Key Takeaways

1. The Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Open Season runs from November 11, 2024, to December 9, 2024, giving postal workers an opportunity to choose or update their health plans for 2025.
2. It’s critical for USPS employees and annuitants to explore the new health plan options under PSHB to ensure they have the best coverage starting January 1, 2025.

Postal Workers, PSHB Open Season 2024 Is Almost Here — Don’t Miss Out on Important Health Plan Updates

As the year draws to a close, it’s time for Postal Service employees, retirees, and eligible family members to prepare for one of the most significant events in their benefits calendar—the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Open Season, which runs from November 11 to December 9, 2024. This crucial period is the only time each year when enrollees can choose a new health insurance plan or make changes to their existing coverage. Missing this window could mean being automatically enrolled in a plan that might not best meet your needs for 2025. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure you make the most of this opportunity.

What Is the PSHB Open Season?

The PSHB Open Season is the annual period during which Postal Service employees, annuitants, and their dependents can enroll in health benefits, change existing plans, or cancel coverage. This year’s Open Season is particularly important as it marks the introduction of new plan options specifically tailored for USPS employees and retirees under the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, which will replace the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program for this group.

PSHB aims to streamline health benefits for USPS workers while ensuring more tailored coverage options. While the enrollment process may seem routine to some, the upcoming Open Season carries substantial significance due to the changes. Postal workers should not overlook this period if they want the right health coverage starting January 1, 2025.

When Does the PSHB Open Season Occur?

Mark your calendars—November 11 to December 9, 2024—is the critical window for all postal workers, retirees, and eligible dependents to review, select, or update their health plans. This is the only time during the year when participants can actively switch or enroll in a new health plan, unless they experience a qualifying life event such as marriage, birth of a child, or retirement. Missing the Open Season deadline means that enrollees will be automatically placed in a comparable health plan, which may not provide the best coverage options for their situation.

Why Is This Open Season Different from Previous Years?

This year’s PSHB Open Season is more than just an opportunity to tweak your current health plan—it signifies a structural shift in how health benefits are managed for USPS employees and retirees. The new PSHB program was created under federal legislation to provide a more streamlined health plan management system specifically for the Postal Service workforce. This transition means:

• New plan options tailored specifically for postal employees and annuitants.
• A shift away from the traditional FEHB plans that previously covered USPS employees.
• A one-time chance to thoroughly explore these new plan offerings before they take effect in 2025.

Since the shift to PSHB represents a permanent change in how health benefits are administered, it’s essential that postal workers understand their new options and make informed decisions.

Who Is Affected by PSHB?

The PSHB Program impacts nearly 2 million current USPS employees, retirees, and their families. Any postal worker enrolled in FEHB will be automatically transitioned to PSHB in 2025 if no changes are made during the Open Season. However, those newly eligible, such as retirees who are not currently enrolled in Medicare, should pay special attention to how these plans will work in conjunction with other benefits they may be receiving.

Additionally, dependents such as spouses and children under the age of 26 are eligible for coverage under PSHB, making it important for enrollees to review the family plan options as well.

Steps to Take Before the PSHB Open Season

1. Review Your Current Coverage: Take the time to understand your current health plan. Is it meeting your medical and financial needs? Assessing what you liked and disliked about your current plan will help inform your decision on whether to make changes during Open Season.

2. Compare New PSHB Plans: The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will release detailed information on available PSHB plans in October 2024. This will include plan benefits, premium costs, and coverage options. Carefully compare these details to find a plan that aligns with your healthcare needs and budget.

3. Evaluate Coordination with Medicare: If you’re a retiree who’s eligible for Medicare, consider how your PSHB plan will coordinate with Medicare coverage. Some plans may work better with Medicare Parts A and B, so it’s important to understand the integration of benefits.

4. Make Changes Within the Deadline: Once you’ve selected a plan, be sure to finalize your enrollment by December 9, 2024. If no action is taken, USPS employees and retirees will be automatically enrolled in a plan that OPM deems most similar to their current coverage, which might not necessarily be the best option for everyone.

What If You Miss the Open Season?

Missing the Open Season can have significant consequences. If no action is taken, you will be automatically enrolled in a plan that might not fully address your health needs or financial situation. Additionally, you won’t be able to make any changes to your health coverage until the next Open Season in 2025, unless you experience a qualifying life event.

How to Prepare for PSHB Open Season

Preparation is key to making the most of this Open Season. Here are a few things you can do to ensure you’re ready:

• Set a reminder: Put the dates of the Open Season on your calendar and set reminders for key deadlines.
• Gather information: Check the OPM website for updates on the new PSHB plan options and review the materials they provide.
• Speak to HR or benefits specialists: If you have any questions about the new PSHB plans or how they’ll work with your current benefits, contact your HR department or consult a benefits specialist.

Plan Highlights: What Can You Expect?

While specific plan details will be available closer to Open Season, here are some general features you can expect from PSHB plans:

• Variety of coverage levels: Plans will offer different levels of coverage to suit a wide range of needs, from basic plans with lower premiums to more comprehensive plans with higher premiums and greater coverage.
• Preventive care: Like most health plans, PSHB options will include preventive care services at little to no cost, encouraging regular check-ups and screenings.
• Prescription drug coverage: Plans will offer varying levels of coverage for prescription medications, with some plans providing lower out-of-pocket costs for essential medications.
• Coordination with Medicare: For retirees, many PSHB plans will coordinate with Medicare to ensure that benefits are optimized without duplicating coverage.

Important Deadlines and Resources

Don’t forget that December 9, 2024, is the last day to make changes to your health plan for the upcoming year. Missing this deadline means you’ll be locked into your automatically selected plan for all of 2025.

You can find resources, plan comparison tools, and detailed PSHB plan information on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website. Additionally, your USPS HR department can provide guidance on navigating this transition and ensuring you’re making the best choices for you and your family.

Ensuring You Have the Right Coverage for 2025

With the transition to the new PSHB Program, it’s more important than ever to review your health plan options carefully. By taking the time to compare the available plans and understanding how they meet your needs, you can ensure that you’re not caught off guard by unexpected medical costs or inadequate coverage in 2025.

PSHB represents a major change for postal workers, retirees, and their families, so don’t leave your health plan decisions to chance. Take advantage of this year’s Open Season to make informed choices that will set you up for a healthy year ahead.

Ready for 2025? Make the Most of PSHB Open Season

The PSHB Open Season provides an opportunity to secure health benefits that align with your specific needs. With new plan options, it’s crucial that all USPS employees and retirees take this time to explore what’s available, compare the plans, and finalize their selections before the deadline.

Contact Information:
Email: stumphfr@bellsouth.net
Phone: 9319807454

Bio:
Rod began his insurance career in Fort Worth in 1983. He was a successful agent, sales manager, and Regional Manager in Lubbock Texas. Rod moved home to Clarksville TN in 1989 where he became an independent agent working with mostly the senior population. Rod began working in the early 1990s almost exclusively with seniors helping them navigate Medicare along with a new product called Medicare Advantage along with Part D drug plans. Rod has since taken certifications and training to become an expert in helping seniors find the best plans for them. Also about this time, Rod began working with Federal Employees. He soon found out there was a shortage of information for these employees so again Rod became proficient in helping those who needed it most. Now he works with employees at or near retirement when leaving the Postal Service.