MEDICARE INTEGRATION

The Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 (PSRA) was signed into law in April 2022. Since then, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in conjunction with the Postal Service, has been working to implement a new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, as required under the new law. PSHB is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and will be administered by OPM. Coverage under the PSHB Program will be effective January 1, 2025. We will update this page with information and important links about the PSHB program as they are created.

Video Preview Image for Introduction to the Postal Service Health Benefits Program

Watch this video for an introduction to PSHB and Medicare. It provides background on the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 (PSRA), which created the PSHB Program, a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. It also covers how the PSHB Program integrates with Medicare Part B, and how to enroll through both open season and the one-time PSHB Special Enrollment Period (SEP). For the full five-part educational video series, please visit KeepingPosted.org.

The USPS Benefits and Wellness team will hold Lunch and Learn Seminars about the PSHB Program every other Thursday through December. View the calendar HERE!

The seminars will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern, via Zoom and using passcode 314858 (Webinar ID: 161 422 7062), and from 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern, via Zoom and using passcode 366159 (Webinar ID: 160 320 9569).

Any Questions or Concerns?

Missed the Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period?

According to NARFE:

  •  If you believe you did not receive your SEP notice in the mail, or received it postmarked after the September 30, 2024, SEP deadline, you may still be able to enroll under the SEP through Equitable Relief Inquiries.
  • To submit an Equitable Relief Inquiry, please contact the PSHB Navigator Help Line’s toll-free number at 833-712-PSHB (7742), or email retirementbenefits@usps.gov.
  • According to the Social Security Administration, after contacting USPS,
    • “USPS will provide a letter indicating there was a delay in communication to the annuitant/family member.
    • The USPS letter will serve as proof of equitable relief.
    • The FO technician will need to complete Form SSA-5002 (Report of Contact) to indicate why we are granting equitable relief to the individual.
    • The FO will review the CMS-40B form and proof of eligibility and take the necessary action via POS to process the enrollment request. Scan the SSA-5002, CMS-40B and the USPS letter into EP.
    • The SSA FO technician will add “Equitable Relief- USPS” as a Special Message on the MBR.
    • The WBDOC will route all enrollment requests postmarked after September 30, 2024 to the FO.”
  • More information can be found here. 

MEDICARE INTEGRATION RESOURCES