Postal FEHB enrollees feel ‘angst’ as OPM builds USPS-only (PSHB) health insurance marketplace

  Postal FEHB enrollees feel ‘angst’ as OPM builds USPS-only (PSHB) health insurance marketplace

"A USPS retiree told OPM that, “When I made my decision to retire, I was never told that someday I’d be forced into a different insurance plan that might cover less and cost me more.” “We base our decision to retire on what’s available to us at the time and should never be forced to accept anything less,” the retiree wrote...The agency is creating the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program as a separate entity from the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program, as required under the Postal Service Reform Act signed into law last year. ...Dimondstein, however, said there’s been some “angst” among current retirees..."

Reference: Postal News Group
 

Health benefits -- New law creates Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program for employees, others

  Health benefits -- New law creates program for employees, others

  Note: This information is taken directly from the official United States Postal Service News Link.

The Postal Service reform legislation that President Biden signed into law on April 6 will involve changes to employees’ health and retirement benefits.

USPS understands that employees have many questions, so here are a few things to know:

• The law establishes the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, which will provide health insurance to USPS career employees, retirees and their dependents, beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

• The PSHB program, to be administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, will be structured similarly to the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. The employer/employee cost-sharing contributions for premiums will be determined by the Postal Service’s collective bargaining and pay consultation processes.

• USPS employees and retirees can make their PSHB plan selections during the open season benefits enrollment period that occurs in November and December 2024.

• Beginning in January 2025, the new law will require all newly Medicare-eligible USPS annuitants and their Medicare-eligible covered family members to enroll in Medicare Part B to maintain their postal health coverage.

The Postal Service will provide employees and retirees with more detailed information about the PSHB program in the months to come.

Reference: link.usps.com