Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program FAQs
The Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) which will provide health insurance to eligible Postal Service employees, Postal Service annuitants, and their eligible family members starting in 2025. The PSHB Program coverage will replace Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) Program coverage for these groups.
USPS has issued fact sheets on the PSHB program – one for current Postal employees, and one for Postal annuitants. Visiting these links will bring you to a USPS-owned website.
The team at OPM, in conjunction with the United States Postal Service (Postal Service), is working tirelessly to help ensure a seamless transition and positive experience for Postal Service employees, Postal Service annuitants, and their families.
What to Know Right Now
According to the law, Postal Service employees, Postal Service annuitants, and their family members who are currently eligible for coverage under the FEHB Program will be eligible for coverage under the PSHB Program.
Not immediately. Employees, annuitants, and eligible family members may continue to participate in the FEHB Program for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 plan years. Their current FEHB enrollment will continue unless they make any changes prior to January 2025. OPM and the Postal Service will continue to provide updates leading up to the 2024 PSHB Open Season to help ensure a smooth transition for all eligible employees and annuitants.
The first opportunity to select a PSHB plan will take place during Open Season in late 2024, and coverage under the PSHB health benefits program coverage will begin January 2025.
Eligible Postal Service employees and Postal Service annuitants must enroll in a PSHB plan during the PSHB Program Open Season in late 2024. Postal Service employees and Postal Service annuitants currently enrolled in FEHB plans who do not enroll in a new PSHB plan during Open Season in 2024 will automatically be enrolled in a PSHB plan.
Enrollment in a PSHB plan will not disrupt enrollment in other insurance and benefits programs, including:
- Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
- Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS)
- Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), or
- Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)
While Postal Service employees, Postal Service annuitants, and their eligible family members will remain in the FEHB Program, for coverage effective January 1, 2025, they will no longer be able to remain in an FEHB plan. During Open Season in 2024, eligible individuals must enroll or will be automatically enrolled in a Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) plan, within the FEHB Program, in order to receive health insurance based upon their active employment with or retirement from the Postal Service.
No. If a family member of a Postal Service employee or Postal Service annuitant meets the eligibility requirements for enrollment in an FEHB plan, such as through qualifying employment with the Federal government, the PSRA will not affect their eligibility to enroll in an FEHB plan or affect their ability to cover their eligible family members.
Yes. Most Postal Service annuitants and their eligible family members who are entitled to Medicare Part A will be eligible to enroll in Medicare Part B during a six-month special enrollment period (SEP). Individuals who qualify for the SEP will receive a separate notification prior to April 1, 2024, in accordance with the PSRA.
Yes. Subject to limited exceptions, Postal Service annuitants and their family members who are entitled to Medicare Part A must enroll in Medicare Part B to be eligible to continue PSHB coverage.