Access to comprehensive, affordable health insurance is one of the key benefits of working for the United States Postal Service. As a national preferred provider organization (PPO) that offers both a fee-for-service High Option and a Consumer Driven Option, APWU Health Plan has covered America’s workforce under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program since 1960. The Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program is a new health plan within FEHB that covers eligible Postal Service employees, retirees, and family members.
What is the Postal Service Health Benefits Program?
The PSHB Program is a group-sponsored health insurance plan within FEHB, administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). PSHB will provide health insurance to eligible U.S. Postal Service employees, retirees (also known as annuitants), and family members starting January 1, 2025.
While PSHB plans will replace FEHB plans for these groups, PSHB plans will cover the same set of comprehensive health benefits included in FEHB plans.
OPM has been working with the Postal Service to implement the PSHB Program since the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 was signed into law. The act places the Postal Service on a path toward financial stability by adding much-needed transparency to the organization and enacting Medicare integration, among other provisions.
Postal Service employees and retirees need to enroll in a PSHB health plan
U.S. Postal Service employees and retirees are no longer eligible for FEHB coverage as of January 1, 2025, and need to enroll in a PSHB plan. In addition, certain Postal Service retirees and Medicare-eligible family members are required to enroll in Medicare Part B after January 1, 2025, in order to maintain PSHB coverage.
Active Postal Service employees who elect federal health insurance coverage must get it through the new PSHB Program starting in 2025. However, if you’re covered under a family member’s FEHB plan, you may remain in that plan.
Enroll in your new PSHB health plan during Open Season
Your first opportunity to select a PSHB health plan will be during the OPM-sponsored Open Season, which runs November 11 to December 9, 2024. Open Season is a period of time when members of the postal and federal workforce have a chance to review and update health insurance benefits for the upcoming year.
If you’re a member of APWU Health Plan and don’t select a new plan, you will be automatically enrolled in a PSHB plan that is similar to your existing FEHB plan during the Open Season period. For example, if you currently have the High Option with coverage for yourself plus one dependent under the FEHB Program, you will be enrolled in the High Option with coverage for yourself plus one dependent under the PSHB Program.
PSHB health plans work with other federal benefits programs
Enrolling in a PSHB plan will not affect your enrollment in other federal government-sponsored 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)
- Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)
The PSHB Program is integrated with Medicare
A key feature of the PSHB Program is its integration with Medicare Part B. Participating in Medicare allows you to realize the benefits of the taxes you paid as an employee. Integrating PSHB coverage with Medicare may also reduce your overall costs for healthcare expenses.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for:
- People 65 years of age and older
- Some people with eligible disabilities under age 65
- People with end-stage renal disease
As an active employee, you are not required to enroll in Medicare while employed with the Postal Service. However, if you are nearing retirement, now is the time to learn how PSHB health plans work with Medicare.
While the PSHB Program includes Medicare Part B enrollment requirements for certain employees once they retire, others may qualify for an exception.
APWU Health Plan also offers a Medicare Advantage plan for High Option retirees covered by Medicare Part A and Part B. The UnitedHealthcare® Medicare Advantage (PPO) for APWU Health Plan enhances your PSHB Program coverage by reducing or eliminating cost-sharing for services.
To qualify for enhanced Medicare Advantage benefits you must be retired, enrolled in APWU Health Plan High Option, and enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. To find out if you’re eligible to enroll in the Medicare Advantage plan, call:
Medicare Advantage
1-855-383-8793
711 (TTY)
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. CT
Monday – Friday
Find answers to your questions about the PSHB Program
If you have questions about the PSHB Program, contact customer support by phone or email:
PSHB Helpline
1-844-451-1261
7 am – 8:45 pm ET
Monday – Friday
Active postal employees
Contact USPS by email:
retirementbenefits@usps.gov
All others
Contact the PSHB Helpline by email:
PSHBHelpline@opm.gov
PSHB Program information and resources are also available online:
Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program
Access key information about the PSHB Program.
Automatic enrollment for 2025 PSHB health plans
View 2025 PSHB plan options for current FEHB members.
Keeping Posted
Find news and reports, useful resources, and tools for USPS retirees.
Introduction to the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program
Watch a five-part series of educational videos created by the U.S. Postal Service.
