New Postal Reform Bill

The Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 (H.R.3076), was introduced May 11th by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, D-NY.
The bill would create a new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program beginning in January 2023, and would provide separate health plans for postal employees and retirees, parallel to current FEHB plans. For example, there would be a Blue Cross/Blue Shield Standard plan for Feds and a separate one for postal employees and retirees. The bill requires coverage in each to be “actuarially equivalent”, so that each plan covers a similar amount of expected costs.
The good news is that this bill would preserve the choice for postal retirees regarding Medicare Part B enrollment. However, choosing not to enroll in Medicare would require current postal retirees to remain in the FEHB program. If a postal retiree enrolls in the PSHB program, that retiree must enroll in Medicare Part B. For those ages 65 or older without Medicare, the bill also provides a new opportunity to enroll in Medicare Part B without a late penalty. Postal retirees younger than 65 would have the option to enroll in either a FEHB or PSHB plan. But once a retiree is eligible for Medicare (age 65), enrollment in Medicare would be required upon enrollment in a PSHB plan, and that retiree cannot go back to an FEHB plan. Current employees would be required to enroll in Medicare once they turn age 65 and are retired.

Mandatory Stand-Up Talk

Verify Eligible Family Member Enrollments for FEHB

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is requiring all federal agencies to verify eligible family members, who are enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, also known as FEHB.
This means that the Postal Service, the Office of Personnel Management, and insurance companies that offer FEHB plans can request proof of family member eligibility from an employee at any time for existing self plus one and self and family enrollments.
To comply with this regulation, postal service employees who are currently enrolled in FEHB coverage must take the time to verify the eligibility for any or all family members covered under their FEHB enrollment. Eligible family members include your current spouse, your children under age 26, including adopted children, stepchildren and foster children under certain circumstances, and adult children incapable of self support because of a mental or physical disability that existed before age 26.
Any changes in the status of eligible family members must be done using the PostalEaseFEHB worksheet (USPS-24).
The updated form must be mailed or faxed to the USPS Human Resources Shared Service Center by August 31st at this address: HRSSC/Benefits, PO Box 970400, Greensboro, NC 27497-0400.
The completed form can also be faxed to 651-994-3543. If you have questions, call the HRSSC at 877-477-3273.
Thank you for the great job you do every day.

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