You are trying to compare the NRLCA rural carrier benefit plan to a multitude of plans in the USPS benefit plans. There are many quality plans at a lesser price than the RCBP. Go to OPM.gov for comparison of plan or another tool called Checkbook. Take the time and I'll guarantee you, you'll find better plans.
You can use this link without signing in and then skip to plans.
Am I understanding you correctly? I will turn 65 before my wife, and have to enroll in Medicare. Can she stay on the PSHB until she turns 65 as well ?When you turn 65 you can get Medicare. If you have a spouse or children to cover with health benefits you will still be able to. Either select self plus one or family coverage. Your individual health benefits will get better once Medicare is combined with your PSHB plan. Most of your deductibles and co pays will disappear. Some plans (like BCBS Basic) offer Part B rebates. There are also Medicare Advantage Plans that you can opt into while your family continues with the regular plan. Make sure whatever choice you make that your family will have sufficient coverage. I believe that if you continue working you can put off Medicare until you retire. If you stay in the PSHB system you will always pay the PSHB plan payment and an additional amount for Medicare Part B, when retired. For 2025 it will be $185 and that will come out of your Social Security check each month. Many PSHB plans offer a Medicare Advantage plan option that will give you additional benefits and various Part B rebates. Whatever you do, never cancel your PSHB coverage or you will not be able to get it back. If, at some point you want to leave the PSHB system, SUSPEND your coverage but DONT cancel it. OPM can answer questions as can Social Security for better guidance.
I retired at 62 and started Medicare Part A&B at 65 while my younger wife was covered by my regular plan and I chose a Medicare Advantage option within the same plan. I had BCBS Basic when I retired but switched to GEHA Standard when I turned 65 because it was cheaper and had a Medicare Advantage option for myself and sufficient coverage through the regular plan for my wife. I hope this helps. You might think about joining NARFE as they have lots of information to help guide you, and experts that you can contact.
NARFE – National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Associationwww.narfe.org
Is this 185 monthly for part B on top of 300+ for BCBS basic ?When you turn 65 you can get Medicare. If you have a spouse or children to cover with health benefits you will still be able to. Either select self plus one or family coverage. Your individual health benefits will get better once Medicare is combined with your PSHB plan. Most of your deductibles and co pays will disappear. Some plans (like BCBS Basic) offer Part B rebates. There are also Medicare Advantage Plans that you can opt into while your family continues with the regular plan. Make sure whatever choice you make that your family will have sufficient coverage. I believe that if you continue working you can put off Medicare until you retire. If you stay in the PSHB system you will always pay the PSHB plan payment and an additional amount for Medicare Part B, when retired. For 2025 it will be $185 and that will come out of your Social Security check each month. Many PSHB plans offer a Medicare Advantage plan option that will give you additional benefits and various Part B rebates. Whatever you do, never cancel your PSHB coverage or you will not be able to get it back. If, at some point you want to leave the PSHB system, SUSPEND your coverage but DONT cancel it. OPM can answer questions as can Social Security for better guidance.
I retired at 62 and started Medicare Part A&B at 65 while my younger wife was covered by my regular plan and I chose a Medicare Advantage option within the same plan. I had BCBS Basic when I retired but switched to GEHA Standard when I turned 65 because it was cheaper and had a Medicare Advantage option for myself and sufficient coverage through the regular plan for my wife. I hope this helps. You might think about joining NARFE as they have lots of information to help guide you, and experts that you can contact.
NARFE – National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
Yes, she should be able to. I was in the same situation as you. I turned 65 4 years before my wife and she was covered by my self plus one plan and I was covered by the plan along with Medicare A&B. It's great coverage when combining with Medicare and all of your copays and deductibles go away. The Part B deduction for 2026 will be $202.90 each month and that is in addition to your PSHB premium. I switched from BCBS Basic because it was getting too expensive. There are many less expensive plans that give very good coverage.
That's what I want to know!
Fwiw, I'm a rural carrier 35 years, use APWU health plan and no, lol, I'm not in their union. However, I do believe there's an annual 35+/-$ associate member fee.
