Health Benefits

Here's where everyone can read information about your health benefits and what you need to know. Will post updates on any new information to help with everyone staying informed.

 

 

Mary C. Pardo, NALC Health Benefits Representative

 

Brothers and Sisters, welcome back from Boston!

 

Speaking about the Boston Convention and future convention, I propose a few changes that I think need to be considered. I think that when you are selected as a delegate when you pick up your delegate card you need to provide the President or Vice President with a point of contact in case of a medical emergency.  While we were in Boston one of our delegates had a medical emergency and no one knew who to contact.  Luckily, he was ok and able to make it back home safely.  Of course, it will be up to the Executive Board to put their heads together and review the changes for future trips to State and National Conventions.  I believe that providing this extra information would be beneficial to all of us; and of course, all the info provided will be confidential. We all care for each other, so why would you not want to share with your brothers or sisters?  We should all be aware of our health and needs, being that we are far from home. Delegates remember you have a voice, use it.

 

On a sad note, Supervisor Stephanie Cruz Mendoza was stabbed to death by her husband.  If you are in an abusive relationship, please seek help.

 

Also, for those retired carriers and your spouses if you DO NOT HAVE MEDICARE PART B, you have until October 2024 to have the Postal Service pay for the penalty for you to get Part B.  Don’t wait for the last day to call Medicare Part B.  Many changes are coming in 2025 for the NALC Health Benefits for the annuitants.  Please read the information that we have provided in the Timely Messenger.

 

Finally, I notify all CCAs being converted to career employees by mail.  In this packet you will find the application for NALC Health Benefit Plan. Whether you sign with NALC or not please do not wait until the last minute to file your application or get on Liteblue.gov. You have 60 days to do so. Otherwise, you will have to wait until Open Season, which will start November 11, 2024, and go through December 13th, 2024. Please do not wait until the Open Season.  Thank you to all of those who have signed with NALC Health Benefits in year 2024.  NALC Health Benefits is designed by Letter Carriers for Letter Carriers!

      

ATTENTION ALL ANNUITANTS

 

Are you ready for the Postal Service Health Benefit Plan (PSHB} For Annuitants!

 

   In March of this year, the Postal Service mailed out a notice entitled:

 

OPTIONAL ENROLLMENT. Eligibility Notice for Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

 

For Postal Service Annuitants Not Previously Enrolled in Medicare Part B.

 

   NOTE: A copy of the March 2025 notice has been provided to HBR Representative Mary Pardo and President Homer Hernandez

  

Applications should be sent to: US Postal Service PSHB PSRA, C/O Social Security Administration, Wilkes-Barre District Operations Center, PO Box 67650, Wilkes Barre PA 18767-9969

 

  NOTE: Applications [CMS-40B] must be postmarked by September 30, 2024. Forms postmarked after September 30, 2024 WILL NOT be accepted.

 

   If you are using application form (CMS-40B) skip 7c. [Leave 7c blank]

 

   PSHB Navigation Help Line (833)712-7742

 

   While attending the National NALC Convention in Boston, I also attended two workshops / training sessions (NALC MBA and NALC HBP).

 

   At the NALC HBP Session, we were told that benefits and premiums will not be available until October. Coverage codes will change. The Postal Service Health Benefit Plan (PSHB) is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) Program and will be administrated by OPM. Coverage under the PSHB Program will be effective January 1, 2025.

 

After the business sessions, I spent time at the NALC HBP Booth, NALC HBP Contractors, MBA Booth and Membership [Retirees] Booth for more information.

 

            Burnie Miller, Past President