Dear Luca,

Yes! There are indeed some changes coming in 2025, and you might’ve received an eligibility letter about it earlier this year. A new program called the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program will be offering health insurance to eligible Postal Service employees, retirees, and their eligible family members. PSHB will replace your current FEHB coverage beginning January 1, 2025. It’ll be the only health benefits program available through the Postal Service to employees, retirees, and their eligible family members. Here’s what you need to know:

Some eligible members will have to enroll in Medicare to keep their PSHB:
• Active employees that are under the age of 64 (as of 12/31/24) and are participating in FEHB as of 12/31/24
• Covered family members of retirees when the primary PSHB enrollee is enrolled in Medicare Part B

Note: Those who are enrolled in Medicare Part B as of 1/1/2025 must remain enrolled in order to continue participating in the PSHB program.

Some eligible members do not have to enroll in Medicare:
• Retirees who retired on or before 12/31/24 and who are participating in FEHB as of 12/31/24.
• Covered family members of retirees who are participating in FEHB as of 12/31/24 (unless the primary PSHB enrollee is enrolled in Medicare Part B, see above list)
• Active employees age 64 or older (as of 12/31/24) who are participating in FEHB as of 12/31/24

Some retirees eligible for PSHB might still wish to enroll in Medicare as they transition from FEHB to PSHB.
• Even though it isn’t required, enrolling in Medicare Part B may reduce a retiree’s overall health care costs.

You can learn more about the upcoming changes in the USPS’s fact sheets for current Postal employees and their document for retirees.

Good luck deciding!

-Marci