Key Takeaways

• Missing the PSHB Open Season in 2025 could leave you stuck with less-than-ideal coverage and higher out-of-pocket costs for the entire year.

• You have a limited window each year to adjust your Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) plan, and skipping it means you may not be able to make any changes unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event.

Why PSHB Open Season Matters More Than Ever in 2025

The 2025 transition to the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program marks a major shift from the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) system. If you are a United States Postal Service (USPS) employee or retiree, this change affects you directly. The Open Season period—running from November to December each year—is your one chance to evaluate your current PSHB plan and make necessary changes. Skipping it could result in financial and healthcare-related setbacks that linger for an entire year.

What Changed in 2025

Starting January 1, 2025, all USPS employees and annuitants must be enrolled in a PSHB plan instead of an FEHB plan. If you were previously covered under FEHB, that coverage does not automatically continue unless it was mapped to a PSHB plan.

Key updates include:

• Mandatory Medicare Part B enrollment for certain Medicare-eligible retirees and family members.

• Prescription drug coverage integrated with Medicare Part D Employer Group Waiver Plans (EGWPs).

• Revised premium structures and cost-sharing mechanisms.

This means Open Season is no longer a routine event—it is now essential for maintaining proper health coverage.

You’re Automatically Enrolled—But That Might Not Be Enough

Many USPS employees and retirees were automatically enrolled in a PSHB plan that most closely matched their previous FEHB coverage. However, what seems like a seamless transition could cost you if you don’t verify that the new plan meets your current healthcare needs.

Some reasons you should actively review your plan:

• Your preferred providers may not be in-network anymore.

• The new plan’s copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance may differ significantly.

• Medicare coordination could alter your out-of-pocket expenses.

A passive approach could leave you with a plan that looks similar but functions very differently.

You Can Only Make Changes During Open Season (Unless You Qualify Otherwise)

The PSHB Open Season in 2025 ran from November 11 through December 9. Outside of this period, you can only change your plan if you experience a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). Examples include:

• Marriage or divorce

• Birth or adoption of a child

• Loss of other coverage

If none of these apply to you, your plan remains locked until the next Open Season. That’s a full year of potential mismatches between your healthcare needs and your actual coverage.

Medicare Part B Integration: Not Optional for Many

One of the most impactful updates in 2025 is the Medicare Part B requirement. If you’re a Medicare-eligible USPS annuitant or family member, you may now be required to enroll in Medicare Part B to maintain your PSHB coverage.

Exceptions exist for:

• Annuitants who retired on or before January 1, 2025

• Employees aged 64 or older as of January 1, 2025

• Individuals living overseas

• Veterans receiving care through the VA

If you fall into one of these groups, you are exempt. Otherwise, failing to enroll in Part B could lead to a loss of coverage or significantly higher costs.

Drug Coverage Has Changed—And Skipping Open Season Could Cost You

As of 2025, all Medicare-eligible PSHB enrollees receive their prescription drug benefits through a Medicare Part D Employer Group Waiver Plan. This comes with notable advantages, including:

• A $35 cap on insulin prescriptions

• A $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket drug expenses

• A broader pharmacy network

However, if you opted out of this integration during Open Season, you likely lost drug coverage under your PSHB plan—and re-enrollment options are extremely limited. This highlights the importance of not missing the window.

Premiums, Cost-Sharing, and Budgeting Implications

Plan premiums and cost-sharing structures differ widely across PSHB options. Automatic enrollment may place you in a plan with:

• Higher deductibles

• Increased copayments

• Reduced government contributions

You won’t know unless you review your plan details during Open Season. Not doing so could result in unexpected medical bills or prescription costs that your budget isn’t prepared to handle.

For Employees: LiteBlue Access Is Essential

If you’re a current USPS employee, the Open Season portal on LiteBlue is your tool for:

• Reviewing available PSHB plans

• Comparing costs and coverage details

• Making changes before the deadline

If you didn’t log in and check your options, you may have missed critical changes that impact your family’s healthcare.

For Retirees: Use KeepingPosted.org

USPS retirees manage their Open Season changes through KeepingPosted.org. You need your retirement account information to log in and access PSHB plan options.

Even if you assumed you were set, not checking your plan could mean being enrolled in coverage that doesn’t align with your new lifestyle, health needs, or Medicare status.

No Action Means No Changes Until November 2025

If you didn’t take action during the Open Season period from November to December 2024, you are now locked into your current plan for the remainder of 2025. The next opportunity to adjust your coverage won’t arrive until the next Open Season in November 2025, unless you experience a QLE.

That’s 12 months of living with the consequences of a potentially mismatched or inadequate plan.

Resources Are Available—But Only If You Use Them

Both USPS and OPM provided extensive materials ahead of Open Season:

• Comparison tools for PSHB plans

• Help lines and support centers

• Online brochures detailing premiums, copayments, and coverage changes

If you didn’t use these resources in 2024, take note now so that you’re prepared for the 2025 Open Season. Missing it again could compound the issues you’re already facing.

What You Can Do Now If You Missed Open Season

If you missed the Open Season and don’t qualify for a QLE, here are some steps you can take:

• Review your current plan’s full benefits and limitations

• Plan financially for out-of-pocket expenses through the rest of 2025

• Set a calendar reminder for the 2025 Open Season

• Consult a licensed agent to evaluate your options and prepare for the next window

Being proactive now can save you from repeating the same mistake later.

Avoid Repeating the Same Oversight

PSHB is here to stay, and its rules and structure require active attention every year. Don’t rely on assumptions or auto-enrollment. Make Open Season an annual priority to ensure you and your family get the healthcare coverage you actually need.

Stay Covered, Stay Informed

Skipping the PSHB Open Season isn’t a minor oversight—it’s a full-year commitment to a plan that might not work for you. Mark your calendar, ask questions, and don’t leave your healthcare to chance. For help making sense of your PSHB options, speak with a licensed agent listed on this website for professional advice.