OPM | Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program Quick Facts

  Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program Quick Facts

"...The Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program is a separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

PSHB provides health benefits plans to eligible Postal Service employees, Postal Service annuitants, and their eligible family members. Postal Service employees and Postal Service annuitants are no longer eligible to enroll or continue enrollment in an FEHB plan as of January 1, 2025, and must have enrolled in a PSHB plan to maintain health coverage through the Postal Service.

If a Postal Service employee or Postal Service annuitant is covered under a family member’s FEHB plan not through the Postal Service, they can continue that coverage after January 1, 2025.

Former Postal Service employees and their family members who are on Temporary Continuation of Coverage prior to January 1, 2025, through their FEHB plan will continue with that FEHB plan after January 1, 2025...READ MORE"

Reference: www.opm.gov




 

OPM | Open Season is November 10 – December 8, 2025

 

"...Please note: The Federal Benefits Open Season ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on Monday December 8, 2025 for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS). Open Season for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) and Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHB) ends at 11:59 pm, per the location of your electronic enrollment system, on Monday December 8, 2025. ...Visit BENEFEDS.gov"

Reference: www.opm.gov




 

PSHB Part D Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) is Confusing Postal Retirees | Part D or EGWP?

  PSHB Part D Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) is Confusing Postal Retirees | Part D or EGWP?

"..."PSHB Part D EGWP" refers to the "Employer Group Waiver Plan" for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage that is ..."

Reference: Federal NewsGroup




 

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



 

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




 

OPM Announces Resources for Postal Service Health Benefit Program Enrollees

  OPM Announces Resources for Postal Service Health Benefit Program Enrollees

"...WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) today shared new enrollee resources ahead of the inaugural launch of the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program this Open Season. Resources include a new landing page with details for PSHB enrollees; information about auto-enrollment where Postal employees will be automatically transitioned from their current plan to a comparable plan in the new PSHB program; and a page providing information on cost savings for enrollees who are also signed up for Medicare Part B or Medicare Advantage through PSHB. The Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program..."

Reference: www.opm.gov




 

OPM alters its final rule for the postal health benefits plan

  OPM 'tweaks' its final rule for the postal health benefits plan '

"...OPM officials added language to Monday’s rule clarifying that a USPS annuitant or their family member must “promptly notify OPM or the Postal Service, in writing, if they choose not to enroll in or to disenroll from Medicare Part B,” and they removed references tasking the USPS as the entity to receive overseas residency documentation for beneficiaries trying to qualify for an exception to the Part B enrollment requirement “to provide more operational flexibility” to the postal service and OPM. After Jan. 1, retiring USPS annuitants, and their family members, entitled to Medicare Part A coverage must also enroll in Part B coverage as well, unless they meet one of the following exceptions: ..."

Reference: www.govexec.com
 

Further Rules Proposed for Postal Service Health Benefits Program

  Further Rules Proposed for Postal Service Health Benefits Program

"...The proposed rules also address technical issues including financial matters and integration of Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage with the PSHB. ..."

Reference: www.fedweek.com
 

Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program Special Enrollment Period (SEP) April 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2024

  Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program Special Enrollment Period (SEP) April 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2024

"During the PSHB SEP, eligible annuitants and family members may enroll in Medicare Part B without paying a late enrollment penalty. The one-time PSHB SEP is from April 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2024. Individuals eligible for the PSHB SEP will receive notification by U.S. Mail™ in March 2024.

All required information must be returned in the envelope provided and postmarked by Sept. 30, 2024. ...You can get ..."

Reference: www.keepingposted.org