Cover Story

Open Season Is Coming — Here’s What You Need to Know

Is your health coverage keeping up with your life?

Your health needs, dependent situation, plan coverage, and premium rates can change year-over-year. During the Open Season period, you can enroll, or if already enrolled, make changes to your benefits enrollment. Unless you have a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) during the remainder of the year, this is your once-a-year opportunity to make any changes to your health benefits. Don’t miss out on the chance to make any necessary changes.

To prepare for Open Season, go to https://liteblue.usps.gov/openseason26/. It’s a one-stop-shop for everything you need to know, including information on plan and enrollment types and free access to Checkbook’s Guide to Health Plans. The guide takes you through a few simple steps to find the best health plan for you and your family. You will find every plan available to you ranked by estimated out-of-pocket costs and more. Through LiteBlue, you can also access videos, FAQs, and a link to PostalEASE (where you can make your health plan election).

Once you’re ready to make your selection, you can access PostalEASE from the LiteBlue Open Season page, on Blue, at Employee Self-Service Kiosks, or by calling the Employee Service Line toll-free at 877-477-3273, option 1 (TTY 866-260-7507). If you need additional enrollment information or help using PostalEASE, you can contact the HR Shared Service Center at 877-477-3273, option 1 (TTY 866-260-7507).

Only when you take the time to select the right plan and coverage level for you, can you be confident that you have the right coverage at the right price.

Open Season starts on November 14 and ends on December 12 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Be active and take action regarding your benefits.

Benefits Programs and Key Dates

During Open Season, you have the opportunity to enroll, cancel, or change your enrollment in a number of benefits programs. To participate, you must meet eligibility criteria.

 

New hires can enroll… Make changes during Open Season… To enroll or make changes, go to… For more information visit…

Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program

Within 60 days from new hire date.

November 14
through
December 12
(11:59 p.m. EST)

PostalEASE at https://ewss.usps.gov/esymain.htm

n LiteBlue or Blue

n Employee kiosk (available at some facilities)

n Call 877-477-3273, option 1
TTY: 866-260-7507)

Note: You can also mail the PostalEASE FEHB Worksheet to the HR Shared Service Center.

LiteBlue FEHB page

liteblue.usps.gov/fehb

USPS Health Benefits (USPS HB) Plan
(non-career employees only)

Within 60 days from new hire date.

November 14
through
December 12
(11:59 p.m. EST)

PostalEASE at https://ewss.usps.gov/esymain.htm

n LiteBlue or Blue

n Employee kiosk (available at some facilities)

n Call 877-477-3273, option 1
(TTY: 866-260-7507)

Note: You can also mail the PostalEASE USPS HB Plan Worksheet to the HR Shared Service Center.

LiteBlue USPS HB page

liteblue.usps.gov/uspshbp

Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)

Within 60 days from new hire date.

November 14
through
December 12
(11:59 p.m. EST)

n BENEFEDS Website at https://www.benefeds.com/; or

n Call FEDVIP at 877-888-3337
(TTY: 877-899-5680)

LiteBlue FEDVIP page

liteblue.usps.gov/fedvip

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Within 60 days from new hire date.

November 14
through
December 12
(11:59 p.m. EST)

FSAFEDS Website at https://www.fsafeds.com/; or

n Call FSAFEDS at 877-372-3337
(TTY: 800-952-0450)

LiteBlue FSA page

liteblue.usps.gov/fsa

Annual Leave Exchange (ALE)

N/A

November 15
through
December 15
(11:59 p.m. EST)

PostalEASE at https://ewss.usps.gov/esymain.htm

n LiteBlue or Blue

n Employee kiosk (available at some facilities)

n Call 877-477-3273, option 1
(TTY: 866-260-7507)

LiteBlue ALE page

liteblue.usps.gov/leave

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

New employees automatically enrolled with a 3 percent contribution.

Make changes at any time during the year.

PostalEASE at https://ewss.usps.gov/esymain.htm

n LiteBlue or Blue

n Call TSP at 877-968-3778
(TTY: 877-847-4385)

LiteBlue TSP page

liteblue.usps.gov/tsp

Commuter Benefits Program

At any time.

Make changes at any time during the year.

PostalEASE at https://ewss.usps.gov/esymain.htm

n https://www.commutercheckdirect.com/

n Call 888-235-9223

LiteBlue Commuter page

liteblue.usps.gov/commuter