Key Takeaways

• With so many PSHB resources available, the challenge in 2025 isn’t finding information—it’s knowing which resources are actually helpful and current.

• Focusing your attention on official communications, enrollment tools, Medicare alignment resources, and support from licensed agents can help you avoid costly missteps.

Start by Identifying the Right Sources

If you’re covered under the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program in 2025, you’re likely being bombarded with brochures, emails, help lines, websites, and newsletters. Not all of them are equally reliable or relevant.

Here’s how to make sure you’re starting with the right materials:

• Use official PSHB channels: These include KeepingPosted.org (for annuitants), LiteBlue (for employees), and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) site.

• Ignore unofficial blogs and forums: While they may offer opinions or anecdotal information, they often lack accuracy and accountability.

• Check the publication date: A resource from 2023 may be outdated. Stick with information published in late 2024 or 2025 to ensure accuracy.

Know What Each Resource Is Designed to Do

Not all PSHB materials are created with the same purpose. Knowing what type of tool you’re using can help you use it correctly.

• Plan Comparison Tools: These let you compare coverage, deductibles, and copayments between available PSHB plans. They do not, however, give personalized advice.

• Benefit Brochures: These are dense but useful. They list benefits, cost-sharing structures, limitations, and exclusions. You’ll often find your exact coinsurance or copay level here.

• Help Lines and Support Centers: Available through OPM and the PSHB Navigator Help Line. They’re good for clarifying terminology, timelines, or enrollment steps.

• Medicare Coordination Guides: Designed for those eligible for Medicare. These explain how PSHB and Medicare Parts A, B, and D interact, which is critical if you’re 65 or older.

Don’t Let Email Overwhelm You

Since the transition to PSHB, many enrollees report an overload of messages from USPS, insurance providers, and third-party marketers. Here’s how to manage it:

• Set up filters in your email to prioritize messages from official PSHB domains (e.g., @opm.gov, @liteblue.usps.gov).

• Watch for key subject lines, especially around September through December—this is when Open Season information is sent out.

• Delete generic newsletters if they aren’t targeted to your PSHB status. If you’re retired, you don’t need employee-only updates.

Get Clear on Medicare Enrollment If You’re 64 or Older

The biggest consequences in 2025 often come from misunderstandings around Medicare coordination. Not every PSHB enrollee needs Medicare, but some must enroll in Medicare Part B to keep their PSHB benefits.

• If you were retired on or before January 1, 2025, you are generally exempt from the mandatory Medicare Part B requirement.

• If you turned 64 before January 1, 2025, you may also be exempt from enrolling in Part B depending on your status.

• If you become eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2025, and are a Postal annuitant or eligible family member, you must enroll in Part B to keep full PSHB coverage.

Use the Medicare-PSHB coordination guides and speak with a licensed agent if you are unsure of your requirement. Missing the enrollment period could leave you with reduced or no coverage.

Take Full Advantage of KeepingPosted and LiteBlue

These platforms aren’t just for Open Season. They can help year-round, provided you know what you’re looking for.

KeepingPosted.org (For Retirees)

• Offers PSHB plan brochures, enrollment tools, FAQs, and contact links.

• Includes personalized messages and alerts based on your eligibility and coverage status.

• Check the portal at least quarterly, especially before and during Open Season.

LiteBlue (For Current Employees)

• Houses plan information, paycheck deduction breakdowns, and PSHB transition updates.

• Login is required with your employee ID and password.

• You’ll find the Enrollment Wizard here, which is vital during Open Season.

Understand the Calendar—Deadlines Matter More Than Ever

The PSHB transition has introduced new time-sensitive actions. Missing a window can mean delayed or denied coverage.

Important Periods to Know:

• Medicare Part B SEP (Special Enrollment Period): Ended September 30, 2024, for most enrollees. If you missed this, you must wait until the next General Enrollment Period.

• PSHB Open Season: Occurs each year from November to December. This is when you can switch plans, enroll, or make changes.

• Turning 65 in 2025? You have a 7-month Medicare Initial Enrollment Period starting 3 months before your 65th birthday.

• Qualifying Life Events (QLEs): Let you make changes outside of Open Season for events like marriage, birth, or retirement. Use the resources on KeepingPosted or LiteBlue to report a QLE.

Don’t Just Compare Premiums—Understand the Whole Picture

One common mistake when using comparison tools is focusing only on monthly premium costs. In reality, total healthcare expenses depend on multiple factors:

• Deductibles: Can range from $350 to over $2,000 depending on the plan type.

• Out-of-pocket maximums: In 2025, these are capped at $7,500 for Self Only and $15,000 for Self Plus One or Self and Family in-network.

• Prescription tiers: A drug you use may fall into a higher tier in one plan than another, increasing your costs.

• Coordination with Medicare: Some PSHB plans offer reduced cost-sharing if you have Medicare Part B. Check your plan brochure.

Where Licensed Agents Fit Into the Picture

You’re not expected to do all of this alone. While plan brochures and tools provide the structure, a licensed agent gives context and advice.

• They can help interpret PSHB rules in relation to your specific situation.

• They stay up-to-date on changes to enrollment policy, cost-sharing rules, and Medicare coordination.

• They can walk you through enrollment if you’re confused or overwhelmed during Open Season or due to a life event.

Avoid Common Resource Pitfalls

Not all resources help. Some can actually hurt your decision-making if you’re not careful. Here’s what to steer clear of:

• Outdated PDFs: Always check the footer for the year. If it says 2023 or earlier, discard it.

• Unofficial Facebook groups or forums: These often contain personal opinions, misinformation, or assumptions that don’t apply to your case.

• Marketing emails from non-official sources: These are not regulated or required to be accurate. Stick with official communications.

Making Sense of PSHB Materials in 2025

You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed by the amount of PSHB material out there. But by using official tools, understanding the type of resource you’re consulting, and knowing when to ask for help, you can make confident, informed decisions about your healthcare.

Get Help Navigating Your PSHB Choices

2025 brings more choices—and more potential mistakes—than any previous year in the Postal Service health system. Don’t try to interpret every document alone. If you’re unsure about what counts as credible information, or how your Medicare eligibility ties into your PSHB plan, it’s time to ask.

Get in touch with a licensed agent listed on this website for help. They can guide you through resources, eligibility rules, enrollment periods, and cost estimates based on your specific situation.