While a vast majority of postal employees transitioned to PSHB without issue, we recognize that there still are some eligibility discrepancies that remain open, and we are working diligently to guide our members on how best to address their individual issues. In many of the remaining cases, the Postal Service and/or the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will need to take action to correct the problem.
Considering everything that went into this Open Season, I need to express my gratitude for the cooperation and support of branch representatives and officers. Everyone involved played a significant role by helping members with their questions and uncertainty throughout this change. I also applaud the wonderful staff at the NALC Health Benefit Plan for their hard work and dedication to our members. They have done an amazing job preparing for the transition, and despite the challenges, were steadfast in their determination to help our members and make this a successful experience. Given the magnitude of changes this legislation required, things would have been much different without the remarkable support of our branches. Thank you.
While this remains a collaborative effort on all fronts, OPM has notified health insurers that we are moving into the next phase of PSHB—requiring future changes to a member’s policy to follow the designated process. Through the transition, PSHB plans were able to update certain member demographics as a temporary solution to help transition everyone; however, per OPM, this responsibility now shifts to the individual member and owner of the insurance file.
