[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 48, Volume 6]
[Revised as of October 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 48CFR1602.170-13]

[Page 120]
 
            TITLE 48--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM
 
  CHAPTER 16--OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH 
                     BENEFITS ACQUISITION REGULATION
 
PART 1602_DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS--Table of Contents
 
                Subpart 1602.1_Definitions of FEHBP Terms
 
Sec. 1602.170-13  Similarly sized subscriber groups.

    (a) Similarly sized subscriber groups (SSSGs) are a comprehensive 
medical plan carrier's two employer groups that:
    (1) As of the date specified by OPM in the rate instructions, have a 
subscriber enrollment closest to the FEHBP subscriber enrollment; and,
    (2) Use any rating method other than retrospective experience 
rating; and,
    (3) Meet the criteria specified in the rate instructions issued by 
OPM.
    (b) Any group with which an FEHB carrier enters into an agreement to 
provide health care services is a potential SSSG (including separate 
lines of business, government entities, groups that have multi-year 
contracts, and groups having point-of-service products).
    (c) Exceptions to the general rule stated in paragraph (b) of this 
section are (and the following groups must be excluded from SSSG 
consideration):
    (1) Groups the carrier rates by the method of retrospective 
experience rating;
    (2) Groups consisting of the carrier's own employees;
    (3) Medicaid groups, Medicare groups, and groups that have only a 
stand alone benefit (such as dental only);
    (4) A purchasing alliance whose rate-setting is mandated by the 
State or local government.
    (d) OPM shall determine the FEHBP rate by selecting the lower of the 
two rates derived by using rating methods consistent with those used to 
derive the SSSG rates.

[62 FR 47574, Sept. 10, 1997]