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Learn more about Medicare and find additional resources here.
UnitedHealthcare’s Retiree Advantage plan is approved by OPM to participate in the Postal Service Health Benefit (PSHB) program in 2025.
What is the Special Enrollment Period offered by the PSHB?
As part of the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, you may be eligible to participate in the PSHB Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Medicare Part B. The PSHB SEP applies to certain Postal Service annuitants and family members who were entitled to Medicare Part A, but not enrolled in Medicare Part B as of Jan 1, 2024.
During the PSHB SEP, eligible annuitants and family members may enroll in Medicare Part B without paying a late enrollment penalty. The one-time PSHB SEP is from April 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2024. Individuals eligible for the PSHB SEP will receive notification by U.S. Mail™ in March 2024.
Why should I consider electing Part B in the Special Enrollment Period?
Having Medicare Part B gives you more choices in the PSHB program. It’s also the first step in being able to choose the UnitedHealthcare Retiree Advantage plan for Federal and Postal retirees! You must have Medicare Part B to be eligible for the Retiree Advantage plan. The UnitedHealthcare Retiree Advantage plan includes $150 per month towards your Medicare Part B premium.
How do I enroll during the SEP?
Complete the provided CMS-40B form, Application for Enrollment in Medicare - Part B (Medical Insurance) and mail it with the copy of the notification letter in the return envelope you receive in March 2024. You must return the form via U.S. Mail and the return envelope must be postmarked by Sept. 30, 2024.
If I received a notification letter for the PSHB SEP, do I have to enroll in Medicare Part B?
If you are an annuitant of the Postal Service, you are not required to enroll in Medicare Part B. If you are a covered family member of an annuitant, please refer to your notification letter to determine if you have the option, or are required to, enroll in Medicare Part B. As a general rule, if the primary enrollee for health coverage is enrolled in Medicare Part B, eligible family members must also enroll in Medicare Part B when they become eligible.
What happens once I return my enrollment form and copy of my notification letter?
Once your enrollment is received, it will initiate your Medicare Part B coverage with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2025. Please refer to your PSHB SEP notification letter to determine if Medicare Part B enrollment is an option or a requirement for you to remain eligible for the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program.
What happens if my individual enrollment period overlaps with the PSHB SEP?
If your individual enrollment period (IEP)* for Medicare Part B overlaps with the PSHB SEP, your IEP will take precedence and your enrollment for Medicare Part B will become effective the month following receipt of your CMB-40 enrollment form.
*An individual enrollment period will occur when a person first becomes eligible to receive Medicare benefits. In most cases this coincides with an individual’s 65th birthday, for a total of 7 months; 3 months prior to the birthday, the month of, and 3 months following the birthday. For individuals who are still working at the time of eligibility, your individual special enrollment period begins on the date of retirement and concludes 8 months following individual’s retirement date.
What if I misplaced or did not receive my SEP notification letter?
If you have misplaced the notification letter mailed to you or believe that you are eligible to participate in the PSHB and did not receive notification letter, please contact the PSHB Navigator Help Line’s toll-free number at 833-712-PSHB (7742), or email retirementbenefits@usps.gov.
What is Medicare Part D?
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage for people with Medicare offered by private health insurance companies.
Who is eligible for Part D Prescription Drug coverage?
Retirees with Medicare Part A only, Part B only or Retirees with both Medicare Parts A & B
Who is eligible for the UnitedHealthcare Retiree Advantage plan?
Retirees with both Medicare A and Medicare Part B
How will my prescription drug coverage change in the PSHB program?
Postal retirees and eligible dependents who are retired with Medicare Part A only, retired with Medicare Part B only, or retired with Medicare Parts A&B will be auto enrolled into Part D prescription drug coverage within the PSHB program. UnitedHealthcare PSHB Health Plan members with Medicare Parts A & B will have the option of choosing between the Retiree Advantage plan (which includes Medical and Part D prescription drug coverage with a Part B premium subsidy) or the Part D prescription drug coverage alongside the regular PSHB medical coverage.
What if I prefer to enroll in the UnitedHealthcare Retiree Advantage Plan but don’t have Medicare Part B?
You may be eligible for the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) being offered as a part of the PSHB program, which will allow you to elect Medicare Part B with no Late Enrollment Penalty. Please see the SEP FAQs listed above.
I use a prescription coupon or copay assistance program, will I still be able to use them on the Retiree Advantage plan or the Part D prescription plan?
Most prescription coupons or copay assistance programs cannot be used in conjunction with Part D prescription drug coverage.
What is an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), and how will it affect me?
IRMAA is an amount Social Security determines you may need to pay in addition to your monthly Part B and Part D premium if your modified adjusted gross income on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago is above a certain limit. If you are assessed a Part B IRMAA by Social Security, and auto enrolled into Part D prescription coverage under PSHB or elect to enroll in the UnitedHealthcare Retiree Advantage plan, then you may incur an additional Part D IRMAA when enrolling in this plan.
For many people, your income decreases upon retirement. You will want to monitor your income tax filing and, the first year that you fall below the IRMAA threshold, you are encouraged to contact Medicare and request that they perform another two-year lookback. This will help decrease or eliminate the IRMAA amount that you may be charged.
Beneficiaries who file individual tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: | Beneficiaries who file joint tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: | Total Monthly Part B Premium Amount | Total Monthly Part D Premium Amount |
Less than or equal to $103,000 |
Less than or equal to $206,000 |
$174.70 | $0.00 |
Greater than $103,000 and less than or equal to $129,000 | Greater than $206,000 and less than or equal to $258,000 | $244.60 | $12.90 |
Greater than $129,000 and less than or equal to $161,000 | Greater than $258,000 and less than or equal to $322,000 | $349.40 | $33.90 |
Greater than $161,000 and less than or equal to $193,000 | Greater than $322,000 and less than or equal to $386,000 | $454.20 |
$53.80 |
Greater than $193,000 and less than $500,000 | Greater than $386,000 and less than $750,000 | $559.00 | $74.20 |
Greater than or equal to $500,000 | Greater than or equal to $750,000 | $594.00 | $81.00 |
How does Medicare work?
View information about the Medicare program, including coverage options, eligibility, enrollment, costs and benefits.
How do I file an appeal or grievance?
Get a detailed overview of the Appeals and Grievance process.
Medical appeals and grievances
Drug coverage appeals and grievances
As a member of an FEHB (Federal Employee Health Benefit) plan, there are additional avenues available to you once you’ve exhausted the UnitedHealthcare appeals and grievance process. For more information about the additional options, please reference section 8 of your UnitedHealthcare Plan Brochure or OPM’s website.
How do I report fraud or abuse?
Find out how to identify fraud and abuse and learn steps you can take to prevent and report it.