It’s Open Season Time for Health Benefits
Your opportunity to review your health plan is upon us. Open season begins Monday November 8, 2021 and ends at 11:59 PM Monday December 13, 2021. If you’re searching for a new plan the NALC Health Plan (NALCHBP) is a top plan for career members.
The NALCHBP partners with different provider networks for different medical needs. The CIGNA Open Access Plus Network is our provider for doctors, hospitals, specialists and care facilities. CIGNA is a nationwide network and meets or exceeds any other plan in the Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) plan choices available. By going to our website NALCHBP.org and clicking on the provider link you will be able to see if your doctor and other providers are in the network.
Optum is our provider for mental health, substance abuse, smoking cessation and other disorders.
CVS/Caremark is our prescription partner. Members get low copays when receiving a 90-day prescription. If you are on or are going to be on Medicare you do not have to sign up for Medicare Part D. The prescription plan in NALCHBP meets or exceeds Medicare coverages.
AMWELL is a separate network partnered with us for tele visits 24 hours a day 7 days a week. For a $10 copay you can get fast and professional advice and help without leaving home.
Our High Option premium rates for 2022 are as follows:
Active members:
Self Only: $98.28 per pay period
Self Plus One: $234.35 per pay period
Self & Family: $202.02 per pay period
Retirees: Self Only: $212.94 per month
Self Plus One: $507.76 per month
Self & Family: $437.71 per month
As you can see Self Plus One premiums cost more than Self & Family. If it’s just you and a spouse or you and a child you do not have to sign up for self plus one. Save yourself some money and sign up for self and family in our plan.
A great provision of our new National Agreement allows for our CCA’s to be converted to career status after 24 months on the job. This lets the converted carrier to sign up for any FEHB plan including the NALC plan. This also can cause confusion as to the open season. If you are a CCA who will be converted to PTF in the 2022 calendar year do not change your health plan during open season. When you’re converted to career you have 60 days to sign up for a FEHB plan. The same goes for any carrier who will be turning 26 years of age in 2022 and are presently on a parent’s health coverage. You have 60 days to sign up for a FEHB plan. However, in both cases be aware that the plans you have been a part of will cease coverage in 28 days and 30 days respectively so it’s better to join up sooner rather than later. If you’re a CCA not eligible for conversion in 2022 it’s advisable to stay with the USPS noncareer plan. It’s the only one that the USPS contributes to the premium costs for a CCA.
There is also a new program specifically with letter carriers in mind. Hinge puts members 1 on 1 with a coach/physical therapist to help relieve tightness and or pain in the major muscle groups. From neck to foot, it’s personalized care incorporating exercise therapy and educational awareness to help relieve the aches and pains we put our bodies through doing this job. It’s no cost to NALCHBP members and their dependents 18 years of age or older.
The plan also has wellness incentives of various types. Members will receive a debit type card from TASC. Don’t lose this or throw it out. It’s used like a debit card that has funds added to it by the plan when you participate in the incentives. These programs are Healthy Pregnancies Healthy Babies, Quit for Life for tobacco cessation, Biometric Screening, and Your Health First Disease Management which helps people with chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and Crohn’s disease to name a few. You also get incentive dollars for getting your annual flu shot, pneumococcal vaccine and a Covid vaccine. One of the 3 different choices you have for taking the Health Risk Assessment on the plan’s website also may be applied to your TASC card. The funds on TASC can be used for copays, certain over the counter medications and other benefits. How this benefit works and the dollar amounts each incentive works are available at the NALCHBP.org site.
The NALC Health Plan has so many benefits beyond just outstanding health coverage. Go to the website NALCHBP.org and look at the brochure of benefits. I am at the branch on Wednesday nights from 5:30 to 8:30 if you have questions or need help. I wish you all a healthy and happy Thanksgiving and Holiday season.
