High-deductible health plans are one of the options available to Postal Service employees during this year’s open season.
Here are some facts about the plans, also called HDHPs:
• HDHPs generally offer lower premiums than other plans. This means you’ll have less money taken out of your paycheck.
• HDHPs give you greater flexibility. While HDHPs have higher annual deductibles and out-of-pocket limits than other Federal Employees Health Benefits Program plans, they have features that help you pay your medical expenses, including the ability to pay expenses on a pretax or tax-deductible basis.
• HDHPs work with HSAs and HRAs. With HDHPs, a portion of your premium or a credit is automatically deposited into a health savings account (HSA) or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).
This is money you can use for out-of-pocket health care costs or to save for future medical expenses. HDHPs combine an HSA or HRA with the traditional coverage offered by health maintenance organization and fee-for-service plans.
Any unused money in your HSA rolls over from year to year and stays with the employee, even if they change plans or leave the Postal Service.
The Open Season LiteBlue page has more information.
Open season, the annual period when you can make changes to your health coverage, runs through Dec. 11.