Insurance

Below is a brief article on enrolling in the new PSHB Program, which begins January 1, 2025.

For more information, please contact: NRLCA Director of Insurance Programs, Lynne Paller at (lpaller@nrlca.org<mailto:lpaller@nrlca.org>).

NEW FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFIT PROGRAM The Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program is a new, separate health insurance program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program that will provide coverage to eligible United States Postal Service (USPS) employees, annuitants, and their family members effective January 1, 2025. PSHB plan coverage begins January 1, 2025, and Postal Service employees and annuitants can enroll during the 2024 Federal Benefits Open Season from November 11 through December 9, 2024.

The PSHB program will have no impact on Postal Service employees’ and annuitants’ dental, vision, life insurance, Flexible Spending Account, or long-term care coverage.

In the initial year of PSHB enrollment, Postal Service employees and annuitants who are enrolled in FEHB coverage during the 2024 plan year will be automatically enrolled in a PSHB plan that is the same as or similar to their 2024 FEHB plan, to the extent one is offered. Current RCBP members will automatically be enrolled in RCBP for the 2025 plan year. However, we encourage everyone to verify this in the enrollment platform during open season.

Postal Service employees and annuitants can make PSHB plan selections and enroll during the 2024 Open Season through a new enrollment platform, the Postal Service Health Benefits System (PSHBS). The PSHBS will be used specifically for health benefits enrollment and will require a login.gov account. Visit www.login.gov<http://www.login.gov> for more information how to set up an account. Information on how to login and enroll will be provided to employees and annuitants before the 2024 Open Season period. Alternate methods of enrollment for the PSHB Program will also be provided.

We expect OPM to release 2025 rates in the beginning of October. Be sure to keep an eye out for future mailings announcing the 2025 RCBP premiums, as well as NRLCA’s website (www.nrlca.org<http://www.nrlca.org>), NRLCA social media, RCBP’s public website (www.rcbphealth.com<http://www.rcbphealth.com>)and OPM’s website (www.opm.gov<http://www.opm.gov>).

If you are not enrolled in the Rural Carrier Benefit Plan (RCBP), we encourage you to compare the premiums and benefits to your current health plan. In some cases, you could save a lot of money and/or improve the health benefits you receive!