Open Season 2024: A Lot to Digest
When I am seen by a healthcare provider or pharmacy the insurance card is often the first thing any provider asks for. After processing the charges to the plan, I often hear the comment, “wow, you have great insurance!” My coverages are with the NALC High Option Plan.
Open Season for the year 2024 begins on Monday November 13, 2023 and ends midnight on Monday December 11,2023. Most of you are aware that due to the postal reform act signed into law last year there are some changes coming for the year 2025. Please follow the following closely to help you sort this out.
For retirees who never signed up for Medicare Part B at the time of their retirement will have a penalty free opportunity. Normally a carrier who retired at 65 or after and did not sign up for Medicare part B would be penalized 10% for each year after if they tried to sign up later than allowed. From April 1, 2024 to October 1, 2024 any retiree, who did not sign up for Part B and is over age 65 will be allowed to sign up for Part B without a penalty. You will then pay the normal monthly premium for Part B but the USPS will pay the penalty portion of the premium as long as you and your surviving spouse live. It is important to note that any retiree that falls into this category is NOT required to sign up for Part B should they choose so. Your medical payments will continue as they now are. It is also important to note that if the member has passed away and the surviving spouse is still covered by the FEHB health plan, they too may use the open 6-month window to sign up for Part B penalty free. If you are now covered by a FEHB health plan, ideally NALCHBP, and receiving Medicare Part B you are not required to do anything during the 6-month window. BUT DO NOT cancel your Part B and then try to sign up for it again during the 6-month window because you will then be penalized throughout your Part B enrollment. Trying to save a few months of Part B premiums would not be worth it.
Once again, the NALCHBP has the best premiums cost to our members with excellent coverages, network, and wellness benefits. The 2024 rates are as follows:
ACTIVE MEMBERS
High Option per pay period
Self Only - $109.41
Self Plus One - $255.86
Self and Family - $221.79
CDHP per pay period
Self Only - $55.26
Self Plus One - $123.96
Self and Family - $134.19
RETIRED Members
High Option per month
Self Only-$237.05
Self Plus One-$554.36
Self and Family-$480.54
CDHP per month
Self Only-$119.72
Self Plus One-$268.59
Self and Family-$290.74
You may find all you need to get started in our plan by logging onto our website NALCHBP.org and see all that is available to you and your family. There you will find links to our provider network which allows you to find if your doctors, specialists, and care facilities are in our network. Once again it is the CIGNA Open Access Network. CVS/CAREMARK is our prescription drug partner. Mail order or pick up options for a 90-day supply of your prescriptions will save you money through CVS/CAREMARK. You can also receive any of your recommended preventative vaccinations at their locations as well.
Another longtime partner in the NALCHBP is the Optum Health provider network for behavioral, substance abuse and mental health services. Optum works in our High Option Plan to provide excellent coverages and help through the various services in their network. They are starting a new service beginning on 1/1/24 called BEND. It is a preventative coaching program available for members and their children of ages 1 through 26. Why is this important? In the past 2 years pediatric mental health claims have risen 65%! Think about all those children whose socialization skills and basic education needs were adversely affected by the Covid virus. These children and their parents are dealing with issues previous generations did not. BEND services are available via phone, televisit, and confidential texting called Talkspace. Appointments can be made in one to two days and are set up in one of three ways. Children ages 1 to 5 the coaching is directed to the parent/caregiver. Ages 6 to 12 it is a family focused visit. Ages 13-26 the focus is on the teen/young adult. That is where the Talkspace texting comes into great use. For example, a teen has a continuous texting dialog with their coaching professional for a week. That counts as one visit, one copay. This allows for this individual to get professional guidance when they need to anytime. BEND will also integrate the medical records with the child’s primary care physician, pediatrician and if need be school psychologist so the member does not have to be burdened with informing all the parties of treatments and updates. Coaching is free. Treatment by a psychologist in network are subject to normal network copays.
We have other partners in the NALCHBP to either treat your health or to keep you in good health. AMWELL is our virtual telehealth network. It is available in our high option plan and for a $10 copay you will receive 24-hour access to answer any issue you maybe experiencing. You will need to download the free mobile app for the NALCHBP through either google play or the apple store to access AMWELL
Hinge Health is a program for specific pain and injuries. This is especially useful given the physical and strenuous type of work Letter Carriers do daily. Virtual coaching allows for the member to do the exercising and therapy without having to leave home.
Healthy Heart allows for those who maybe at heart risk to monitor their blood pressure at home, track, understand and manage their heart health via an app on their own phone. The blood pressure monitor is free. Coming in 2024 is a program for cholesterol screening as well.
We also have Quit For Life for everyone who wishes and needs to quit smoking. It’s free in our High Option plan. Real Appeal is an online weight loss program that offers group and one on one coaching. Solutions for Caregivers, virtual Nutritional Counseling, virtual Women’s Health Services the services and options in our program keep growing.
This is really the tip of the iceberg so to speak. Invest a little time in giving the NALCHBP a good look over. You will find that this plan fits your needs, has extra services designed for you and your family and will save you money.
I wish you and your family the best for a joyous Thanksgiving and Holiday season. Please don’t forget to update your HIPPA forms!
