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2025 FEHB & PSHB Healthcare Plan Selection Guide

Posted By Dennis Damp On In BENEFITS / INSURANCE,ESTATE PLANNING,FINANCE / TIP,RETIREMENT CONCERNS,SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE,SURVIVOR INFORMATION,WELLNESS / HEALTH | Comments Disabled
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Please forward this article to others who can use this “Open Season” information.

Open season starts on the 11th of November, this coming Monday. Tools are available to evaluate provider options, select your 2025 plan, and submit changes to OPM. Use this guide to walk you through the process and follow the links for additional clarifications and guidance.

Many plans now offer Medicare Advantage Plans or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (MPDP) [2]. Review our Medicare Advantage Plan Primer [3] to better understand this option and learn about potential coverage concerns.

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Click on this banner to sign up for a complimentary retirement planning
session and a FREE retirement planning report [4]

Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Automatic Enrollment

Postal employees and annuitants will receive a letter before the 2024 Open Season that provides information on the PSHB plan they’ll be automatically enrolled in. You can change that plan enrollment or select a different plan during the Transitional PSHB Open Season, which runs simultaneously with the 2024 Federal Benefits Open Season.

For example, if enrolled in the FEHB Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Basic Self Plus One Plan (113), you will automatically be enrolled in the new PSHB 33C BCBS Self Plus One Plan.

Those currently enrolled in any FEHB plan not listed in the cross-reference chart [5] will be automatically enrolled in the PSHB nationwide plan option. For the 2025 PSHB benefit year, this plan is the Blue Cross Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan FEP Blue Focus (35A/35B/35C).

Obtain Copies of Plan FEHB & PSHB Guides

   Active Employees

   Annuitants (FEHB Retirees)

  PSHB (Employees & Annuitants)

Determine Plan Costs – 2025 FEHB & PSHB Plan Rates [9] (All rates are posted online).




Comparing Plans

Use OPM’s Health Care Comparison Tool [10] and Consumers’ Checkbook 2025 Guide to FEHB Health Plans to find the best plan for your needs.

Checkbook’s Guide helps active and retired federal employees find a FEHB plan that meets their needs at a cost they can afford. Answering a few questions provides a personalized cost estimate for each plan, including the premium plus expected out-of-pocket costs.

For retirees, this guide provides a yearly cost estimate for every plan with Medicare Part A only and a separate estimate with Medicare Parts A, and B. Users can see how each plan coordinates with Medicare, the cost reduction of adding Medicare Part B, and whether the plan offers Medicare Part B premium rebates. They also reviewed FEHB Medicare Advantage plan options, which can be less expensive for many retirees.

Pre-order Checkbook’s 2025 Guide to Healthcare Plans [11] for Federal Employees and save 20% by entering promo code FEDRETIRE at checkout. Their Guide and OPM’s comparison tool will be available on the first day of the open season. Before you order, check here [12] to see if your agency provides free access.

The Postal Service is providing Consumers’ Checkbook Comparison Tools at no cost for the new PSHB offerings:

Use these excellent tools to drill down to and find the plan best suited for your situation. Review individual FEHB & PSHB brochures; they provide the plan’s official benefits statement.

Changing Enrollment 

Annuitants (Retirees)

Office of Personnel Management
Open Season Processing Center
P.O. Box 5000
Lawrence, KS 66046-0500

When sending requests by mail, clearly state your Open Season request. If you are making an enrollment change, tell OPM the plan you want, the type of coverage (Self Only, Self Plus One, or Family), and the enrollment code. You must include your annuity claim number and social security number on your request. If you choose Self Plus One or Family coverage, OPM will need your dependent and other insurance information.

Federal Employees

Postal employees

Sign in to your online account at the Lite Blue USPS employee portal [24] to manage your benefits.

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Federal employees retiring soon and recent retirees with security clearances
can search thousands of high-paying defense and government contractor jobs [25].

Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)

Dental and vision benefits are available to eligible Federal and Postal employees, retirees, and their eligible family members on an enrollee-pay-all basis. Enrollment occurs during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season in November and December. New and newly eligible employees can enroll within 60 days after they become eligible.

Please register online at www.BENEFEDS.com [26] to review and download plan brochures, use their plan comparison tool, and initiate a change or cancel enrollment. If you aren’t a registered user, sign up now. You can review your Dental, Vision, Long Term Care, and Flexible Spending [27] accounts. Enrollees can initiate changes during the open season, when a life event change [28]s, or cancel coverage at any time.

For enrollment/premium questions regarding dental and vision insurance, contact BENEFEDS at 1(877) 888-3337.

Medicare Impact on FEHB Plans

Review the following articles that describe the impact Medicare has on your FEHB provider payments.

Summary

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With the costs of most things, from my perspective, rising considerably faster than inflation, it’s imperative to seek ways to save in this economy. Fortunately, there are lower-cost FEHB and PSHB options [37] to consider that offer excellent coverage.

The task can be daunting for most because of the mountain of information that must be evaluated to make that decision. Thankfully, there are exceptional comparison tools to help us through the process.

This open season is different from previous years due to the establishment of the PSHB program for postal service workers and annuitants. This guide incorporated this new program with links to supporting articles that explain the plan.

Today, there are many choices to consider for everything today. Recently, during a trip to Walmart, I was looking for shampoo; many brands are vying for our attention, offering shampoo with or without conditioner, for thin, dry, or damaged hair, numerous scents – too many to mention, and with thickening or moisturizing effects. What do you choose?

These options drive me and my wife crazy, scrutinizing everything available! In my youth, my mother would buy Prell shampoo without all the fluff they offer today.

Even though we have many options for our healthcare needs, we must take the time this open season to select the best healthcare plan for our family, including prescription drug coverage.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

 

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspect of unique or special circumstances, federal regulations, medical procedures, investment, and benefit information are subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact relevant parties for assistance including OPM’s retirement center.

Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The information contained herein should not be considered investment advice and may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult with a financial, medical or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

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