OPEN SEASON
NOVEMBER 13 – DECEMBER 11, 2023
HEALTH INSURANCE - CAREER MAIL HANDLERS
The Federal Health Benefits Open Season provides an opportunity for career mail handlers to make changes to their health insurance coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). During open season, you may make changes to your health insurance including changing plans, enroll if not enrolled, cancel enrollment, or select and change your coverage options (Self Only, Self Plus One or Self and Family).
HEALTH INSURANCE - MAIL HANDLER ASSISTANTS
Mail Handler Assistants (MHA) are eligible for health insurance coverage through the USPS Health Benefits (USPSHB) Plan. Coverage is subsidized by the Postal Service through an employer contribution of $125.00 per pay period for Self Only. For Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage, the contribution shall be equal to, but no greater than, the dollar value of 65% of the total premium for Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage under the USPS plan.
SUPPLEMENTAL DENTAL & VISION PLANS
All career Mail Handlers and Mail Handler Assistants are eligible to enroll in supplemental dental and vision insurance programs offered through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) allow employees to set aside a portion of their pre-tax earnings for certain types of out-of-pocket health care expenses and dependent care expenses that may be incurred during the next year. FSAs are an excellent opportunity for Mail Handlers to save money for health care and dependent care. If you don’t have an FSA, perhaps this is the year to start one.
ANNUAL LEAVE EXCHANGE OPTION MOU
The Annual Leave Exchange Option MOU for Leave Year 2024 will allow career employees to sell back a maximum of 80 hours of annual leave prior to the beginning of the leave year provided the following criteria is met:
- The employee must be at the maximum leave carryover ceiling (440 hours) at the start of the leave year and
- the employee must have used fewer than 75 sick leave hours in the 2023 leave year.
