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Big four

Understanding health coverage types

USPS wants employees to know about the four types of health plans available during open season.

Do you understand the different types of health plans available to Postal Service employees?

You can enroll in four types of plans during the annual open season benefits enrollment period:

  • Health maintenance organizations, which provide care from in-network plan physicians and hospitals located in particular geographic or service areas
  • Preferred provider organizations, which offer fee-for-service plans that allow you to choose physicians, hospitals and other health care providers both inside and outside of a network
  • Consumer-driven health plans, which give users freedom in spending health care dollars and offer plan-funded health reimbursement arrangements that may be used to pay certain up-front medical costs
  • High-deductible health plans, which offer comprehensive coverage for high-cost medical procedures and a tax break to save for future medical expenses through health savings accounts

USPS encourages you to learn about the available plans to find one that best fits your needs and the needs of your family.

This year’s open season runs from Nov. 9-Dec. 14.

The Open Season LiteBlue page has additional information, as well as a link to Checkbook’s Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees, a resource that can help you evaluate and compare specific plans.