Open Season is a period of time when members of the United States Postal Service and federal workforce have a chance to review and update health insurance benefits for the upcoming year.
As you weigh your options, it’s important to ask yourself a number of questions:
- Are my doctors in the health plan network?
- How much are the biweekly or monthly premiums?
- What is the plan deductible for in-network care?
- What is the deductible for out-of-network care?
- How much is the copay for an office visit?
- What is the copay for prescription drugs?
- What is maximum out-of-pocket cost for the plan?
The answers to these questions can help make sure you have the health insurance coverage you and your family need.
When shopping for a plan, the APWU Health Plan find your plan tool makes it easy for you to compare your options and choose a health plan for the upcoming year.
When is Open Season?
Open Season is sponsored by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and runs each year from the Monday of the second full work week in November through the Monday of the second full work week in December.
Whether you’re covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program or the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, you can make changes to your coverage for the upcoming year at any point during Open Season.
If you’re an active federal employee and current member of APWU Health Plan under the FEHB Program and want to keep your coverage, you don’t need to do anything. You’ll be automatically re-enrolled in your existing plan.
For coverage beginning on January 1, 2025, Postal Service workers who are currently enrolled in the High Option or Consumer Driven Option under the FEHB Program will be automatically enrolled in the equivalent plan under the PSHB Program.
You can also compare and shop for a different plan, if you choose, and enroll in your new plan through the PSHB Open Season enrollment system.
Changing health plans outside of Open Season
You may be able to enroll in an APWU Health Plan outside of Open Season if you have a qualifying life event (QLE). These events include things like getting married, having a baby, getting divorced, or losing your existing health coverage.
New postal or federal employees have 60 days to select a health plan. This 60-day window applies throughout the year, whether or not it’s Open Season.
Contact APWU Health Plan if you have questions about Open Season enrollment
Our customer service team is here to help you:
1-800-PIC-APWU (Open Season)
1-800-222-APWU (2798)
1-800-622-2511 (TTY)
8:30 am – 6:30 pm ET
Monday – Friday
If the Health Plan is experiencing a high call volume, you can schedule a call back, 9 am – 6:30 pm ET, Monday – Friday.
