With certain exceptions, those retiring from the USPS after this calendar year must enroll in Medicare Part B and pay its premiums. Image: Matt Gush/Shutterstock.com
OPM has launched (at www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/pshb) an information site for the Postal Service Health Benefits program that will replace the FEHB for postal employees and retirees effective in January.
“PSHB plans will cover the same set of comprehensive health benefits included in FEHB plans. PSHB plans will be offered by many of the same carriers that offer FEHB plans,” it says. The number of PSHB plans will be much smaller; however, they cover the large majority of postal employees and retirees now in the FEHB.
As stated previously, the initial open season for electing PSHB coverage will run concurrent with the FEHB open season November 11-December 9, with the same options to change plans or types of coverage. Coverage terms and premiums under both programs could be announced at any time.
“Enrollees are encouraged to review all available plans to choose a plan that best fits their needs,” it says, adding that those currently enrolled in the FEHB “will get a letter prior to the 2024 Open Season that provides information on the PSHB plan they’ll automatically be enrolled in” if they make no choice.
It also stresses differences between the programs, including that with certain exceptions, those retiring from the USPS after this calendar year must enroll in Medicare Part B and pay its premiums. The exceptions include current employees who are age 64 or older before January 1; those living outside the United States or its territories; and those eligible for certain health benefits from the VA or Indian Health Service.
“Many 2025 PSHB plans will offer cost savings to their enrollees who are also enrolled in Medicare. Examples of cost savings may include Part B premium reimbursement, waived deductibles, and waived cost-sharing for certain medical services,” it says.
Further, it says, PSHB carriers will provide Medicare-eligible annuitants and their Medicare-eligible family members pharmacy coverage through Medicare Part D—like Part B, many retirees have not enrolled in that aspect of Medicare because of duplication with FEHB benefits.
That coverage “may be available through either a standalone prescription drug plan (PDP) or a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD), if available. The PDP would provide pharmacy benefits only, while the MAPD, if available, would provide all Medicare coverage for the individual, including inpatient, outpatient, physician services, and pharmacy coverage,” it says.
The page also calls attention to the “special enrollment period” ending September 30 in which postal retirees eligible for Medicare Part B but not currently enrolled can join that program without paying the surcharge that normally applies for enrolling more than three months beyond initial eligibility.
It also notes that for retirees the PSHB plan year will run concurrent with the calendar year as it does under the FEHB. That also will be the case for postal employees, in contrast to the FEHB where a plan year begins with the first full pay period of the year.
It further provides details for “special populations” such as injury compensationers, surviving spouses, former spouses, and those eligible for temporary continuation of coverage, including those leaving federal service and covered family members who lose coverage on reaching age 26.
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