Last month, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released the interim final rule for the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, which is a new health insurance program that is included in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program.

The Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 (PSRA) mandated OPM to establish the PSHB Program, which is prepared to provide health benefits plans to United States Postal Service (Postal Service) employees, Postal Service annuitants, and their eligible family members. This program is set to begin on January 1, 2025.  

This interim final rule implements the PSHB Program and allows OPM to contract with health insurance carriers so they can offer comprehensive, cost-effective health benefits to eligible enrollees and their families.

PSHB plans will include benefits and cost-sharing arrangements much like the plans currently available to eligible enrollees through FEHB.    

The PSHB Program will integrate Medicare coverage for Medicare-eligible Postal Service annuitants as part of the PSRA’s broader purpose to promote the long-term financial stability and viability of the Postal Service.

Establishing the PSHB will strengthen future health insurance coverage and other benefits for the Postal Service, current Postal Service employees, Postal Service annuitants, and their family members.   

In developing this rule, OPM consulted with many groups including the United States Postal Service, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.  

The public comment period is open for 60 days at www.regulations.gov.    

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