Open Season under the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program

  Open Season under the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program

Open Season for health benefits is here!

It runs Nov. 11 through Dec. 9, and it marks the first Open Season under the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program.

What You Need to Know:

Automatic Enrollment: If your current health plan is transitioning to PSHB, you’ll be automatically enrolled in the same plan for 2025. No action needed unless you wish to switch. Make Changes: If your plan is not participating in PSHB, you must choose a new plan during this Open Season, or you’ll be automatically enrolled in a basic nationwide option.

Below are recent materials sent from OPM. Use them to help you set up your login.gov account and navigate the enrollment site. More information will be provided here as it becomes available.

Experiencing issues with login.gov? Try Form 2809! Postal Service Health Benefits program enrollment can be facilitated by completing form SF2809, Health Benefits Election Form, accessible on the OPM website and MyHR.USPS.gov. If more assistance is needed, click here.

Reference: www.nalc.org

...JOIN THE MAIL HANDLER BENEFIT PLAN



 

Letter carriers are encouraging coworkers to vote 'NO' on new USPS contract offer to union, arguing it's still not a fair deal

  Letter carriers are encouraging coworkers to vote 'NO' on new USPS contract offer to union, arguing it's still not a fair deal

"...TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Sunday, a group of United States postal service employees gathered to protest their displeasure with USPS' latest contract offer to the National Association of Letter Carriers union. ...postal workers said they don't approve of the tentative labor agreement as it stands. They argue the terms don't reflect a significant increase in pay, better working conditions, and more favorable hours. ...“Those wages are just not good enough to attract people to do what is a very physically demanding and stressful job,” Owen said. “Brand new people at the post office, they don’t get the same benefits as regular carriers," Willits said. "They don’t get very good pay. They get terrible hours." The agreement would let some workers clock out after working 11.5 hours a day or 60 hours in a week"

Reference: www.kgun9.com




 

An employee group is miffed by the new Postal Service insurance program’s Medicare Part D coverage

  An employee group is miffed by the new Postal Service insurance program’s Medicare Part D coverage

"...OPM said that they were restricted in how they provide prescription drug benefits to Medicare-eligible enrollees in the new Postal Service Health Benefits Program, but at least one employee association disagrees. ...The first Open Season in which postal workers can elect their coverage for next year runs from Nov. 11 to Dec. 9.

In a last-minute tweak to regulations governing the program and its implementation this fall, the Office of Personnel Management published a final rule in the Federal Register last week clarifying provisions governing reconsideration of eligibility decisions, the law’s Medicare Part B enrollment requirement and integrating the Medicare Part D prescription drug program into PSHBP.

That last provision is the source of this week’s controversy. OPM’s rule states that, unlike in FEHBP, Congress intentionally funneled Medicare-eligible postal workers and retirees into insurance coverage that includes a Medicare Part D employer group waiver plan, or EGWP

.

“While the PSHB is included under the FEHB Program umbrella, PSHB is subject to distinct statutory requirements, including those governing the requirement to offer a PDP EGWP and to integrate Medicare Part D benefits,” OPM wrote. “When enacting the PSRA, Congress was addressing specific policy goals, including increasing enrollment in Medicare by USPS annuitants and promoting long-term financial health for the PSHB program, which require certain variances from policies that are generally applicable in the FEHB program.”"

Reference: www.govexec.com




 

U.S. Postal Service audit reveals significant delays, operational issues in several Alabama cities

  U.S. Postal Service audit reveals significant delays, operational issues in several Alabama cities

"...An audit by the U.S. Postal Service has revealed significant mail delays and operational issues in the Alabama-Mississippi district, particularly in Center Point, Northport, and Tuscaloosa. The audit, completed in October, noted that none of the three branches used proper forms to record delayed mail. ..."

Reference: www.wvtm13.com




 

Alabama | 18-wheeler hauling chickens collides with mail carrier in Morgan Co

  18-wheeler hauling chickens collides with mail carrier in Morgan Co

"...Chief Ennis told WAFF that the mail carrier was flown to Huntsville Hospital, where she is in “serious condition.”

Officials said the truck driver is okay. Officials are currently working with Wayne Farms to gather all the chickens that fell out. ..."

Reference: www.waff.com
Tags: Wayne Farms, Huntsville Hospital,



 

Amazon | ACCUTECK All-in-1 Series W-8250-50bs A-Pt 50 Digital Shipping Postal Scale with Ac Adapter

  ACCUTECK All-in-1 Series W-8250-50bs A-Pt 50 Digital Shipping Postal Scale with Ac Adapter

About this item:

Fold Up Mailer Holder-Stand upright to 90 degrees for rolling tubes and irregular packages.Use AC adapter, the scale will be always power on, Self-Calibration Technology: Does not require a 50lbs weight.

Capacity-up to 50lbs; Sensitivity-0.1oz（0-25lb);0.2oz(25-50lb); Reading Modes-Pounds/ounces, ounces, kilograms/grams, grams
Key Functions-Tare(Allow you to reset the display to 0.0); Hold (Especially for Weighing a over-sized item)
Self-Calibration Technology-Does not require a 50lbs weight. You can choose any known weight starting from 5 lbs for calibration purpose. Use AC adapter, the scale will be always power on

Reference: Amazon