Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Open season is here
The annual benefits enrollment period for USPS employees is now underway
Open season, the once-a-year opportunity for Postal Service employees to make changes to their health coverage or choose a new plan, begins Monday, Nov. 11, and concludes Monday, Dec. 9.
This year’s options will include the Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHB), a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) that takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.
Here’s what employees should know:
• If you currently have an FEHB plan, a comparable plan within the PSHB will be identified for you. You should review this plan to ensure it will meet your needs. If you are satisfied with the plan, you do not need to take any action.
• If your current carrier does not offer a plan in the PSHB Program, you will be enrolled in the lowest cost nationwide plan that is not a high-deductible health plan and does not charge a membership fee.
• If you are not satisfied with the plan that has been identified for you, changes can be made during open season.
• You can compare multiple plans side by side through Checkbook’s Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees, an online tool available on the MyHR website’s open season page.
A variety of health, vision and dental coverage options are available through the PSHB Program, the USPS Health Benefits Plan for eligible precareer and casual employees, and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program.
Employees should log in to the MyHR website’s open season page to explore their options and find out what’s available.
The Postal Service will provide additional information and reminders throughout open season.
Heroes
She found a customer with a cracked knee
The rural carrier called 911 and stayed with the woman until help arrived
Rural Carrier Pam Lavalley was delivering mail in Gilbertsville, KY, recently when she saw an older woman lying on the ground outside.
The customer had been trying to walk to an outdoor freezer to get a roast to make for supper, but lost her footing.
She fell onto the concrete driveway, cracking her knee and splitting her tibia. The customer had been lying in the sun and heat for about 15 minutes before Lavalley arrived.
The Postal Service employee called the woman’s son and then 911. Lavalley remained with the customer until paramedics arrived and took her to a nearby hospital.
The woman had surgery and is now recovering.
“We wouldn’t have our mother with us today if not for Pam,” said Valerie Alfaro-Skinner, the customer’s daughter.
Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.
Delivery operations VP to retire
Angela Curtis began her USPS career as a letter carrier
Angela Curtis, the Postal Service’s delivery operations vice president, will retire after 34 years of federal service.
She “led the transformation of city and rural delivery realignment,” Postmaster General Louis DeJoy wrote in a memo announcing Curtis’s retirement.
Curtis, a U.S. Air Force veteran, began her Postal Service career as a letter carrier in North Carolina in 1993 after serving in the military.
Prior to her current role, she served as retail and Post Office operations vice president. She has held several other leadership positions, including vice president of the former Eastern Area, manager of the former Baltimore and Mid-Carolinas districts, processing and distribution manager and postmaster.
“Angela has a legacy of coaching and developing leaders across the organization and has worked to build a bench of future leaders in retail and delivery. She has been a valuable member of the Postal Service’s leadership team for many years and her dedication to improving the service and efficiencies of our retail and delivery units has been remarkable,” DeJoy wrote.
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered Nov. 3-9
November observances, open season and the new holiday ad made news
Veterans Day may occupy a single spot on the calendar each year, but it was practically a weeklong commemoration in Link.
We explored the origins of the annual holiday and shared news about special certificates and a video USPS released to salute employees who served in the military.
We also warned about fake websites that try to trick victims into consuming malicious content, and offered a “Heroes” profile of Pam Lavalley, a rural carrier in Gilbertsville, KY, who rescued a woman who had been wounded from a fall.
“We wouldn’t have our mother with us today if not for Pam,” said Valerie Alfaro-Skinner, the customer’s daughter.
Additionally, Link shared news you can use in the runup to the open season benefits enrollment period with a preview on the many changes coming this year, including the new Postal Service Health Benefits Program and a new flexible spending account administrator.
And speaking of previews, we offered a look at the new USPS holiday ad, “The Holiday Ride,” and the kickoff of the Postal Inspection Service’s holiday ad campaign, “Don’t Get Snowed by Holiday Scams.”
Other stories included the release of the latest episode of “Mailin’ It!,” the USPS podcast, and the display of a next-generation delivery vehicle at Postal Service headquarters in Washington, DC.
November 19, 2024
Datebook
PSHB virtual seminar
USPS employees may participate in an upcoming virtual seminar on the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program.
The session will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern.
PSHB — which takes effect in 2025 — is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and will be administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
USPS employees, annuitants, and eligible family members are required to enroll in this new program.
The MyHR website’s PSHB page has more information, including the Zoom links and passcodes to participate. To find the page, enter “Postal Service Health Benefits” in the MyHR search bar.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must be off the clock or on authorized breaks.
Employees can also receive updates by texting “PSHBP” to 39369.
November 18, 2024
Datebook
PSHB CareFirst webinar
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar to learn more about health, dental and vision plan options within the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program.
PSHB — which takes effect in 2025 — is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and will be administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
USPS employees, annuitants and eligible family members are required to enroll in this new program.
The “Blue Product Overview” webinar will be led by representatives from CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The session will be held Monday, Nov. 18, from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern.
To participate, employees must register on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must be off the clock or on authorized breaks.
Employees who have questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
November 16, 2024
Datebook
‘Open Season 101’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar on this year’s open season benefits enrollment period.
The session, “Open Season 101,” will be held Saturday, Nov. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern.
The presentation will include information on 2025 benefits changes, including the Postal Service Health Benefits Program and the Postal Service Health Benefits System enrollment platform.
Other topics will include the new flexible spending accounts program, Checkbook’s Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Program and the Annual Leave Exchange.
Participants can also speak with a benefits specialist.
Employees can register by going to the MyHR website’s open season page.
USPS is also holding a virtual benefits fair throughout open season.
Employees who have questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
View past printouts
Printout details
What's included
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Open season is here
The annual benefits enrollment period for USPS employees is now underway
-
Heroes
She found a customer with a cracked knee
The rural carrier called 911 and stayed with the woman until help arrived
-
Delivery operations VP to retire
Angela Curtis began her USPS career as a letter carrier
-
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered Nov. 3-9
November observances, open season and the new holiday ad made news
-
November19Datebook
PSHB virtual seminar
-
November18Datebook
PSHB CareFirst webinar
-
November16Datebook
‘Open Season 101’