Postal

How to Enroll: The NALC Health Benefit Plan for Postal Employees & Annuitants

Choosing your health plan is a big decision — we’re here to make it simple. Whether you're just getting started, preparing for retirement, or switching plans during Open Season, enrolling in the NALC Health Benefit Plan under the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program is easier than ever.

Are You Eligible for NALC HBP coverage through the PSHB program?

Understanding your eligibility is the first step for your PSHB enrollment. You can join an NALC HBP if you are:

When Can You Enroll or Update Your Coverage?

When it comes to your health benefits, timing is important. These are the key moments when you can enroll in or adjust your PSHB plan:

Learn More About Qualifying Life Events
Scenario 1
Annual Open Season (NALC Open Enrollment)
All eligible participants—both employees and annuitants—can enroll, change plans, cancel coverage, or start/stop premium conversion

When:
Typically from the second Monday in November through the second Monday in December
Scenario 2
New Postal Employee
Your initial window to enroll.

When:
You have 60 days from your official start date to enroll. It's best to enroll during this time to ensure coverage; otherwise, you'll generally need to wait for Open Season or a Qualifying Life Event. 
Scenario 3
Qualifying Life Event (QLE)
You may be able to make changes to your PSHB plan outside of Open Season if you experience a qualifying life event (QLE). Common examples include marriage, birth of a child, or retirement. For the full list of QLEs, visit OPM’s website: www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/life-events

When:
Generally, 31 days before to 60 days after the event.
Scenario 4
Retirement
Retirees can enroll during the enrollment period, each year’s Open Season, or after a qualifying life event.


When:
When they first retire, during the initial PSHB enrollment

Your Step-by-Step Enrollment Guide (PSHB)

Enrolling in a NALC PSHB Plan is quick — but you'll need to follow a few steps.

The way you enroll in an PSHB plan depends on your agency. You may use an online system, a telephone service, or the Standard Form 2809 (SF 2809). For specific instructions for your agency, please see the official OPM enrollment page.

01
Choose Your Plan: Review the NALC HBP brochure and find the three-character enrollment code that matches your plan and coverage type
02
Log into the Postal Service Health Benefits System at health-benefits.opm.gov/pshb
03
Complete your enrollment during Open Season or within your special enrollment window.
04
Your coverage begins the first day of the first pay period after your enrollment is received.
05
Add eligible dependents if needed
06
Review and confirm your selections. You’ll receive an enrollment kit and your plan ID card in the mail.
A doctor reassures a smiling patient during a consultation.

You have a few ways to manage your PSHB enrollment:

01
Choose Your Plan: Review the NALC HBP brochure keeping in mind costs, coverage, and how the plan works with Medicare if you’re eligible.
02
Enroll Through OPM—you have several options:
Visit health-benefits.opm.gov/pshb, and follow the instructions for retirees.
By Phone: Call the PSHB Helpline at 1-844-451-1261
By Mail: Send the Standard Form 2809 (Health Benefits Election Form) to OPM’s PSHB Processing Center, postmarked by the enrollment deadline
03
Complete your enrollment during Open Season or within your special enrollment window.
04
If you are Medicare-eligible, make sure you’ve met any requirements for Medicare Part B to keep your PSHB coverage.
05
Add eligible dependents if needed
06
Submit your changes during Open Season or after a QLE
A smiling couple unpacks a package together at home.
Receive Orientation after enrollment

Key Details for Your Enrollment

NALC PSHB Enrollment Codes

Plan
Self Only
Self Plus One
Self & FamilyEmployees Pay
High Option
77A
77C
77B
Consumer Driven (CDHP)
77D
77F
77E

NALC Membership – An Integral Part

Remember, enrolling in the NALC Health Benefit Plan means you must become, or be a dues-paying member of the National Association of Letter Carriers union to maintain coverage.

Questions about NALC Membership?
 Call NALC Membership directly at 202-662-2856.

** This is separate from your health plan premium.

Choosing Your NALC HBP PSHB Plan

We offer two strong options to fit your lifestyle and healthcare preferences.

High Option Plan

Best For:

Predictable copays.

Broad access. Nationwide PPO network plus worldwide coverage

Total wellness – Strong mental health, chronic condition, maternity, and preventive care support

Retirees with Medicare – Seamless coordination with Medicare Parts A & B,

100% Preventive Coverage.

Explore High Option Details
Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP)

Best For:

Lower premiums.

Personal Care Account.

100% Preventive Coverage.

Rollover Savings – Keep unused PCA funds year after year up to $5k for self only and $10k for self and family / self plus one

Discover CDHP Benefits

We're Here to Help

Got questions? Or, need help choosing a plan? We’ll guide you to the right place.

Talk to Member Services
Compare Plans
Understand Your Premium

Ready for Better Coverage? Take the Next Step!

You're now equipped with the information to confidently navigate your NALC HBP PSHB enrollment.

Ready to Enroll or Change Your Plan?

Review Enrollment Steps

Still Have Questions or Need Plan Advise?

Contact Member Services

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQ representative
USPS employees, annuitants, and their eligible dependents who meet OPM’s guidelines.
You must be an eligible Postal Service employee or annuitant. Additionally, most active employees must be dues-paying members of an NALC local branch, and annuitants must become an associate member upon enrolling.
View All FAQs