Postal

Compare your NALC Health Benefit Plans: High Option vs. CDHP

Choose from two powerful options backed by the NALC Health Benefit Plan. Whether you want predictable copays and a lower deductible on services through the High Option Plan, or a higher deductible with a Personal Care Account (PCA) through the CDHP plan, this page helps you make the right choice.

Benefits at a Glance High Option & CDHP

Your health plan choice matters. Here’s a quick summary of the benefits and differences you’ll see with NALC HBP as your main plan.

Feature
High Option Plan
Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP)
Plan Fundamentals
A traditional fee-for-service plan with predictable costs for many services.
A consumer-driven plan with a higher deductible, paired with a Personal Care Account (PCA).
Your Premiums
Generally higher.
Generally lower.
Meeting Your Deductible
Lower annual deductible, which applies to some services before cost-sharing begins.
Higher deductible, but your PCA helps with eligible costs first.
Personal Care Account (PCA)
Yes. Annual contribution for eligible medical, mental health, and prescription costs.
Who Might Prefer This Plan
Those who want predictable costs, receive medical care regularly, or anticipate major health needs.
Those who are generally healthy and prefer lower premiums while managing a health fund.

Your 2025 Postal Monthly Premium rates

Your Enrollment
NALC HBP High Option (Code)
NALC HBP CDHP (Code)
Self Only
$238.29 (77A)
$128.11 (77D)
Self Plus One
$576.50 (77C)
$290.08 (77F)
Self and Family
$516.58 (77B)
$314.00 (77E)

Comparing Your Benefits: High Option vs. CDHP

Enrollment Type
NALC HBP High Option
NALC HBP CDHP
Self Only
$300
In-Network =$2,000
Out-of-Network = $4,000
Self Plus One / Family
$600
In-Network = $4,000
Out-of-Network = $8,000
Feature
NALC HBP High Option
NALC CDHP
Personal Care Account (PCA)
N/A
Self Only = $1,200
Self Plus One / Family = $2,400
How PCA Works
N/A
Use your PCA to cover everyday health needs—from prescriptions to checkups and counseling sessions—and everything you spend from it goes toward your deductible.
Rollover of Unused PCA Funds
N/A
Unused PCA funds roll over to the next year.
Maximum PCA Rollover
(Rollover only applies if the member stays in the CDHP plan.)
N/A
Self Only: $5,000  
Self Plus One / Family: $10,000
Feature
NALC HBP High Option
NALC HBP CDHP
Self Only
In- Network = $3,500
Out-of-Network = $5,000
In-Network = $6,600
Out-of-Network = $12,000
Self Plus One / Self and Family
In-Network = $7,000
Out-of-Network = $10,000
In-Network = $12,000
Out-of-Network = $24,000
Feature
NALC HBP High Option
NALC HBP CDHP
Preventive Care In-Network
The Plan covers preventive care at 100%.
The Plan covers preventive care at 100%.
Feature
NALC HBP High Option
NALC HBP CDHP
Primary Care & Specialty Visits (In-Network)
$25 copay per visit.
After your PCA and deductible — you pay 20% of the Plan allowance.
Feature
NALC HBP High Option
NALC HBP CDHP
Inpatient Hospital Admissions (In-Network)
$350 copayment per admission.
No copayment is due when services are related to the routine delivery of a newborn.
After your PCA and deductible - you pay 20% of the Plan allowance.
Feature
NALC HBP High Option
NALC HBP CDHP
Complete Maternity Obstetrical Care (In-Network)
You pay nothing.
After your PCA and deductible — you pay 20% of the Plan allowance.
Treatment for postpartum depression or depression during pregnancy (In-Network)
You pay nothing up to four visit limit.
Not Included.
Certified Doula (Per pregnancy)
Nothing up to the $500 Plan maximum. All charges after we pay $500.
Not included.
Feature
NALC HBP High Option
NALC HBP CDHP
Outpatient Professional Service Visits for Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment (In-Network)
$25 copay per visit.
After your PCA and deductible — you pay 20% of the Plan allowance.
Tier
NALC HBP High Option
NALC HBP CDHP
Generic Drugs (Network retail)
20% of the Plan Allowance (10% for asthma, diabetes & hypertension)
$10 ($5 for asthma, diabetes & hypertension)
Formulary Brand Drugs (Network retail)
30% of the Plan Allowance
$40
Non-Formulary Brand Drugs (Network retail)
50% of the Plan Allowance
$60

Prescription Out-of-Pocket Maximum

Tier
NALC HBP High Option
NALC HBP CDHP
Self Only
$3,100
$6,600 (includes medical services)
Self Plus One / Self and Family
$5,000
$12,000 (includes medical services)

* For Postal retirees with Medicare: If you’re in the SilverScript PDP or MAPD, all qualifying out-of-pocket amounts for Medicare-covered care also count toward your PSHB maximum. Once the $2,000 prescription cap is reached (for PDP), your covered medications are paid in full for the remainder of the year.


Your guide to all the benefits— Access the 2025 NALC HBP brochure today.

How NALC Plans and Medicare Work Together

If you’re a Postal annuitant with Medicare, here’s how the plans coordinate.

  • High Option: Often pays remaining costs after Medicare, meaning
    little or no out-of-pocket.

  • CDHP: Medicare pays first, then PCA applies, then deductible.

  • Both plans: include SilverScript® Prescription Drug Plan (EGWP)
    for Part D.

Compare how both plans support your Medicare benefits — and decide what fits your life and budget best.

Your Health Info, On the Go: Digital Tools & Resources

Managing your health plan should be convenient. Access your NALC HBP benefits and important health information whenever and wherever you need it with these helpful digital tools.

Digital Tool
NALC High Option
NALC CDHP
Key Features & Access
NALC HBP Member Access Portal & Mobile App
Manage claims, ID cards, and partner programs — all in the NALC HBP App.
*CDHP Members can only manage ID Cards
Download the NALC HBP App
myCigna® Portal & App
Find doctors, check claims, and estimate costs in myCigna
*HO Members cannot check claims through MyCigna
Explore myCigna
CVS Caremark® Portal & App (myCVS™ On the Go)
Manage your prescriptions—refills, history, and local pharmacies—all in one place.
Manage Prescriptions with CVS
NALC HBP Telehealth (powered by Amwell®)
Get care from home with NALC HBP Telehealth — When and where you need it
Urgent care ($10), dermatology ($10), nutrition and women’s health (free).
Connect with NALC HBP Telehealth
MDLive (via myCigna.com)
Get care from home with MDLive — When and where you need it
Urgent care, primary care, dermatology and behavioral care. 10% of the Plan allowance after deductible.
Connect with MDLIVE
Cost Estimation Tools
(via myCigna)
(via myCigna)
Estimate costs for physicians, hospitals, and procedures.
Online Provider Directories
Locate medical, mental health, and pharmacy network providers.

We Support Your Well-being

Your health journey is important to us! Both NALC HBP plans offer a fantastic range of programs and rewards to help you live your healthiest life.

High Option
CDHP
Hinge Health® (For Back & Joint Pain)
Hello Heart® (For Cardiac Care)
Diabetes Care Management (Transform Care)
Maven (Women's & Family Health)
Weight Loss Program (Real Appeal®)
Weight Loss Program (Cigna)
CVS Rx Weight Management Program (For Weight Loss Medications)
Mental Health Resources (Optum® Network & Tools)
Mental Health Resources (Cigna® Network & Tools)
Smoking Cessation Program
24-Hour Health Information Line
Wellness Rewards Program (Earn $$ for healthy actions)
Dental Discounts (CignaPlus Savings®)
Vaccine Administration Network
MinuteClinic® Access

What Our Members Say: Real Stories, Real Satisfaction

We’re proud to support our postal family — and the feeling is mutual.

"The High Option Plan gave me such peace of mind during my pregnancy. Knowing my hospital delivery would be covered with no copay was a huge relief!"

Sarah M
Active Employee, High Option Plan

"As a retiree on Medicare, switching to the High Option Plan's Aetna Medicare Advantage was a game-changer. The Part B premium savings and the extra benefits like dental and vision are fantastic!"

John B.
Annuitant with Medicare, High Option Plan

"I'm pretty healthy, so the CDHP's lower premiums and the PCA are perfect for me. I love that my unused PCA funds roll over – it’s like a little health savings account!"

Ready to Join Us? Enrolling is Easy!

Whether it’s Open Season or you’ve had a Qualifying Life Event (QLE), enrolling in the NALC Health Benefit Plan is easy.

Here’s what to do:

  • During Open Season
    Follow the PSHB enrollment steps by visiting https://health-benefits.opm.gov/pshb/, or you can call 844-451-1261.

  • After a QLE
    Contact your employing office if you are actively working, or OPM if you are retired to report the change and update your benefits

No matter when you enroll, choosing the NALC Health Benefit Plan is a positive step toward better health coverage and peace of mind.

We're Here for You

Have a question about the NALC Health Benefit Plans? Need a little help to understand something? We're always happy to assist!

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ representative
The Plan adds money to your PCA yearly. You use it for eligible costs first. Unused funds roll over.
It rolls over, up to a maximum of $5,000 (Self) or $10,000 (Self Plus One / Self and Family.
Yes—during Open Season or after a Qualifying Life Event (QLE).
Medicare enrollees in the High Option plan will see minimal out-of-pocket expenses, and the potential for Medicare Part B premium reimbursements or reductions.