Time is Running Out!

Postal Service Health Benefits Program Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period

As a result of the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, a Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period (SEP) began on April 1, 2024, and ends Sept. 30, 2024. This SEP gives USPS annuitants and their covered family members who are entitled to Medicare Part A, but are not currently enrolled in Medicare Part B, a one-time opportunity to enroll in Medicare Part B without incurring the Late Enroll Penalty (LEP).

Eligible annuitants and their covered family members should have received a special mailing from the USPS that includes an Eligibility Notice for Medicare Part B SEP, an Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B, and a special Business Reply Envelope to return the required forms to a special PO Box. Enrollment in Medicare Part B during this SEP is optional. If you enroll in Medicare during this SEP, your Medicare Part B coverage effective date will be Jan. 1, 2025.

lf you are enrolled in Medicare Part B as of Jan. 1, 2025, you and any Medicare-eligible family members covered by your Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) enrollment must remain enrolled in Part B to remain eligible for PSHB coverage.

Medicare Part B has a monthly income-based premium for all who enroll. The 2024 Medicare Part B premium is $174.90 per eligible family member, based on an income of less than or equal to $103,000 filing single tax return ($206,000 joint filing).

If you enroll in Medicare Part B, you will need to pay monthly Medicare Part B premiums. The premiums are usually taken out of your monthly Social Security or Office of Personnel Management annuity payment. lf you do not receive any of these payments, Medicare will send you a quarterly bill for your Medicare Part B premiums. Go to medicare.gov/basics/costs for more information on Medicare Part B premiums. Certain Medicare Part B enrollees will pay higher premiums based on higher income.

If you did not receive the SEP packet in the mail and you believe you are eligible to enroll in Medicare Part B during this SEP; or you have questions about Medicare Part B or the PSHB program, call the Postal Service at 1-833-712-7742 or send an email to retirementbenefits@usps.gov.

Requests to Terminate Part B Coverage

If you enroll in Part B during this SEP and later decide that you do not want or need the Medicare Part B coverage, you can request a termination from the Social Security Administration prior to the effective date, Jan. 1, 2025.

lf your termination request is made before Jan. 1, 2025, you will not owe any Part B premiums and you will maintain your eligibility for PSHB coverage. lf your request is made after Jan. 1, 2025, you will no longer be eligible for the PSHB Program unless a Medicare Part B exception applies. You will also be responsible for any Part B and PSHB premiums due through the month of termination. If you have questions regarding termination of Part B or if you would like to terminate your Part B enrollment, call Social Security at 1-800- 772-1213. TTY users call 1-800-325-0778.

Election Matters

APWU Family – our way of life, our families, our communities, our health, and our future are under attack. As union and community activists, as people of goodwill who have worked long and hard to build this country, we must do everything within our powers to make sure our families, our neighbors, our friends, and our coworkers participate in Vote-by-Mail or vote in person in November 2024 to make sure that Kamala Harris is elected President of the United States. We can’t just stop with Kamala; we must also elect officials up and down the ballot who will support our issues! ■