How to Enroll: The NALC Health Benefit Plan for Postal Employees & Annuitants
Choosing your health plan is a big decision — we’re here to make it simple. Whether you're just getting started, preparing for retirement, or switching plans during Open Season, enrolling in the NALC Health Benefit Plan under the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program is easier than ever.
Are You Eligible for NALC HBP coverage through the PSHB program?
Understanding your eligibility is the first step for your PSHB enrollment.
You can join an NALC HBP if you are:
-
An active Postal employee
You are currently employed by the U.S. Postal Service in a position that qualifies for PSHB coverage.
Eligible family members include:
- Spouse (legally married).
- Dependent children under age 26 (natural, adopted, stepchildren, recognized natural children, and eligible foster children).
- Disabled child aged 26+ incapable of self-support (under certain conditions).
-
A Postal Annuitant/Retiree
You are a retired postal employee and meet OPM’s requirements to continue health coverage into retirement.
-
A former spouse eligible under the Spouse Equity Law
To meet eligibility requirements, you must have been covered under PSHB as a family member some time during the 18 months before the marriage ended, has not remarried before reaching age 55 and has a qualifying court order.
-
A TCC Enrollee
Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) is available to former USPS employees, their eligible children, and former spouses after losing coverage due to a qualifying life event.
When Can You Enroll or Update Your Coverage?
When it comes to your health benefits, timing is important. These are the key moments when you can enroll in or adjust your PSHB plan:
All eligible participants—both employees and annuitants—can enroll, change plans, cancel coverage, or start/stop premium conversion
When:
Typically from the second Monday in November through the second Monday in December
Your initial window to enroll.
When:
You have 60 days from your official start date to enroll. It’s best to enroll during this time to ensure coverage; otherwise, you’ll generally need to wait for Open Season or a Qualifying Life Event.
You may be able to make changes to your PSHB plan outside of Open Season if you experience a qualifying life event (QLE). Common examples include marriage, birth of a child, or retirement. For the full list of QLEs, visit OPM’s website: www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/life-events
When:
Generally, 31 days before to 60 days after the event.
Retirees can enroll during the enrollment period, each year’s Open Season, or after a qualifying life event.
When:
When they first retire, during the initial PSHB enrollment
Your Step-by-Step Enrollment Guide (PSHB)
Enrolling in a NALC PSHB Plan is quick — but you'll need to follow a few steps.
The way you enroll in an PSHB plan depends on your agency. You may use an online system, a telephone service, or the Standard Form 2809 (SF 2809). For specific instructions for your agency, please see the official OPM enrollment page.
Choose Your Plan: Review the NALC HBP brochure and find the three-character enrollment code that matches your plan and coverage type
Log into the Postal Service Health Benefits System at health-benefits.opm.gov/pshb
Complete your enrollment during Open Season or within your special enrollment window.
Your coverage begins the first day of the first pay period after your enrollment is received.
Add eligible dependents if needed
You have a few ways to manage your PSHB enrollment:
Choose Your Plan: Review the NALC HBP brochure keeping in mind costs, coverage, and how the plan works with Medicare if you’re eligible.
Enroll Through OPM—you have several options:
Visit health-benefits.opm.gov/pshb, and follow the instructions for retirees.
By Phone: Call the PSHB Helpline at 1-844-451-1261
By Mail: Send the Standard Form 2809 (Health Benefits Election Form) to OPM’s PSHB Processing Center, postmarked by the enrollment deadline
Complete your enrollment during Open Season or within your special enrollment window.
If you are Medicare-eligible, make sure you’ve met any requirements for Medicare Part B to keep your PSHB coverage.
Add eligible dependents if needed
Submit your changes during Open Season or after a QLE
Key Details for Your Enrollment
NALC PSHB Enrollment Codes
|
Plan |
Self Only |
Self Plus One |
Self & FamilyEmployees Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
|
High Option |
77A |
77C |
77B |
|
Consumer Driven (CDHP) |
77D |
77F |
77E |
Choosing Your NALC HBP PSHB Plan
We offer two strong options to fit your lifestyle and healthcare preferences.
Best For:
Best For:
Take the Next Step!
You're now equipped with the information to confidently navigate your NALC HBP FEHB enrollment.
(Part A)
Ready to Enroll or
Change Your Plan?
(Part B)
Still Have Questions
or Need Plan Advice?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
USPS employees, annuitants, and their eligible dependents who meet OPM’s guidelines.
You must be an eligible Postal Service employee or annuitant. Additionally, most active employees must be dues-paying members of an NALC local branch, and annuitants must become an associate member upon enrolling.