Last updated September 20, 2024
When to use:
The Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program benefits start January 1, 2025.
The PSHB is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. Administration of the program is still under Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
PSHB and Medicare:
Medicare will be primary to the PSBH coverage.
Advantage Plans:
If the retiree decides to carry Medicare Part C coverage, they will NOT be enrolled in a PSHB plan.
- They can suspend their PSHB plan. Don’t cancel it. Once cancelled they cannot get it back.
- If they suspend the PSHB plan, then they can pick it back up if the Medicare Advantage plan is discontinued or if they decide to cancel the Medicare Advantage plan enrollment
Before opting to select a privately offered plan through Medicare Part C, be sure to review the Medicare Advantage plans offered by the PSHB Program.
- PSHB plan offerings may mirror or provide greater coverage options.
- The PSHB plans will be announced in October, 2024.
Part D:
Medicare Part D is included in all PSHB plans for Medicare eligible participants.
- There is no sperate premium for this coverage.
If the caller enrolls into Part D outside of PSHB, they will have a monthly premium.
Steps staff should take:
- Obtain caller’s information.
- Where is the caller at in the process? Received letter, requested a SEP, received a SEP and Part B is set to start, etc?
- Is the person an annuitant (retired) or an employee?
Key counseling points for annuitants:
- Review the notification letter to see if Part B enrollment is mandatory or optional. Failing to enroll if Part B is mandatory could result in a loss of health insurance coverage.
- Those enrolling in Part B during the PSHB SEP will need to:
- Complete the CMS 40B form provided with the notification letter from the Postal Service. The provided CMS 40B will have some fields completed. Information on dates of employment does not need to be filled out on the form.
- Mail back the completed CMS 40B and the notification letter (or copy of) using the envelope provided.
- Ensure the information is mailed back by September 30, 2024.
- Annuitants who are unsure if they wish to enroll in Part B without seeing the new PSHB plans can enroll in Part B now and then opt out before December 31, 2024. Annuitants can only opt out by contacting SSA.
- If annuitants have additional questions or concerns, they can:
- Contact the PSHB Navigator Help Line at 1-833-712-7742, or email retirementbenefits@usps.gov
- Visit KeepingPosted.org
- Attend a virtual lunch n’ learns, available every other Thursday from now through the end of the year. Times, dates, and Zoom links are available at KeepingPosted.org.
Part B - Annuitant (retirees) and their spouses:
Many postal worker annuitants (retirees) did not enroll in Medicare Part B when they turned 65 because they didn’t need it with their FEHB (Federal Employees Health Benefits) plan.
The new PSHB allows annuitants and covered spouses a one-time special enrollment period (SEP) allowing them to enroll in Part B without any late enrollment penalties (penalties will be paid by the Postal Service).
As part of the new PSHB, enrollment in Medicare Part B will be mandatory for many. For some, it may be optional. See the chart below for more details:
| IF YOU… | AND… | THEN YOU… |
| are retired and entitled to Medicare Part A before January 1st, 2024 | you have NOT enrolled in Medicare Part B | and your covered, eligible family members may be able to participate in the Medicare Part B SEP* from April 1st to September 30th, 2024. You should receive a letter in March 2024 about your eligibility for this SEP to enroll in Part B and skip the late enrollment penalty. |
| are retired as of January 1st, 2025 | you are NOT currently enrolled in Medicare Part B | are NOT required to enroll in Medicare Part B to continue your PSHB health insurance coverage. |
| are retired as of January 1st, 2025 | you are already currently enrolled in Medicare Part B | ARE required to remain enrolled in Medicare Part B to continue PSHB coverage, unless you meet one of the exceptions. |
| retire on or after January 1st, 2025 | you are under age 64 | will be REQUIRED to enroll in Medicare Part B when you become eligible for Medicare in order to remain in a PSHB plan. |
| are still an active postal worker employee | you are age 64+ as of January 1, 2025 | are NOT required to enroll in Medicare Part B to continue in the PSHB program when you retire. |
| are still an active postal worker employee | you are under age 64 as of January 1, 2025 | will be REQUIRED to enroll in Medicare Part B to continue PSHB coverage once you are entitled to Medicare Part A and retired. |
Spouses:
Covered spouses must do whatever the annuitant in their family does.
- If the annuitant is required to enroll in Medicare Part B, so is the covered spouse (or any Medicare-eligible family members).
- If the annuitant chooses to use the SEP to enroll in Medicare Part B, the family members will need to do the same in order to continue coverage.
There are some exceptions to the Part B enrollment requirement (and any exceptions that apply to an annuitant would apply to covered family members too).
If someone retires after January 1st, 2025, and they meet one of these exceptions, then they would not be required to enroll in Part B:
- They are an active Postal Service employee as of January 1st, 2025, who is at least 64 years old; or
- They have proof they live outside the United States and its territories; or
- They are enrolled in health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
- They are eligible for health services provided by the Indian Health Service.
Frequently asked questions:
What if I didn't get my notification letter in the mail?
If you have not received a notice in the mail by April 15, 2024, contact the PSHB Navigator Help Line at 1-833-712-7742, or email retirementbenefits@usps.gov.
What if I lost my notification letter?
Contact the PSHB Navigator Help Line at 1-833-712-7742, or email retirementbenefits@usps.gov.
What if I think I am eligible to participate in the PSHB, but did not receive a notification letter?
Contact PSHB Navigator Help Line at 1-833-712-7742 or email retirementbenefits@usps.gov.
What if I enroll in Part B and then change my mind?
Any annuitant who enrolls during the SEP, and then changes their mind, can rescind enrollment in Part B. This must be done before December 31, 2024, and can only be done by calling or visiting a local SSA office.
Can I call or go back to a Social Security Office instead of mailing back the notification letter?
No, you must mail back the notification letter per instructions provided with the letter.
Do I have to enroll in Part B?
Your notification letter will inform you whether the decision to enroll in Part B is optional or mandatory. If your notice letter states your enrollment in Part B during the PSHB is optional, then you do not have to enroll. However, if in the future you wished to enroll in Part B, you would be responsible for paying all late enrollment penalties.
For some covered family members who are Medicare eligible, enrollment in Part B may be mandatory – and failing to enroll could mean the loss of your health insurance coverage.
Where can I get more information?
Contact the PSHB Navigator Help Line at 1-833-712-7742, or email retirementbenefits@usps.gov.
Visit KeepingPosted.org.
Attend virtual lunch n’ learns, available every other Thursday through the end of the year. Times, dates, and links available at KeepingPosted.org.
Understanding the Postal Service Health Benefits Program handbook