurance is effective the pay period after you submit your paperwork.
The following table shows how soon you may receive health insurance based on your submission dates.
| If you submit ... | Your coverage begins ... |
|---|---|
| July 1 - 11 | July 12 * The earliest your health insurance can be effective is July 12th. For the earliest effective date, you must sign and submit your form in onboarding manager between July 1st – July 11th. |
| July 12 - 25 | July 26 |
| July 26 - August 08 | August 9 |
| August 9 - 22 | August 24 |
| August 23 - 5 | September 6 |
The earliest your health insurance election can be effective is July 12th. Contact your employer (prior to NIH) to determine when your health insurance terminates. If necessary, ask how you may utilize COBRA or if you are able to extend your coverage for an additional 31 days.
*If you utilize COBRA or an extension in coverage, work with the Benefits Office to coordinate the effective date of your NIH health insurance coverage to avoid any lapse in coverage.
New employee benefits enrollment
New employee benefits enrollment
Important information on all your Federal Benefits. Please note the timeframe to submit your elections as a new hire.
Benefits Office Address
NIH/OHR/Retirement and Employee Benefits Branch
31 Center Drive, Room 1B37
Bethesda, MD 20892
Email: [email protected]
Phone (301) 496-2404
Fax: (301) 402-5506
Resources
- Healthcare Plan Comparison Tool - Compare health plans to determine what works best for you and your family
- Federal Benefits FastFacts - Addresses frequently asked questions
- Payroll Calendar- View pay period dates
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