Living with a chronic condition — whether it's diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, or something more complex — changes how you approach your day. As a postal employee, that challenge sits on top of a physically demanding job, unpredictable schedules, and limited time for medical appointments. It's a lot to carry.
What many NALC HBP members don't realize is that their Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) plan includes far more than standard insurance coverage. Built into both plan options, the High Option and the Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP), are personalized chronic condition management programs, one-on-one health coaching, mental health support, and specialty care coordination. Most of it requires nothing more than knowing it exists and making a call to get started.
This guide walks you through what's available, how it works, and where to go for more information.
Your Plan Includes a Full Chronic Condition Support System
Think of your NALC HBP benefit as having a care team working alongside your doctor. Not replacing them, but filling the gaps between appointments and helping you stay on track.
Both the High Option and CDHP plans connect members with a network of specialized partners, each covering a different dimension of chronic condition management. The entry point for most members is Priority Health Coaching through Cigna, which supports conditions like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, COPD, heart disease, and depression. You're matched with trained nurses, nutritionists, and health advocates who provide one-on-one guidance.
The program is designed to be highly personalized. When you call, you’ll speak with a Health Advocate who acts as your personal navigator. They will help determine your eligibility for specific coaching tracks—such as respiratory care or stress management—and guide you through the enrolment process.
Check your eligibility: Call 855-244-NALC (6252) to get started.
For members managing diabetes specifically, both plans include Transform Care® by CVS Caremark, a no-cost program that provides a connected glucometer, unlimited test strips, pharmacist counseling, and two annual diabetes screenings at a CVS MinuteClinic. Zero cost. No paperwork maze to navigate. Just enroll and start.
If your condition is more complex, think Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn's Disease, HIV, Lupus, Parkinson's, or one of 15 other serious diagnoses, Accordant Health Management® provides dedicated nurse-led coaching and full care coordination across all your healthcare providers. This is built into both plans and is especially valuable when your care involves multiple specialists who don't always communicate with each other.
To see the full program breakdown for your plan, visit the High Option chronic condition page or the CDHP chronic condition page.
Hypertension, Heart Health, and the Physical Demands of Postal Work
High blood pressure is one of the most common and most underdiagnosed conditions in physically demanding workforces. Heat, exertion, and stress accelerate cardiovascular risk, and most people with hypertension won't feel symptoms until the damage is already happening.
Hello Heart® is a digital cardiovascular monitoring platform available to NALC HBP members that gives you real-time blood pressure tracking and personalized guidance directly on your phone. It's built for people who can't always make it to a clinic. For joint and musculoskeletal issues, which are also common among postal workers, Hinge Health® provides digital physical therapy and exercise coaching you can do on your own schedule.
These aren't generic wellness apps. They're condition-specific tools integrated into your plan. The High Option partners page or CDHP partners page lists most programs available to you along with direct access links.
Personal Health Coaching: For When You Just Need a Starting Point
NALC HBP's personal health coaching program covers a wide range of needs—from managing risk factors to weight and stress management. As an added incentive, members who qualify and enroll in Priority Health Coaching will receive a health savings reward that can be used for eligible medical expenses.
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High Option members: Receive a $50 health savings reward.
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Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP) members: Receive a $30 health savings reward.
If you're not sure which program fits your situation, a single call to NALC HBP member support will point you in the right direction.
Mental Health Is Part of Chronic Condition Management
This one often gets skipped, and it shouldn't. Living with a long-term illness, especially one that affects your ability to do your job, can take a real mental and emotional toll. Anxiety, depression, and burnout are clinically common among people managing chronic conditions, and they make physical symptoms harder to control.
Both NALC HBP plans include dedicated mental health benefits. High Option members can explore their options at the mental health support page. Mental Health and Substance Use support are both available for high option members through Optum®.
CDHP members have a separate mental health page with resources including 24/7 behavioral health access through MDLIVE. You can access MDLIVE by logging into www.mycigna.com and clicking "Talk to a doctor".
If the weight of managing your health is spilling into every other part of your life, these benefits are there for exactly that reason.
Approaching Retirement? Your Coverage Evolves With You
For postal employees nearing retirement, understanding how your PSHB plan coordinates with Medicare is essential, particularly for ongoing chronic condition care. The interaction between PSHB and Medicare Part B affects your coverage structure and out-of-pocket costs in ways that are worth understanding well before you retire.
The Medicare and Retirement page on the NALC HBP site walks you through how this coordination works and what to consider when planning your transition.
The Bottom Line: Know What You Have
These programs are more than just "check-ins." They are a comprehensive support system designed to bridge the gap between doctor visits. Whether you need help understanding a new medication or tips for managing a specialized diet, your coach is there to ensure you have the tools to live your healthiest life.
Start with your condition. Find the program that fits. Let your plan work for you the way it was designed to.
Ready to explore everything available to you? Download the 2026 NALC HBP PSHB Brochure or call member support at 877-220-NALC (6252), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.
FAQ
Q: Does NALC HBP cover diabetes management for postal employees?
Yes. Both PSHB plans include Transform Care® by CVS Caremark, a no-cost diabetes program with a connected glucometer, unlimited test strips, pharmacist counseling, and MinuteClinic screenings.
Q: What chronic conditions does NALC HBP support under PSHB?
NALC HBP supports 19 complex conditions through Accordant Health Management, plus common conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, asthma, COPD, and depression through Cigna's Priority Health Coaching.
Q: Is health coaching free for NALC HBP PSHB members?
Yes. Personal health coaching is available to all enrolled members at no additional cost, with no doctor referral required.
Q: How do I access mental health support through my NALC HBP PSHB plan?
Both plan options include behavioral health support through Optum® and MDLIVE. Resources vary slightly by plan. Visit the High Option or CDHP mental health pages for details specific to your coverage.
Q: Is there an incentive for joining the health coaching program?
Yes. Members who qualify and enroll in Priority Health Coaching earn a health savings reward for eligible medical expenses: $50 for High Option members and $30 for CDHP members. To see if you are eligible, call 855-244-NALC (6252) to speak with a health advocate.
