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OPM.gov / Insurance / Postal Service Health Benefits Program / How to Use PSHBS /
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Helpful Information

Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program Quick Facts

  • The Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program is a separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
  • PSHB provides health benefits plans to eligible Postal Service employees, Postal Service annuitants, and their eligible family members.
  • Postal Service employees and Postal Service annuitants are no longer eligible to enroll or continue enrollment in an FEHB plan as of January 1, 2025, and must have enrolled in a PSHB plan to maintain health coverage through the Postal Service.
  • If a Postal Service employee or Postal Service annuitant is covered under a family member’s FEHB plan not through the Postal Service, they can continue that coverage after January 1, 2025.
  • Former Postal Service employees and their family members who are on Temporary Continuation of Coverage prior to January 1, 2025, through their FEHB plan will continue with that FEHB plan after January 1, 2025.

PSHB Plans vs. FEHB Plans:

  • As part of the FEHB Program, PSHB plans cover the same set of comprehensive health benefits included in FEHB plans. PSHB plans are offered by many of the same carriers that offer FEHB plans.
  • There are a few important differences for PSHB enrollees:
    • The PSHB plan year runs from January 1 through December 31 each year. This is the same for annuitants covered by FEHB, but different from the FEHB plan year for employees, which begins on the first day of the first full pay period in January each year.
    • As required by the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 (PSRA), certain Medicare-eligible Postal Service annuitants and their Medicare-eligible family members must enroll in Medicare Part B to remain enrolled in a PSHB plan. There are some exceptions to this requirement.

Other Insurance and Benefits Programs

PSHB is not a participant in FSAFEDS. Enrollment in a PSHB Plan does not change availability of or enrollment in other insurance and benefits programs, including:

  • Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
  • Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
  • Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)
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