Postal Service Health Benefits Open Season for 2026
Working as hard as letter carriers do there never seems to be enough time or energy to look over our health coverages, compare and make changes. Every so often it pays off to do so. The Health Benefits 2026 Open Season begins on Monday November 10, 2025, and ends Monday December 8, 2025. Changes brought about by Office of Personnel Management (OPM) mandates and the rising costs in the healthcare industry in general this year is a good time to look at what you have and compare plans.
The NALC Health Benefit Plan has great rates and benefits, many that are geared specifically to letter carriers. It makes sense because it is a not for profit owned by us, the NALC membership. It’s not a corporate insurance company beholden to shareholders. NALCHBP has many value benefits as well.
NALCHBP premium rates for 2026 are as follows:
High Option Active Carriers Bi-Weekly
Self Only $121.14 Self Plus One $293.31 Self & Family $267.42
CDHP Active Carriers Bi-Weekly
Self Only $67.11 Self Plus One $152.63 Self & Family $165.21
High Option Retirees & Annuitants Monthly
Self Only $262.47 Self Plus One $635.51 Self & Family $579.41
CDHP Retirees & Annuitants Monthly
Self Only &145.40 Self Plus One $330.69 Self & Family $357.96
There are many benefits available to letter carriers in the NALCHBP. One example is Hinge Health. Hinge Health is an online coaching/therapy tool that works off an app on your phone to treat muscle, joint or tissue pain. Almost all carriers will experience some kind of pain during their careers and this is geared to relieve this. This and many other “value programs” are available and free in the NALCHBP. Some of the others are Healthy Heart, weight management programs, Your Health First for chronic illnesses, Maven, a women’s health and maternity plan and OSHI, a new digestive issue program. These and many other helpful plan options can be found at nalchbp.org.
A reminder to all that any changes of any kind during open season must be made through either Shared Services for active carriers or OPM for retirees. Stay healthy and Happy Joyous Holidays to all!
